Looking for the best laptops for programming students, you came to the right place.
If you are a programmer, web designer, or just a beginner coder, the device that helps you to compile code easily is a laptop. A laptop with high-end performance, great battery life, and an excellent keyboard will by far be the best choice for you.
It may be possible that you have doubts about which laptop is best for programming. Do I look for an expensive machine that is overkill for coding or a big display size machine that offers wide space and how much RAM I need to work hassle-free and which processor is suitable for me?
As a programmer, you need to work with different languages like Java, C++, HTML, C#, PHP, SWIFT, and more. As much as you rely on this language, you rely on a device that helps you write this program. Further, it would be best if you had a portable laptop so you can easily carry it anywhere.
There are plenty of choices in the market, but finding the best laptops for programming students is still challenging; there are some factors that you should consider while picking the best laptop. So, don’t miss to check out those at the end of this article.
Best Laptops For Programming Students
1) Dell XPS 15
- Display – 15.6 inch 4K and Resolution of 3840 X 2400 Pixels
- RAM – 32 GB
- SSD – 1 TB
- Battery Life – 10 hours
- Processor – Intel Core i7 10750H
- Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
Dell XPS 15 is by far the best programming laptop right now available in the market. Every year Dell upgrades the XPS design, and every time a new device is better than its predecessor. Lauded with a 1.3 GHz Intel Core i7 10750H processor and integrated with eight-core and 12 MB of intel smart Cache along with up to 5.1GHz turbo boost, Dell XPS 15 is the best 15-inch machine, period.
The design is stylish, thinner, lighter, and comes with smaller bezels. The display has acquired a 15.6 inch 4K touch screen and resolution of 3840 X 2400 pixels that lets you operate two tabs side by side. If your gaming programmer, the 4K display makes it easier to test gaming performance with an accurate display.
The inclusion of 32 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1 TB SSD makes it convenient to run different language programs and test apps without putting pressure on your head. When it comes to graphics, Dell XPS 15 seems like a catch by providing a high-performance Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 TI graphics card that excels on vivid colors and accurate images.
Dell does offer some great port options by giving 2 USB 3.1 with Thunderbolt 3, 1 USB C 3.1, 1 SD card reader, and Combi audio jack. When we hear that Dell has equipped Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 on the inside, we fell in love all over again. Fast Wi-Fi ensures a fast, smooth, and reliable internet connection.
Further, it inherited a 1080p IR webcam that lets you do video conferencing more clearly and record video with clear and bright pictures. If you are a selfie lover, then this might be a top-notch choice for you.
Speaking about battery life, Dell XPS 15 gives 10 hours of battery juice out of the box. As a programmer, you need to secure your data more frequently, and with Dell’s breathtaking features like face ID or fingerprint scanner, you get everything a serious power machine requires.
Coming to the keyboard, this year, Dell has made their keycaps 9.7 percent larger than last year and make keys snappy with 1.33 mm of travel. One of the users has maintained 140 words per minute with high accuracy. The touchpad is exceptional and gives a smooth and flawless feel.
It runs on Windows operating systems and is easily compatible with all of your favorite programming software. The biggest knock against the Dell XPS 15 is it’s really expensive, and many folks can’t afford it, but if budget is not an object for you, then this workhorse is the top pick for you.
Surely, it’s expensive, and we don’t say that it’s the best available in the market, but a 15-inch laptop with low weights, high performance, and long battery life makes Dell XPS 15 our top pick for the best laptops for programming students.
2) HP Spectre X360
- Display – 15.6 Inch 4K Touchscreen and Resolution of 3840 X 2160 pixels
- RAM – 16 GB
- SSD – 512 GB
- Battery Life – 12 hours
- Processor – Intel Core i7 – 1165G7
- Graphics – Intel Iris Xe Graphics
HP laptops are always the top choice among professionals because of their astonishing design, playable frame, and durable look. HP Spectre X 360 is a new and improved machine offered by HP.
It packs with some of the latest specs and functionality that a programming laptop requires. It is armed with a fast 1.3 GHz Intel Core i7 -1165G7 quad-core processor that offers 8MB of Intel Smart Cache and up to 4.7 GHz with Turbo Boost.
