Best laptop for programming in 2019: top picks for coders, developers and sysadmins

If you’re looking for one of the best laptops as a software developer, you’ve come to the right page. With this list, we’ve found all the best laptops for programming, whether you’re trying your hand at HTML, CSS, JavaScript or VB.

There are a few things you need to think about before you buy one of the best laptops. When you’re programming, you’re going to need one of the best processors, as that horsepower goes a long way when you’re compiling code. Sure, most modern laptops will feature plenty of cores, threads and high clock speeds, but you should still aim for the fastest processor you can afford. 

And, then there’s memory. You absolutely need at least 8GB, and it needs to be fast. YOu should also think about storage: one of the best SSDs is essential, as it will shave minutes off your project with all the files and apps you’ll open. 

You won’t necessarily need the fastest graphics chip on the market, but if you want to do some gaming in your down time, go for it. Modern Intel hardware comes with integrated graphics that are more than good enough for anything you’ll encounter while programming. 

Oh, and do yourself a favor and make sure you’re getting one of the best keyboards. Programming involves a lot of typing, so you may as well be comfortable while doing it. And, a high resolution display will help make sure your code is easy on the eyes. So, without further ado, here’s our list of the best laptops for programming in 2019. 

Portege

Image Credit: Toshiba

The best laptop for programming needs to have plenty of power and memory, long battery life, a comfy keyboard and monitor and the ability to handle multiple monitors. It also needs reliable post-sale support, so you aren’t out of commission whether you’re in Paris or San Francisco. And, the Toshiba Portege Z30-C-138 is all of the above. It has a fast processor, plenty of SSD space and 16GB of RAM. And, to top it all off it manages 11 hours of battery life and even packs a 4G/LTE modem. Trust us, if you’re looking for a laptop for programming, you can’t go wrong here.

  • This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Surface Book 2 

Thinkpad X

Image Credit: Lenovo

With the ThinkPad E470, Lenovo took an existing form factor and refined it. Now, powered by 7th-generation Intel Kaby Lake processors, this is one of the best laptops for programming. It also features a lovely 14-inch anti-glare display, powered by a discrete Nvidia GeForce 940MX GPU, a spill resistant keyboard and Lenovo’s signature TrackPoint. The Lenovo E460, then, tops all of this off with enough ports and expansion capabilities to keep the average user happy for years to come. 

HP

Image Credit: HP

The 255 G5 is HP's entry-level business laptop and is a solid candidate should you be looking for a straightforward, reliable, laptop for programming at a bargain price.  The RAM is a little on the low side, but that can be upgraded later on, and there's no denying that this is an excellent laptop for coding on. If you want a similar programming laptop with an Intel processor, rather than AMD, then the HP 250 G5 is worth looking into. There are various configurations of both the HP 255 G5 and the HP 250 G5, so it's worth shopping around and finding one with the right components for your needs.

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Lenovo ThinkPad E470 

Image Credit: TechRadar

We’ve been waiting years for a new MacBook Air, and it’s finally here. Now thinner, lighter and with a Retina display for the first time, it’s easily the best MacBook Air we’ve ever used. Thanks to improved hardware for better performance (including 8th-generation processors, more RAM and faster SSDs) and an affordable price, the 2018 MacBook Air is a brilliant laptop for programming on. It keeps that same light and slim design which means it's easy to sling into a bag and carry around with you, but it also has enough oopmh to make programming on it a joy. The improved screen and higher resolution makes it far more comfortable to work on as well.

Image Credit: Apple

When you’re looking for the best laptop for programming, especially if you’re developing software for macOS, you’re eventually going to find yourself looking at the MacBook Pro. And, the new MacBook Pro, with its hexa-core processor and heaps of RAM, is the most powerful MacBook that the Cupertino tech behemoth has ever birthed. No matter how extraneous your workload is, no matter what you’re trying to develop, you’re going to be able to get it done on the new 15-inch MacBook Pro, and we’d recommend it to any software developer – as long as they had the budget for it.

Read the full review: MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid-2018)
See more like this: The best Macs

Image Credit: Microsoft

Sometimes you just have to work on the go, and in those situations, you’ll be thankful for the Microsoft Surface Pro 6. With its quad-core processors and plentitude of RAM, you’ll be able to compile code quickly and efficiently, even when you’re on the move. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to pay extra for the Type Cover – you’re not going to want to get any coding done on a touch screen, trust us.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Pro 6

Image Credit: TechRadar

Sure, it’s a Chromebook, and while that may put some people off, the Google Pixelbook is powerful (and beautiful) enough to hang with the Surfaces and MacBooks of the world. Now, while ChromeOS is admittedly not as good a place to program as Windows or macOS, the Pixelbook’s support of Android makes it a must-own laptop for any Android developer. The fact that this laptop succeeds the now discontinued Google Chromebook Pixel, which was designed by and for Google’s own developers, should give it some street cred in the eyes of coders.

Read the full review: Google Pixelbook 

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Surface Pro. 

Image Credit: Asus

While it doesn’t run Windows or macOS, the Asus Chromebook Flip is powered by Chrome OS, a super lightweight operating system based on the Chrome web browser. The Chromebook Flip is one of the best Chromebooks out there, solely because it offers a premium build, a great touchscreen and reasonably powerful components for the price. And, while Chrome OS doesn’t feature many robust programming tools, the Asus Chromebook Flip is one of the best laptops for programming if you’re deep into web development.

Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip C302

Image Credit: Microsoft

The Surface Book 2 is an excellent choice for any coders out there, as Microsoft has crafted one of the most powerful 2-in-1 laptops on the planet. The Surface Book 2 has components powerful enough to handle pretty much everything you could throw at it – including some light gaming in your down time. If you’re looking for a larger display,there’s a 15-inch model, which also features beefier components – albeit at a higher price tag.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch)

macbook pro 13-inch 2018 deals best price

Image Credit: Apple

If you need a macOS device that’s fast, but still light enough to carry around with you wherever you go, you’re going to love the MacBook Pro 13-inch. This isn’t just one of the best laptops for programmers, this is one of the best Macs that we’ve ever used. If you need to code on the go, the quad-core processors and up to 16GB of RAM mean you’ll work fast, while the thin and light design means you won’t be held back. We can’t recommend it enough.

Read the full review: MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018)

Check out our laptop buying guide video below.

  • Here's our list of the best laptop: Our pick of the 15 best laptops you can buy this year

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