Top 5 Best Laptops for Programming in 2025
We reviewed the best programming laptops for macOS and Windows so you can code on the go
The ideal laptop for programming should have an ergonomic keyboard for on-the-go coding, a responsive screen, and an eye-pleasing display. These are our top choices after testing more than 1800 computers.
My team and I have examined all of the top laptops and business laptops, and based on their specifications and design, I see a lot of overlap with laptops used for coding.
In general, I think the greatest laptop for programming is the Apple MacBook Pro. It has the finest screen available on any laptop, and the M4 CPUs are incredibly powerful, resulting in seamless performance for a variety of jobs. Even more amazing is the ability to boot up both macOS and Windows, giving programmers far more options than a Windows-only computer, particularly when developing cross-platform applications.
For a comprehensive list of the top laptops available today for programmers, see our in-depth evaluations below. With top recommendations for all budgets and programming tasks, the team has thoroughly evaluated and benchmarked each model.
Table of Contents
BEST OVERALL
1. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4)
BEST ON A BUDGET
2. Acer Aspire 5
BEST FOR WINDOWS
3. Lenovo ThinkPad T16
BEST FOR GAMING
4. Razer Blade 14
BEST FOR BUSINESS
5. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
1. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch, our choice for the best laptop for programming, is capable of handling software engineering and coding tasks. After all, this is a device that can edit photos and videos at a professional level. Even better, you have a little more flexibility because you can boot it in Windows.
With its M4 Pro processor, the most recent model provided amazing performance compared to similar laptops. Geekbench 6.3’s test results easily outperformed our MacBook Air M3’s. Image editing was easy, but when we switched to 4K 120fps video clips from the iPhone 16 Pro Max, we noticed frame-rate reductions even though the laptop could edit four 4K 30fps videos at simultaneously. Programming apps should therefore run without any problems on the M4 MacBook Pro. See our review of the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) if you would rather have a larger screen.
Okay, so the design is identical to the last iteration, but why ruin something that works? All things considered, the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch offers amazing power, portability, and an XDR display with a maximum brightness of 1600 nits. There is a good assortment of connections, including three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, and an SD card slot. In our battery testing, we also discovered that the battery life was outstanding, lasting more than 18 hours on a single charge.
The complexity of your workload will determine if you need a machine with this level of power, but overall, it’s a stunning device with exceptional performance. The M1 and M2 MacBook Pro laptops continue to receive our endorsement for less expensive programmer computers.
2. Acer Aspire 5
Considering how inexpensive it is, the Acer Aspire 5 is a powerful little device. Under benchmarks, performance was outstanding, and the sturdy design gives the impression that it can withstand some bumps.
With an Intel Core i7 (i5 is also an option) and up to 32GB of RAM, it’s a powerful computer that can handle everyday computing duties with ease. Thus, you shouldn’t experience any problems when using programming applications.
However, there’s a reason it’s a budget choice, and we saw some compromises. We would have preferred to spend a couple more hours there. Workloads that are really complex will also be difficult for the Aspire 5 to handle. However, considering the cost and specifications, this laptop is quite powerful.
At this price point, you won’t find cutting-edge design, and the Aspire 5 has a quite traditional clamshell form with thick, somewhat outdated borders around the screen’s perimeter. Uncertain as ever, Acer’s website states that it comes in a range of colors, but the ones it sells appear to be limited to black or silver.
With a robust chassis that should be able to handle a few bumps in a backpack or bag while you’re traveling, it gets the fundamentals right. Even though the Aspire 5 isn’t an ultrabook, it’s incredibly portable when needed because it only weighs 1.7 kg and is 18 mm thick. The trackpad has a fingerprint sensor for security, and the keyboard is comfortable and firm to type on. The laptop’s thin L-shaped power connector, which protrudes from the side and appears somewhat exposed, is its only real weakness.
3. Lenovo ThinkPad T16
In our opinion, the ThinkPad T16 is the full package in terms of programming. The huge 16-inch, 16:10 display is bright, clear, and easy on the eyes for a business laptop. With up to 32GB of RAM and an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 Pro processor, it can do nearly any coding assignment with ease. During testing, our review unit undoubtedly didn’t lag at all.
The T16 is graded MIL-STD 810G and has a durable build. However, it is a bit heavy to hold. As anticipated, performance was outstanding for typical workloads. The num-pad and keyboard on this programming laptop are what actually make it unique. Although an external keyboard can be connected, ThinkPads still provide the greatest typing experience available on a contemporary keyboard.
Regarding substitutes for the MacBook Pro 16-inch, our evaluation of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s offers a stylish, more compact model. Check out our evaluation of the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 if you require better graphical performance.
Additionally, we saw that the ThinkPad T16’s materials provided some additional stiffness in addition to being smooth plastic. The laptop is constructed from sturdy materials, regardless of whether you choose Storm Grey or Thunder Black as the color. What’s intriguing is that the materials vary somewhat in hue. While Thunder Black adds carbon fiber and glass fiber to the bottom cover, Storm Grey features an aluminum top and a polyphenylene sulfide bottom cover. Lenovo informed us that the ThinkPad T16 undergoes more than 20 processes to obtain its badge (MIL-STD 810G) and is tested in accordance with 12 military-grade certifications. To put it briefly, this laptop is robust and made to be used outside of an office setting, not only on a couch.