The design of HP Spectre X360 is just as sleek and thin as ever before and makes it one of the best portable options out there. It comes with an integrated Intel Iris Plus graphics card, which is ideal for content creation but not as high-performing as NVIDIA graphics.
As far as memory is concerned, HP offers a base model starting from 16 GB of LPDDR4 RAM that has 3200 MHz. In terms of storage; it is tailored with 512 GB of SSD that gives enough space to store and collect important programming data and files.
The screen has adapted a 15.6 inch 4K touch display and resolution of 3840 X 2160 pixels that gives enough space to work.
This 2 in 1 laptop can easily convert into a tablet and allows you to enjoy a touch screen experience. Many 2 in 1 laptops come with a big weight, but the new HP Spectre X360 only weighs 3.85 pounds, making it extremely portable for traveling.
The keyboard has a spacious and tenkeyless key that is also a joy to use, and large keys are easy to type. Further, the trackpad definitely stands out with a wide touch area and satisfyingly firm click. The keyboard does not include a Numpad, which is a problem with every 13-inch laptop. Though, keys are still fast and reliable for compile code and fast typing.
HP has scrapped this baby with HP TrueVision HD 1080p IR Webcam that evokes a new reign among selfie lovers. Moreover, the camera has noticeable Face ID features that let your security to the next level.
Usually, 2 in 1 laptops come with long battery life, and this workhorse is no exception. With a full charge and high brightness, it gives up to 12 hours of long battery juice, and it can go even further with low brightness.
For connectivity, it has Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 and Bluetooth 5.0 technology. Even though it has the latest Wi-Fi drivers, it does lack an ethernet port inside.
Overall, HP Spectre 360 is carefully curated and degraded for content creators and programmers, but it comes with a big price tag.
3) Apple Macbook Air
- Display – 13.3 Inch True Retina tone display and resolution of 2560 X 1600 pixels
- RAM – 8 GB
- SSD – 256 GB
- Battery Life – up to 20 hours
- Processor – Apple M1
- Graphics – Integrated 7 core GPU
This year Apple has made game-changing upgrades by ditching an Intel processor with its own M1 chip on its lovable Apple Macbook Air. Macbook Air is known for its thin, light, and powerful performance, and when equipped with an M1 chip, it’s a revolutionary step towards the laptop’s future.
Apple Macbook Air introduces a new and fast Apple M1 processor that comes with an eight-core and Boosts CPU speed up to 3.5X faster than claimed by Apple. When it comes to graphics, it has an integrated seven-core GPU, which enhances graphics performance up to 5X faster.
The display has retained its 13.3-inch size and pixels of 2560 X 1600 pixels. However, if you have a splurge to spend, then Apple offers a 16 inch MacBook air with the latest M1 chip.
Moreover, the display has a true Retina tone along with a backlit LED and IPS panel. Apple laptops have always been lightweight and portable, and this year MacBook air is no exception. It weighs only 2.8 pounds.
In terms of memory, Apple has paired it with 8 GB of unified PDDR4X RAM with 4266 MHz. Honestly, when you purchase Apple products, you don’t have to worry about RAM or anything. They are precisely crafted for providing high-end performance even with low RAM.
For many years, Apple has been maligned for its keyboard, but earlier this year, Apple has made significant improvements in its keyboard and comes with a greater and faster keyboard design than ever before. The new magic keyboard really feels smooth and lovely to work on, feeling tactile and responsive despite how flat the keys are.
As far as storage is concerned, Apple provides 256 GB of storage out of the box, and you can configure up to 2TB. For connectivity, it has 2 Thunderbolt 3 (USB C) and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
One thing that still needs to change is the Apple webcam, which only supports 720p. At this price segment, many competitors offer 1080p. Performance-wise, it runs a smooth and powerful OS that pours some extra benefits for Apple users.
The battery life in the new Macbook Air has the longest battery life of any Macbook Air yet that allows you to do 15 hours of wireless web browsing, 15 hours of video, and 20 hours of video. The battery component is one of the features that folks find very interesting about this new and improved Macbook Air.
For programmers who work with big companies and always worry about their data breaches, Apple Macbook Air is a top-notch choice for you. Its security advancement and safety features ensure that your data always stay safe and only accessible to you.
