Are you a student and looking for a good laptop for programming purposes? I have compiled a list of the 10 best laptops for programming students in this article. Whether studying computer science or civil engineering, you will find some of the best laptops you can use during college.
Whether you are looking for a hybrid laptop for note-taking or running powerful applications such as Android Studio, Xcode, or AutoCAD, you will find laptops for most use cases, and that too with good battery backup.
A laptop is an essential tool for any programmer. An excellent keyboard and mouse will help you work more efficiently and comfortably, but the inside of the machine matters.
Programming is time-consuming because you must combine many alphabetical and numeric characters to create a single program. They often need a faster system than the standard one to achieve the best performance.
There is a high demand for programmers, and many young students are taking up programming as a career. However, when we first started as students, most of us were on a tight budget.
10 Best Laptops for Programming Students
So, the best laptops for programming students would be the right mix of OS, resources, price, and comfort.
Let’s look at some laptops with the right components and pricing for the programming students.
1. Microsoft Surface 3
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If you’re a coder dealing with Windows 10 apps, this laptop may be the best one to code. Since Microsoft developed Windows 10, you can be confident that your Windows apps will run smoothly on this laptop.
Of course, it can run any programming tool or application you need because it’s a Windows 10 laptop. The most recent model is matte black and features a Core i7 processor, up to 16GB of memory, 1TB of SSD storage, and a 13.5-inch high-resolution screen.
Besides, it has some excellent hardware, such as a sleek design, a comfortable keyboard, and a strong aluminum shell.
Microsoft Surface 3 Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i5/ i7
- Memory: 8GB – 16GB
- Storage: 128GB-1TB SSD
- Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Screen: 15-inch Pixel Sense (2,496 x 1,664)/ 13.5-inch PixelSense (2,256 x 1,504)
2. Acer Aspire 5
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As its name implies, it is jam-packed with features in a slimmer and lighter design that programmers will appreciate. It has a difficult-to-find combination of a 15.6-inch display, processor, hard drive, and price.
Acer Aspire 5 Specifications
- Processor: 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-8265U 6 MB
- Memory: 8GB DDR4 2667MHz
- Storage: 1TB Total Hard Drive Capacity
- Graphics: 128MB Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Screen: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 display
3. Asus Chromebook Flip C436F
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Premium Chromebooks are a unique laptop market segment that bridges the gap between powerful traditional laptops and ultralight Chromebooks.
The Asus Chromebook Flip C436F is one such example. It beats the competition with superior power, a fantastic feature set, premium construction, and a lower price tag. This makes it the best laptop for programming students on the go.
Asus Chromebook Flip C436F Specifications
- Processor: 10th-generation Intel Core i3/i5
- Memory: 8GB-16GB 2133MHz LPDDR3
- Storage: 512GB, 256GB, 128GB SSD
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
- Screen: 14 Inches LED-backlit Full HD (1920 x 1080)
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4. HP 15-dy1036nr
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The HP 15-dy1036nr is one of the best picks for programming students on a budget. Although it has a lower price tag than most programming laptops, it does not compromise performance.
It has 8GB RAM and is fuelled by a 10th-generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 quad-core processor to support your multitasking and programming needs.
Intel’s integrated UHD graphics perform admirably for programming and casual gaming despite the lack of dedicated graphics. It has a stunning 15.6-inch 1080p display with slim bezels and an anti-glare coating.
HP 15-dy1036nr Specifications
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- Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 1.0GHz Quad-Core
- Memory: 8GB DDR4 RAM (Upgradable)
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
- Screen: 15.6 Inches Full HD anti-glare WLED-backlit display
5. HUAWEI MateBook X Pro
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The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro is a laptop for programming students that they would adore.
They will be impressed not only by the physical specifications of this laptop but they will also be delighted by the exquisite performance that this machine will provide.
Huawei MateBook X Pro Specifications
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U/ 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-10510U
- Memory: 8 GB / 16 GB LPDDR3 2133 MHz
- Storage: 512 GB / 1 TB NVMe PCIe SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® MX250/ Intel® UHD Graphics
- Screen: 13.9 Inches
6. HP Spectre x360
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If you’re searching for a convertible laptop for coding, look no further than the HP Spectre x360 laptop. The HP Spectre x360 is one of the best-looking laptops, with an all-metal chassis finished in silver and sleek cut edges.
The laptop scores in design, but its performance is also admirable. This model is available in two sizes: 15 and 13 inches.
The 13-inch models are available with Intel’s latest 10th Gen Ice Lake processors, while the 15-inch models are equipped with six-core Intel Comet Lake processors and a dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q GPU.
Both perform admirably, but if your programming work necessitates more processing power, the 15-inch will be the better choice.
Regarding battery life, the 13-inch model gets around 12 hours, and the 15-inch model gets about 9 hours, which is impressive given the amount of power they pack inside.
