Best laptop for programming in 2022

Programming is the process of writing and running a computer program in order to attain a specified computing result or finish a task. The best laptop configuration for developers, who are either programmers or designers, varies by field.

Programming laptops are identical to regular laptops. The high-end characteristics, such as RAM, processor, graphic card memory, storage, and others, set it apart.

1. MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021)

• CPU: Apple M1 Pro 8-core – M1 Max 10-core
• Graphics: Integrated 14-core – 32-core GPU
• RAM: Up to 64GB
• Screen: 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
• Storage: Up to 8TB

The MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) is not only great for creative work, but it's also great for programming. Taking the MacBook Pro to new heights, this M1 Pro or M1 Max-powered laptop has breathtaking power, equally breathtaking battery life, and an XDR display with 1600 nits of peak brightness, blowing the competition away. You'll have all the peripherals you need thanks to the SD card slot, HDMI port, and three Thunderbolt 4 connectors.

2. Google Pixelbook Go

• CPU: Intel Core m3 - Intel Core i7
  
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 615
• RAM: 8GB - 16GB
• Screen: 13.3-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) or 4K LCD touchscreen
• Storage: 128GB - 256GB eMMC

The Pixelbook Go from Google is the best Chromebook money can buy right now, and it's also a fantastic programming laptop. With a lower price tag than its predecessor, the Pixelbook, Google's latest Chromebook still includes many of the premium features found on the original, such as an excellent battery life and one of the best keyboards we've ever used on a laptop - an important consideration when looking for a laptop to program on.

Sure, it doesn't run Windows 10; instead, it runs Chrome OS, but that won't be a problem for most programmers, especially web developers. You may also install Linux on this laptop, making it an even more versatile programming machine.

It has very remarkable specifications for a Chromebook, ensuring that Chrome OS runs well on it and putting it on level with many of the more costly Windows laptops and MacBooks.

3. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

• CPU: Apple M1
• Graphics: Integrated 7-core /8-core GPU
• RAM: 8GB – 16GB
• Screen: 13.3-inch (diagonal) 2,560 x 1,600 LED-backlit display with IPS technology
• Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD

The Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is not only Apple's best laptop, but also one of the best laptops for programmers.

This is a spectacular feat, thanks to the innovative ARM-based Apple M1 CPU that powers the new MacBook Air (Apple has dumped Intel for these new laptops). It's a tiny and light notebook with amazing performance and incredible battery life.

This laptop can easily last over 11 hours on a single charge, making it ideal for use at work or school. Its screen is stunning, and the new and enhanced keyboard means you'll be able to code for hours on end on it.

4. HP Spectre x360 (2021)

• CPU: 11th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• RAM: 8GB – 16GB
• Screen: 13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS BrightView micro-edge WLED-backlit multitouch – 13.3" diagonal 4K (3840 x 2160) UWVA BrightView micro-edge AMOLED multitouch
• Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD

The HP Spectre x360 (2021) 2-in-1 laptop received a major update for 2021, and the improved specs, which include 11th-generation Intel Core processors and Intel Iris Xe graphics, as well as the flawless 2-in-1 design and pristine gem-cut chassis, put this version at the top of our list of best laptops for programmers.

The HP Spectre brand has always been known for its beautiful machines. As a result, when we claim that the Spectre x360 takes things to the next level, we mean it. With its gem cut design and slender profile, this laptop is not only one of the most gorgeous laptops on the market right now, but it's also durable on the inside.

HP equipped this with an exceptionally extended battery life, ensuring that you are getting one of the best laptops available. As a result, it's now the greatest laptop for programming.

5. Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch)

• CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050
• RAM: 8GB – 16GB
• Screen: 13.5-inch 3,000 x 2,000 PixelSense Display with touchscreen
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB PCIe SSD

The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is a fantastic option for any coders out there, as it is one of the most powerful 2-in-1 laptops available.

After all, it has components capable of handling almost anything you can throw at it, even some light gaming in your spare time.

There's a 15-inch option with beefier components and a higher price tag if you want a bigger screen.

6. MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020)

• CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU
• Graphics: Integrated 8-core GPU
• RAM: 8GB – 16GB unified memory
• Screen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 LED-backlit Retina display
• Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD

The MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020) may not have received a major design overhaul, but with to Apple's breakthrough M1 CPU, it more than makes up for it in terms of performance and battery life.

In fact, this MacBook Pro offers the greatest battery life of any MacBook, allowing you to program for hours on end without having to worry about finding a charger.

The M1 processor is also a powerhouse when it comes to performance, so developing and testing programs is a breeze. This is a programming laptop that will last you for years if you have the funds for it.

7. LG Gram 17

• CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7
• Graphics: Intel Iris Plus
• RAM: 16GB
• Screen: 17-inch 1600p (2,560 x 1,600)
• Storage: 2 x 512GB SSD

The LG Gram 17 foregoes full-fat H-series processors in favor of Intel Ice Lake Ultrabook-class chips, but compensates by being a 17-inch laptop that weighs the same as a 13-inch laptop.

All of this means you can get a stunning 17-inch 1600p display on a laptop that just weighs 2.98 pounds (1.35kg). So, if you're a programmer who needs a big screen to work on, this is a great option, and you can take it with you everywhere you go.

When you combine the lightweight design with the fact that the battery lasted over 14 hours in our testing, you have the perfect laptop for programming.

8. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme laptop

• CPU: up to 8th-generation Intel Core i7
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti with Max-Q design
• RAM: up to 64GB
• Screen: 15.6” FHD (1920 x 1080) – 15.6” 4K UHD HDR (3840 x 2160) multi-touch
• Storage: up to 1TB SSD

Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Extreme mobile workstation is the best laptop for programming if you have the budget for an unstoppable workhorse.

For a variety of factors, we consider this laptop to be one of the best Lenovo laptops. It comes in a variety of configurations, depending on your demands and budget, but even at its most basic level, it's already quite capable, packing a powerful graphics card into a rugged carbon-fiber and aluminum casing that will withstand any office or field environment.

The only drawback? You get what you pay for, and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme has a price that matches its performance.

9. Microsoft Surface Pro 8

• CPU: Up to 11th-gen Intel Core i7
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• RAM: Up to 32GB LPDDR4x
• Screen: 13-inch PixelSense Flow display
• Storage: Up to 1TB

The Surface Pro 8 has a brand-new design, but it also has faster internals than ever before, making it ideal for all of your demanding coding demands. As a result, it's not just for illustrators, graphic artists, and other creative types. Other features to appreciate include the two Thunderbolt 4 connectors and 2-in-1 design. It also has a larger screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, which gives you more room to spread out for a more fluid workflow. For some, the additional price will be prohibitive, but for professionals, it may be worthwhile.

10. Asus Chromebook Flip C436F/C436FA

• CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i3 – i5
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
• RAM: 8GB – 16GB 2133MHz LPDDR3
• Screen: 14” LED-backlit Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 display
• Storage: 512GB / 256GB / 128GB PCIe® NVMe 3.0x 2 M.2 SSD

Premium Chromebooks are a distinct segment of the laptop market, bridging the gap between powerful traditional computers and ultralight Chromebooks.

And the Asus Chromebook Flip C436F/C436FA is one of the rare instances out today, with its mix of excellent power, a rich feature set, and a premium build at a lower price than its competitors.

For web developers who require a powerful laptop, the Asus Chromebook Flip C436F/C436FA is ideal.