To sum up, the new Apple Macbook Air is the best product that is worth every penny. If you are a beginner programmer or new to coding, this is the best laptop for programming students.
4) Acer Swift 3
- Display – 14 inch Display with 1920 X 1080 Pixels
- RAM – 8 GB
- SSD – 512GB
- Battery Life – up to 9 hours
- Processor – AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
- Graphics – AMD Radeon Graphics
Acer Swift 3 is one of the affordable laptops (Under $700) for programming that offers a stunning display and fast performance.
Despite its low price tag, this flagship is the most valuable laptop to date. Its equipped with a mighty Ryzen 7 5700u Processor and delivers stunning performance during your all programming tasks.
For graphics, Acer gives equipped it with Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics and produce vivid colors with accurate brightness.
Coming to the screen, Acer gives a 14-inch display size with a resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels. Moreover, the display has a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 16:9 aspect ratio,300 nits, and 100% sRGB.
The display of Swift 3 is gorgeous, reliable, and probably the best out there. The 100% sRGB allows you to see vivid colors and videos precisely.
One knock against the laptop is that it comes with 8 GB of DDR4 RAM which doesn’t Allow to upgrade the memory in the future.
In terms of storage, Acer offers 512 GB of SSD under the hood. Keep in mind that you can always upgrade your storage whenever required. Acer traded off some important port options at a low price tag and only included two USB C 3.1 and headset jack.
For Wi-Fi connectivity, it offers the usual Wi-Fi 6 that is reliable and fast.
The keyboard is quite impressive and the key travels at 1.2 mm and gives quick feedback during fast typing. During typing, keys don’t make any sound or unnecessary jangle.
The machine has a quiet and cool fan that lets you do your work without making any sound. However, if you play AAA games or do intensive tasks or high programming levels, the fan does spin up to audible levels.
The battery life of Acer Swift 3 is is impressive despite its price tag give up to 9 hours of battery juice with a single charge. In our experience, Acer Swift 3 is the right pick for those who want a little bit of everything, starting from a stunning display to long battery life all in budget.
Overall, this baby can do anything a good flagship laptop requires at the same price or less price.
5) Lenovo Legion 5
- Display – 15.6 inch and resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels
- RAM – 8 GB
- SSD – 256 GB + 1 TB HDD
- Battery Life – up to 6 hours
- Processor – AMD Ryzen 5 4600 H
- Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti 4GB GDDR6
Lenovo Legion 5 comes with an affordable design and sturdier look. It is powered by AMD Ryzen 5 4600H Mobile processor and quickly does your programming task. It pairs with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti 4GB GDDR6 graphics card that enhances your viewing experience.
The display has adapted 15.6-inch size and a resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels and 2560 nits anti-glare. Further, it has a refresh rate of 120Hz. Lenovo offers base models starting from 8 GB DDR4 RAM and can go up to 16GB.
For storage, Lenovo gives 256 GB SSD and 1TB HDD out of the box. The SSD can be upgradable, but with a 1TB HDD, you don’t need to spend extra money on it. Basically, Lenovo Legion 5 is a gaming laptop, so it can easily handle everything you throw at it.
It comes with the Windows 10 operating system and supports all the programming software. It’s a universally acknowledged truth that gaming laptops tend to deliver high performance even in a tense situation. With Lenovo, Legion 5 proves once again.
We try to run software like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro, but there is no effect on performance; this workhorse runs smooth and flawless apps without freezing for a second.
Coming to the ports, Lenovo offers 4 USB 3.2, 1 USB 3.2 Type C, Ethernet (Still required for internet connectivity), and headphone & Microphone combo jack.
It offers 11ax, 2 X 2 Wi-Fi drivers, and Bluetooth 5.0 technology for wireless internet connectivity. The camera is built with a 720p privacy shutter, which is good but not acceptable as Dell XPS 15. So, if you do lots of video conferencing or zoom meetings, then this might not be the right choice for you.
As a gaming laptop, the keyboard is backlit and quire sturdier that lets you type freely without making any type of sound or whatsoever. Plus point, it has included Numpad on the keyboard. The trackpad is also decent and gives smooth feedback. Lenovo provides two 2W Harman Kardon Speakers under the hood that offers immersive and clear audio while playing games, streaming video, or watching movies.
