The factors to look out for are RAM, CPU threads, screen resolution if you don’t intend to have external monitors, and battery life if you want to code on the go. A solid keyboard is also a plus if you don’t want to purchase an external keyboard. RAM, or Random Access Memory, is kind of like the short-term memory of your laptop. The more RAM you have, the more programs you’ll be able to run at once without experiencing lagging. The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, processes and executes instructions. You don’t need the most powerful CPU to write code, but having more threads/cores is always helpful. Also: The 23 best laptop deals right now The screen resolution, battery life, keyboard, and weight of the laptop you choose come after the RAM and CPU in importance. If you plan to use the laptop for video editing or design work, you could prioritize the graphics card as well; if you have to attend video calls, a good webcam and mic are essential. Here are the best laptops for programming. On Jan. 17, Apple announced its new MacBook Pro with top-notch processing power that expands the capabilities of previous models. It also includes 8K display support for the first time. The new Apple M2 Pro chip has up to 32 GB of unified memory, up to 12-core CPU, and up to 19-core GPU. The new Apple M2 Max chip has up to 96 GB unified memory, up to 12-core CPU, and up to 38-core GPU. Apple markets the M2 Pro and M2 Max as “the most powerful and efficient chip ever in a pro laptop” with a battery life of up to 22 hours. The new Pro is available beginning Jan. 24 and it starts at $1,999. The MacBook Pro has always been a dependable choice for everyone from coding novices to programming experts. Even if you go with an older model with 16 GB RAM or fewer CPU cores, you’ll still be in good shape. The Microsoft Surface Pro is completely mobile and ready to go with you. It runs on Windows 11 and features an all-day battery life of up to 15 hours. It has a touchscreen that could work in your favor if you’re a student interested in taking notes with the included Surface Slim Pen 2 or if you like that added functionality. With a 13-inch screen and a detachable keyboard, it’s a tablet-laptop hybrid. It weighs less than two pounds, making it extra portable and functional – but you won’t lose out on programming power. One aspect of the Surface Pro that I like is that even though it’s a small laptop, it still has four ports, including a dedicated charging port, so you can connect to external monitors instantly, charge your phone, charge the laptop, and use a USB drive all at once. This is the laptop for programmers who want a large display on the go. The LG gram 17Z90Q has a sizable 17-inch screen with an AntiGlare 2560x1600 display – but it still manages to be under three pounds in weight. This ultra-lightweight slim laptop packs in power with 32 GB of RAM, 2 TB of storage, and a 12-generation Intel core i7 processor with Intel Xe Graphics. The graphics card works for casual gamers, but it’s not the best if you like to play games regularly. The LG gram comes with Windows 11 Home. The Dell XPS 13 Plus has an OLED antireflective touchscreen, 32 GB of RAM, 1 TB of storage, and Windows 11. It is ultralight, weighing 2.77 pounds, and ultraslim, with a thickness of 0.6 inches. The CPU is an Intel 12th-generation core i7 Evo processor, which has high performance. The RAM is very high at 32 GB, which means it can support the programming needs of engineers, researchers, and other professionals. The downsides to this laptop are its lack of ports (only two Thunderbolt ports), battery life, and graphics card. The standout feature of the Vivobook Pro is the graphics card. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti is a high-end graphics card that allows for gaming at max settings. For programmers, the high system memory of 32 GB, the powerful Intel 12th-Generation Core i7 processor, and the large 16-inch screen all set the stage with substantial capabilities. The screen is ideal for coding, gaming, movies, video editing, and design so you can easily balance work and play on one device. I like the ports on this laptop – you get an HDMI port, a USB Gen 1 Type-A port, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, a Thunderbolt 4 port, an audio jack, and a micro SD card reader. If you’re into both programming and gaming, this is the laptop for you.