Furthermore, the keyboard is outstanding, with a perfect layout and keys that provide a pleasant feel while typing. The HP Spectre x360 is a great convertible laptop for programming students.
HP Spectre x360 Specifications
- Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G4 1.1 GHz Quad-core
- Memory: 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD
- Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Screen: 13.3 Inches Full HD IPS WLED-backlit
Also Read: 3 Best Fake Code Generator Websites
7. Lenovo Ideapad 5
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Lenovo has some of the best laptops that offer value for money. Ideapad 5 14-inch laptop features a new architecture as well as up-to-date hardware.
The new design gives the laptop a more professional appearance, and its graphite grey polycarbonate chassis gives it a premium look. This laptop has an excellent output.
It has a quad-core Intel Core i5 processor from the 10th generation and 8GB of RAM for multitasking. It also has a dedicated Nvidia GeForce MX350 GPU, ideal for a wide range of programming tasks and light gaming.
The Lenovo Ideapad 5 also includes a backlit keyboard that is ergonomically built to provide the most comfortable typing experience possible. It also has an eye-friendly monitor that is calibrated to minimize eye fatigue.
It’s also anti-glare. So, the new Lenovo Ideapad 5 is a complete coding kit, and it’s one of the few laptops in the market right now that has all of the latest hardware features while still being reasonably priced.
Lenovo Ideapad 5 Specifications
- Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 1.0 GHz Quad-core
- Memory: 8GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce MX350 2GB DDR5 VRAM
- Screen: 14-inch Full HD IPS Anti-Glare
Also Read: 10 Best Coding Gifts for Kids Who Wants To Learn Programming
8. HP Envy 13
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It comes with a lightweight all-metal frame weighing just 2.8 pounds. This makes it a pretty portable and easy-to-carry laptop for programmers. It is also a capable laptop in terms of performance and is also surprisingly reasonably priced.
It has a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 quad-core processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and a dedicated Nvidia GeForce MX250 GPU. That’s a lot of punch for such a small, light laptop like this.
With a 13.3-inch touch-sensitive IPS display and thin bezels, the HP ENVY 13’s screen looks quite stunning. Besides, a well-designed keyboard with good moving backlit keys and a highly sensitive touchpad powered by Windows precision drivers are also included.
HP Envy 13 Specifications
- Processor: 1.3GHz Intel Core i7-1065G7 (quad-core, 8MB cache)
- Memory: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB Intel SSD
- Graphics: Intel Iris Plus
- Screen: 13-inch, IPS, 1080p, multi-touch
- Price: $899
Also Read: 7 Best Free Coding Software for Kids
9. Dell Inspiron 14 5000
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Because of its versatile capabilities and affordability, the Dell Inspiron 14 5000 is considered one of the best laptops for programming students. Though it costs less than the most in this list, it does so without sacrificing performance or functionality.
This laptop has a high-resolution Full HD display, fast SSD storage, and an Intel Core i5 processor, making it a very reliable laptop for any programming task.
For programmers needing an inexpensive, thin, and lightweight laptop for home or school, the Dell Inspiron 14 5000 series is worth getting.
Dell Inspiron 14 5000 Specifications
- Processor: 1.7GHz Intel Core i5 4210U
- Memory: 8GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,600MHz
- Storage: 256GB SSD storage
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForceR MX150 2GB GDDR5 graphics
- Screen: 14-inch display, Touchscreen
Also Read: 12 Interesting Facts About Software Developers
10. Lenovo ThinkPad T490
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Lenovo’s ThinkPad line of laptops is well-known among corporations and offers some great features that make it to our list of best laptops for programming students.
The ThinkPad T590 is identical to its predecessors in appearance, but it now has tiny bezels on its screen and a shutter on the webcam, which you can use to cover the webcam while not in use.
Most of the improvements are mainly on the inside, which means the ThinkPad T590 is equipped with Intel’s new Whiskey Lake 8th Gen processors and offers RAM and storage choices of up to 32GB and 1TB PCIe-based SSD, respectively.
As a result, it’s capable of hardware, making it suitable for a wide range of computer programming and development tasks. It has all the required ports and slots, including USB 3.1 ports, HDMI, Ethernet, a USB Type-C Thunderbolt port, and an SD card reader.
Its battery lasts up to 14 hours on a single charge. It has solid internals, a stunning 1080p monitor, and a ThinkPad keyboard, making it one of the best programming laptops available.
Lenovo ThinkPad T590 Specifications
- Processor: 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8565U 1.8 GHz Quad-core
- Memory: 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Screen: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS Anti Glare Display
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Final Verdict
You explored some of the best laptops for programming students in this article. If you are looking for a good and affordable laptop for your college, you can choose anyone from the list. You can pick a laptop with good processing power and get through the entire college day based on your use cases.
My favorite laptops from the list are Microsoft Surface 3, Asus Chromebook, and HP Spectre x360. They come with a premium build quality and power-packed performance suitable for students of most fields.