As it’s a gaming laptop, so we don’t expect full-day battery life. The 5 hours of battery life is another plus on this laptop, dwarfing the runtimes of its counterparts. Although the battery life is excellent it can be decimating during AAA games or intense tasks.
The Lenovo Legions 5‘s is a decent laptop with a 120Hz refresh rate and IPS display panel, but in my experience, it’s not ideal for big AAA games or Video editing. Although it maintains to provide smooth and sharp performance but lacks 4K resolution and the absence of a fingerprint sensor, it turns some folks down.
6) Dell G7 17
- Display – 17.3 inch Full HD Panel and resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels
- RAM – 64 GB
- SSD – 1 TB SSD
- Battery Life – up to 8 hours
- Processor – Intel Core i7 10750 H
- Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
Dell G7 17 is the best laptops for programming students and gaming. Dell G7 17 has everything a content creator, video editor for programmers required in a great laptop. The base model offers an Intel Core i5 – 10300H processor, and you can also configure from Intel Core i7 10750 H and Intel Core i9 10885H. However, as processors go higher, so does the price.
It is armed with most of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card, and you can configure whichever suits your fragging needs. The display size comes with a 17.3 inch full HD panel and a resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels.
Dell offers three different refresh rates to choose from, including 120 Hz, 144Hz, and 300Hz. It’s noticeable that if you don’t play 4K gaming, then a 144 Hz refresh rate will be the top choice for you.
Dell G7 17 is an excellent example of how far the best laptops have come in a few short years. The spacious 17-inch display and lower bezels allow you to compile code side by side and run works with multi-tabs simultaneously.
Speaking about memory, Dell allows you to upgrade your RAM up to 64 GB and SSD up to 2 TB. Mainly, I like its big SSD and RAM options, which push the boundaries compared to its counterparts.
The big 17-inch screen and battery cell mean you need to trade off portability. So, it’s not as portable as Dell XPS 13 or Apple Macbook Air, but it’s still suitable for short traveling or short transportation. Its weight is 3.29 kg.
There are multiple port options available inside, including 3 USB Type A, 1 USB Type C, 2.0 HDMI, DisplayPort mini, card reader, 3.5 audio jack, and Ethernet Lan. Talking about wireless connectivity, it has 802.11 ax Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1 technology.
As a typical gaming laptop comes with a backlit keyboard, this powerhouse also comes with a backlit keyboard. The keyboard is full-sized, and keys are versatile and easily fit on the typing ecosystem.
Dell has done everything right with the machine except for the Web camera. It is only HD and not ideal for taking clear photos or conferencing. The smoothness of display and powerful performance take your eyes on the journey of colors and brings techie heaven.
Although it’s a gaming laptop, it’s still able to give 8 hours of web browsing and 5 hours of video playback. While playing AAA games, it can go lower. In our experience, it’s not bad for a 17-inch gaming laptop.
Moving to the trackpad, the trackpad does not fit the price segment; it’s not entirely smooth and durable as it should be. To sum up, Dell G7 17 laptop is for those aspiring coders who love to learn programs and like to play games in their free time.
7) LG Gram 17
- Display – 17 Inch with a resolution of 2560 X 1600 Pixels
- RAM – 16 GB
- SSD – 2 X 512 GB SSD
- Battery Life – Up to 13 hours
- Processor – Intel Core i7 1065G7
- Graphics – Intel Iris Plus Graphics
Let’s be honest here; working with a small screen makes your productivity suffer. Sure, small screen laptops are portable and smooth, but what about a big screen when you have an urge for multi-tasking. That’s where LG Gram 17 comes into play.
Comes with a 17-inch display and resolution of 2560 X 1600 pixels, LG Gram 17 is the best laptops for programming for students in size, power, and performance. The display is bright and colorful, which is excellent for watching animated or fantasy movies.
Not to mention, the latest 1.3 GHz Intel Core i7 – 1065G7 quad-core processor that has 8 MB of Intel Smart Cache and up to 3.9GHz with Turbo Boost.
With its astonishing display and vivid colors, LG surpasses its competitors. This machine has an Intel Iris Plus graphics card that something fewer and fewer premium devices will come with.