4. Razer Blade 14
Our choice for people who like to work hard and play hard is the Razer Blade 14, which is ideal for programming and gaming.
This is a tiny, light, workstation-style device that can easily manage demanding tasks, such as triple-A games and video editing. Expect excellent coding performance as a result.
During our study of the Razer Blade 14, we saw how well it performed in a variety of normal computing workloads and gaming tests. We did observe, though, that the fans became a little noisier when performing more demanding jobs. With a retail price of between $2000 to £2000, this coding laptop is also not inexpensive.
Nevertheless, it’s a stunning gadget that also offers a comfortable typing experience with accurate trackpad control. See our evaluation of the HP Victus 15 for a less expensive option; for the price, it’s an incredibly capable gaming laptop.
With an upgraded AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and the option of Nvidia RTX 4070 or 4060 GPUs, the Blade 14 boasts more powerful performance than before. With the help of a cooling system that, despite its noise, efficiently controls heat even during prolonged usage, this configuration easily manages anything from demanding creative demands to intense gaming sessions.
Another highlight is the display, which has a 240Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2560×1600. It is a pleasure for both gaming and multimedia consumption because it produces vivid colors and fluid graphics. It does, however, lag behind several rivals in terms of brightness and HDR compatibility.
Excellent keyboard and trackpad functionality allows for accurate control and comfortable typing. Razer Synapse software is still a helpful tool for adjusting performance parameters and customizing RGB lighting to improve usefulness and appearance.
With roughly 10 hours of normal use and much less when gaming or high-performance work, the battery life is respectable for a gaming laptop. Although there is a sufficient range of ports, some users may find the absence of an Ethernet port annoying.
5. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12’s elegant, robust design, incredibly ergonomic keyboard, and high price make it the greatest programming laptop for business workers.
The computer easily completed a variety of tasks during our own review, including creating material like video editing and using simple office applications. Therefore, using this laptop to code won’t be a problem for you.
Like nearly all ThinkPads, the X1 Carbon Gen 12’s keyboard is comfortable enough to use for lengthy periods of time, which is crucial for programmers. Indeed, there has been a little revamp of the keyboard and trackpad, making them feel more roomy and pleasant for prolonged work.
The laptop is exceptionally light and thin in other areas. For business users, the actual camera cover is ideal, and we adore it. Although the screen isn’t as bright as we would like, it can be improved and will work well indoors. All things considered, a sturdy laptop that allows comfortable coding in work environments.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12’s elegant, robust design, incredibly ergonomic keyboard, and high price make it the greatest programming laptop for business workers.
The computer easily completed a variety of tasks during our own review, including creating material like video editing and using simple office applications. Therefore, using this laptop to code won’t be a problem for you.
Like nearly all ThinkPads, the X1 Carbon Gen 12’s keyboard is comfortable enough to use for lengthy periods of time, which is crucial for programmers. Indeed, there has been a little revamp of the keyboard and trackpad, making them feel more roomy and pleasant for prolonged work.
The laptop is exceptionally light and thin in other areas. For business users, the actual camera cover is ideal, and we adore it. Although the screen isn’t as bright as we would like, it can be improved and will work well indoors. All things considered, a sturdy laptop that allows comfortable coding in work environments.
What is a laptop used for programming?
Overall, laptop programming focuses on a few key elements. Regardless of brand, a laptop is likely to function well as a programming laptop if these four factors are high.
Computers
RAM
Keyboard
Speed of storage
Does programming require a powerful laptop?
One of such jobs that doesn’t require powerful equipment is programming. On the other hand, a powerful computer can be very helpful to a coder. Therefore, a simple yes/no response is insufficient to address this issue. Medium- to slower-speed devices can be programmed; loading and editing projects are the issues. Therefore, we recommend a more powerful laptop if you have complex or huge programs running or if you don’t have the time to sit and wait for your computer to finish your projects.
Choosing additional power will enable you to test your projects live much more quickly and perform your process more efficiently.
What is the greatest laptop CPU for programming?
Our choice for the finest laptop for programming is the Apple MacBook Pro. We’ve tried, examined, and rated each of these devices to make sure they work properly and meet your needs; you can see our whole reviews above.
In general, programmers will always perform well on the newest and greatest computers. Any processor that is an 8th-generation Intel processor or later should work for you, but, if you want to spend a bit less. If you are an Apple enthusiast, you should know that both Apple and Intel silicon are excellent for programming.
For further choices, we’ve examined the top MacBook Pro and Lenovo ThinkPad laptops, both of which have more than adequate power for programming.Our choice for the finest laptop for programming is the Apple MacBook Pro. We’ve tried, examined, and rated each of these devices to make sure they work properly and meet your needs; you can see our whole reviews above.
What is the ideal laptop screen size for programming?
As previously said, it is difficult to respond to this query without additional information. In essence, it comes down to personal taste. For a variety of reasons, some members of our team are devoted to screens of varying sizes. Whether or not you use an external monitor as your primary display may also affect this. Picking up something with a display that is between 11 and 14 inches would be the portable option. This allows you sufficient screen real estate to do tasks while maintaining portability on a train, in a coffee shop, or while on the go. Although a 15-inch screen or bigger becomes very unwieldy, it also provides a lot more room to view your work.