The 16 GB of LPDDR4 RAM with 3200 MHz will be good enough for you to get through some of your rigorous coding tasks. As far as storage is concerned, LG packs it with 2 X 512 GB SSD that cater so directly to creatives.
With this powerhouse, you can devote all your programming work and still stay fine. The impeccable Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 is another plus point for relying on this machine. The wide range of ports makes it an excellent choice for working on the go. The inclusion of 3 USB 3.1, 1 Thunderbolt 3, microSD card reader, 1 HDMI, and combo audio jack makes it the best ports choice out there.
As traditional laptop shoulders with, LG Gram 17 has a 720p webcam that lets you do video conferencing or taking selfies at just one step away. The hulking 17-inch display adds extra weight to the laptop and makes it 1.35 kg. For 17 inch laptops, it’s really something.
So far, it’s good, portable, and performable, but there is one critical drawback – you have to compromise on laptop durability. Although, LG has claimed that the magnesium alloy chassis has passed 7 MIL-STD durabilities, but still it’s not a device that handles bending or drops.
The keyboard is ideal for those who do a lot of typing, perfectly balanced keys, a good amount of travel, and Numpad’s inclusion, making it one of the tops picks for best laptops for programming for students.
Coming to the trackpad, it really gets the job done and is one of the best windows trackpads, but it’s not good as compared to Macbook or Dell XPS series. Though it’s far from the worst as we earliest seen in many laptops and gestures, and tracking is nice and accurate.
Everything is good with LG Gram 17, even the price, but low durability turns some folks down. In our experience, LG Gram 17 is an ideal choice for you if you travel a lot and are looking for a spacious display.
8) Microsoft Surface Book 2
- Display – 15 inch with a resolution of 3200 X 210
- RAM – 16 GB
- SSD – 1 TB SSD
- Battery Life – up to 8 hours
- Processor – Intel Core i7 8650 U
- Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 1060 or Intel UHD Graphics 620
Microsoft Surface Book series is revolutionary for 2 in 1 laptops. The astonishing touchscreen, easy convertible design, and smooth trackpad make it a flattering choice for programming.
Armed with a 1.9GHz Intel Core i7 – 8650U quad-core processor and 8MB cache with up to 4.2Ghz Turbo boost, Microsoft surface Book 2 is an exceptional choice for daily tasks. Microsoft offers two options for graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with 6GB GDDR5 VRAM. If you need a laptop just for programming, then Intel will be great and if you prefer gaming or compile code for gaming then go for NVIDIA.
The screen comes with a 15-inch pixel sense display that has a 3:2 aspect ratio and 1600:1 contrast ratio. The resolution is 3200 X 2160 pixels and 260 PPI.
In terms of memory, it is equipped with 16 GB of LPDDR3 RAM and 1866 Mhz. Microsoft offers a 1 TB PCIe 3.0 SSD. With all these big specs, it does come with a big price tag. So if you’ve splurge, then go with this 2 in 1 laptop.
The camera has a Windows 8MP rear-facing autofocus camera (1080p) and a 5MP front-facing Hello face authentication camera (1080 HD). We don’t have any kind of problem with cameras, and both deliver crisp and clear pictures and record videos precisely.
As a programmer, you always work with the internet, and a killer Wi-Fi should always be on your top list. With this workhorse, you’ll get 802.11 ac 2 X 2 MIMO Wi-Fi that is clearly a fast and reliable option available in the market.
The keyboard is big and spacious and has enough space between keys. When you use a laptop as a tablet, the keyboard can work as a base for you. The keys are punchy and give satisfying travel.
With this laptop, you’ll get long up to 8 hours of battery life out of the box. It’s noticeable that Microsoft has done significant work in enhancing battery backup, as its predecessor lasted for nearly half of it.
It would be an excellent choice if Microsoft included a surface pen, but that’s not the case. You need to separately purchase a stylus pen which adds extra expense to your pocket. If you can spend money, then the Surface Pro 2 will be a gem for taking notes, drawing sketches, and much more.
Further, it’s a really big tablet yet portable and only weighs 4.2 pounds. So, you can easily carry it around. To sum up, Microsoft Surface Book 2 is larger than life, portable, and comes with a long battery tag. But all these big things make it expensive, and it would be best if Microsoft should do some work with extra space.
9) Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme
- Display – 15.6 inch
- RAM – 16 GB
- SSD – 512 GB SSD
- Battery Life – up to 5 hours
- Processor – Intel Core i7 10750 H
- Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 1650 Ti
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 is a beautifully engineered and designed machine with a premium package and desktop-level power. The integration of performance and portability gives desktop-like feels and handles high-end programs without freezing for a sec.
The 15.6 inches 4K HDR IPS Multi-Touch display is gorgeous and beautiful. The touch display is remarkably bright, colorful, and crisp. The big display comes with 1.84 kg, which is not suitable for carrying around.
Lenovo engineered these devices with four-layer carbon fiber and an aluminum alloy lower chassis that enhance laptop durability.
It is powered by a new and improved Intel Core i7 8750 H 6 core processor along with a Turbo boost of up to 4.1GHz. Further, it has NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Max Q graphics that lets you program easily and analyze data more precisely.
RAM is the only component overkill for programming in this device which comes with 32GB DDR4 RAM that has 2400 MHz. Although the RAM is brilliant, a big number means a big price tag, and it’s true. Lenovo Thinkpad X1 is really expensive and nearly overkill for programming, but you can configure the base model by compromise with a touch display.
In terms of storage, it packs a 1 TB PCIe NVMe SSD out of the box which is more than enough for storing and collecting Java programs, C++ files, or temporary coding data.
Moreover, the webcam is traditional and has 720p picture quality. That’s the big knock against Lenovo Thinkpad X1, and they should give 1080 p cameras as their counterparts are offering.
For wireless connectivity, it offers 802.11 AC 2 X 2 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. The build quality of a laptop is durable and stays with you for a long time. Lenovo offers several ports options including 2 Thunderbolt 3, 2 USB 3 Type A, Ethernet extension connector (many brands cut this port), SD card reader, combo jack for microphone and headphone, and HDMI 2.0
One other drawback against this laptop is that the battery gives only 5 hours of juice that is far away from the best. If it was a gaming laptop, then we can understand, but a daily usage laptop should have long battery life.
The keyboard is built with a robust design and feels smooth while typing. Keys are also snappy and give quick feedback. Everything is fine here, except it lacks a Numpad if it’s concerned for you.
Performance-wise, this laptop is quite impressive and handles everything you throw at it. If you are an intense player or sort of worker, you are going to love this machine. It’s great for programming, excellent for video editing, and decent for gaming.
Wrapping up, Lenovo Thinkpad X1 is a great power machine, and if you are willing to pay the price for this well-engineered and designed machine, then this might be the best laptops for programming students.
10) HP Envy 13
- Display – 13 inch 4K Touch Screen with 3840 X 2140 pixels
- RAM – 8 GB
- SSD – 512 GB SSD
- Battery Life – up to 10 hours
- Processor – Intel Core i7 1065G7
- Graphics – Integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics
In 2020, HP redesigned its Envy 13 with slimmer bezels and made it compact and portable for everyday use.
Comes with a new 1.3 GHz Intel Core i7 1065G7 quad-core processor along with 8MB cache and up to 3.9GHz with turbo boost HP gives everyone something. The processor is refreshed and enhances the overall performance of the laptop during multi-tasking.
The GPU pairs with an Integrated Intel Iris Plus graphics card and gives stunning and clear pictures. HP Envy 13 offers base models starting from 8GB DDR4 RAM and can configure up to 16 GB. If you do video editing or work with software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrators then upgrading RAM would be the right choice for you. Otherwise, there is no need to add extra RAM, and equipped RAM will be sufficient for programming.
Speaking about storage, it comes with a 1 TB Intel SSD that is more than enough to collect data and install your favorite programming software like Anaconda, Visual studio, etc.
The display offers a 13 inch IPS panel with a resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels. Although the display is not big, the low bezels look fantastic and provide enough space to work with.
The inclusion of 2 USB A, 1 USB C with Thunderbolt 3, MicroSD card reader, and headphone jack will be sufficient options for transferring data and connecting with multiple screens. The killer Wi-Fi 6 AX provides faster internet connectivity without putting pressure on your head.
One plus point of the laptop is that it’s extremely portable and weighs only 1.3 KG, so you can carry it freely around without putting pressure on your shoulders. The lightweight design makes it ideal even for traveling.
Talking about battery life, HP Envy 13 survived for 10 hours during our testing, and for any 13-inch laptop, this is insane. However, gaming makes it decimating faster. During heavy workloads 10nm Intel chips don’t run cool and produce laptop heat.
We don’t say the 720p web camera is great, but at a low price range, it’s decent and gives clear pictures, but not high quality. Not to mention, Bluetooth 5.0 technology. The keyboard quality is durable, and keys travel fast along with smooth feedback. While typing fast, keys are audible. As every 13-inch keyboard lacks, HP Envy 13 is no exception in excluding Numpad. The device packs with a windows 10 operating system.
One thing I particularly like about this laptop is its smooth and flawless trackpad. That makes it convenient to move the arrow smoothly.
To sum up, HP Envy 13 is a fine system, powerful performer, exceptional keyboard, but it’s not for high-level content creators or pro-level video editors. But, if you’re looking for affordable laptops for programming then It’s worth giving a shot to HP Envy 13.
FAQS
A laptop with an i5 or i7 processor will give you a great programming experience. Every processor has cores that boost optimal speed and performance. Further, a Minimum 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD will be considered a great choice.
No, you don’t powerful machine that overkills programming. A laptop with enough memory and storage and coupled with i5 or i7 processor are more than enough for you.
Probably not. Surely, you can do light coding with it, but working with massive projects requires effective coding and a 4 GB RAM laptop will not suffice for it.
Sure. 8GB RAM is sufficient for programming and most of the programs easily run on it. However, if you are a gaming programmer and need to test games then 8 GB RAM is not enough for you.
HP Envy 13 is the best budget laptop for programming. Apple MacBook Air is also great but with limited features.
Best Laptops For Programming Students – Buying Guide
1) RAM
Basically, RAM, aka Random Access Memory, works as the short-term memory of the device. When you run a program, RAM saves its memory and allows you to perform tasks effectively. As a programmer, you need to work with different tabs simultaneously, and it requires great RAM to save this data at the same time. We don’t say you need a 16 GB or 32 GB machine that is overkill for programming, but a laptop with 8 GB RAM is an ideal choice for you. Also, say no to DDR3 RAM and always go for DDR4 RAM, which is more durable, fast, and reliable for programming.
2) Processor
Processors have a significant impact on your laptop when you do multitasking. A high-end processor lets you switch between different tabs and apps conveniently. Further, it makes sure that your laptop doesn’t freeze when you compile code or test your projects like game development, app development, etc. Even though you have big RAM, but your processor is outdated, the laptop might start to freeze quickly. We recommend going for a laptop that comes with at least an i5 processor and the latest generation.
3) Display
Display size is an essential component if you prefer to compile code on a big screen. A prominent display allows you to analyze code on a broader screen and boost your productivity. We don’t say that you need a machine with a 17-18 inch display; a 13-inch display will be sufficient for you.
4) Keyboard
Programmers solely depend on the keyboard to compile code, test apps, and much more. A reliable keyboard can give a smooth and flawless typing experience. The keys should be responsive and quick so that they can accept the command as soon as possible.
5) Battery life
If you frequently travel or work in an environment where there is no charging plug, then laptop battery life is crucial for you. However, if that’s not the case, we recommend compromising this component; there is a good reason for it. If you have a high-end processor, big screen, and portability, trading off battery life is not a big deal.
6) SSD
RAM is a short term memory, but SSD is permanent memory. All your apps data, programming data and software installation are stored in SSD. SSD has a vast impact on laptop performance and makes multitasking easier. Always choose an SSD over HDD. We recommend picking an SSD with at least 256 GB storage.
7) App compatibility
Many websites don’t mention this vital component, but I highly recommend looking for this feature as well. If you learn to code, you need to understand that every learning app requires minimum software compatibility and they recommend going for this configuration for a better experience. Programs like Anaconda, VIsual studio, sublime text, etc., usually can run on any device, but for a better experience, you need the latest configuration laptop.
Final Verdict
Narrowing down our list for the Best laptops for programming students is tough, but with the help of our dedicated team and intense research on the internet, we come up with the best list out there. We recommend not to pick a laptop that is built two years earlier, always choose a laptop that manufactures in a running year or one-year-old.