Programming is a set of instructions that tell the computer how to perform a particular function or task. It has a complete cycle of development known as the Software Development Life Cycle that includes certain phases of development from designing through coding and debugging.
When it comes to programming you need a laptop so it’s a good idea to invest in a high-quality laptop. Because if you have ever done programming with a powerful laptop, it can be much easier to get work done.
If you don’t want to invest in an expensive laptop, you can still find budget-friendly laptops for programming. We’ve compiled a list of the best budget laptops for programming or coding.
What to look for in the best programming laptop?
Whether you’re learning code or starting your career in programming, the best laptop will help you to do both. There are tons of laptop models in the market explicitly marketed for some industry uses such as business, gaming, and creatives. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a laptop for programmer needs. There are various factors to consider when buying a computer for coding.
RAM
In programming, you’ve to run heavy applications and that requires more memory which means more RAM. It’s a good idea to look for 8GB – 16GB RAM that can quickly handle your processes.
Display
Programmers often spend long hours in front of the computer so the display is a significant thing a programmer should consider when buying a laptop. If portability isn’t the issue then try to get a big-screen laptop. That’s because in a smaller screen laptop, you’ll have less space to work and also small text and icons can lead to more eyestrain.
Processor
While executing the code, you’ll require a fast and high-performing processor to execute your code in less possible time. If you work with many applications simultaneously and run multiple instances of each application then you should consider core count over processing power. But if you just work with one application then look for a processor that has high clock speed.
Storage
When buying a laptop for programming look for a laptop that has more storage space. It should have enough space to save multiple code files. The best idea is to have an SSD if you want your laptop to perform more quickly. You need at least 256GB SSD, but still, it’s preferable to have 512GB SSD or more for programming.
Favorite Picks
| Name | Preview | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ASUS VivoBook 15 |
  |
4.5/5 |
View |
|
Acer Aspire 5 |
  |
4.4/5 |
View |
|
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15 |
  |
4.6/5 |
View |
Best Budget Laptops for Programming
1. ASUS VivoBook 15 – Best Overall
Whether at work or play, ASUS VivoBook 15 is one of the best options to have when buying a laptop. Its frameless four-sided NanoEdge display and ultraslim give a great experience. It is one of the best budget laptops for programming.
The best thing about this laptop is that it has four processors that give a great processing power of 3.6GHz. It has an amazing 15.6-inch screen and 512GB SSD storage that ensures programs launch quickly and run smoothly.
ASUS VivoBook 15 is equipped with the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 CPU which is more than enough for a programmer or developer. It also features 8GB DDR4 RAM which makes it an excellent choice for a best-budget programming laptop.
| 👍Pros | 👎Cons |
|---|---|
| Thin and Lightweight Laptop | Has a shallow sound |
| High performance with Intel 10 Gen Core i5 Processor with 3.6GHz CPU speed | Users have found battery life issues |
| Ergonomic Backlit keyboard with a fingerprint sensor | |
| 15.6 Full HD (1920 x 1080) display | |
| 8GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD | |
| 4.5 out of 5 user rating |
🔍Check it on Amazon
2. Acer Aspire 5 – Runner up
Acer Aspire 5 is one of the cheap laptops for programming. Despite its low price, it gives a great performance.
Its latest AMD Ryzen 5 5500U mobile processor enhances the CPU power to 4GHz. With this laptop, you’ll get 8GB RAM with 256GB SSD which is enough for programming to write code and quickly opens and runs multiple programs and browser tabs all at once.
The battery life is quite good, it promises to deliver up to 12 hours of use. Its 15.6 inches full HD (1920 x 1080) display helps programmers to easily work and write code. Additionally, it also provides a fingerprint sensor and a backlit keyboard.
If you’re looking for a cheap and affordable programming laptop then this laptop is a perfect choice.
| 👍Pros | 👎Cons |
|---|---|
| Slim laptop with 15.6 inches full HD display | Limited storage space |
| A powerful AMD Ryzen 5 5500U mobile processor | Not a touch screen laptop |
| AMD Radeon Graphics capable of delivering 4k performance | |
| 8GB DDR4 RAM with 256GB SSD storage | |
| up to 12 hours of battery life | |
| Excellent choice for programmers |
🔍Check it on Amazon
3. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 – Budget Pick
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is one of the best budget laptops for programming. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop for programming then this laptop is an excellent choice.
The best thing about this laptop is that it has a powerful 12 Gen Intel core-i5 processor and an Intel Iris Xe graphics card enhances its performance to an exceptional level. Its slim and lightweight packs help you to easily carry everywhere you travel.
It has 15.6 inches FHD IPS display giving you a better experience with higher accuracy. With 8GB RAM (expandable to 16GB) and 512 SSD storage can handle a variety of multitasking and is enough for smooth programming.
| 👍Pros | 👎Cons |
|---|---|
| Slim and Lightweight Laptop | Not a touch screen laptop |
| 15.6 Full HD wider display | |
| Crystal-clear HD webcam, dual microphone, Dolby audio sound, and smart noise canceling | |
| 8GB RAM (Expandable) with 512GB SSD storage | |
| Long battery life 2 hours of use by charging just 15 minutes | |
| Best Budget laptop for programming |
🔍Check it on Amazon
4. Apple MacBook Air M1 – Prime Pick
The Apple MacBook Air M1 is one of the best budget laptops for programming, and it’s no surprise that it’s a top pick amongst programmers.
This powerful laptop has an excellent processor with 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage to run multiple programming applications simultaneously. Its Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU is much faster and delivers great performance than its previous generations by consuming very less power.
MacBook Air is much suited for programmers since its crisp 13-inch Retina display and long battery life of up to 18 hours make it a great choice for long coding sessions. It’s also lightweight and portable, so it’s perfect for taking on the go. If you’re looking for a reliable laptop for programming, the MacBook Air is definitely worth considering.
| 👍Pros | 👎Cons |
|---|---|
| It is equipped with a powerful Apple M1 chip | Not a touch screen laptop |
| 13.3-inch retina display | Fanless design |
| Super fast memory of 8GM and 256GB SSD storage | |
| Long battery life of up to 18 hours | |
| Existing apps including Adobe Creative Cloud plus iPhone and iPad apps | |
| fingerprint unlock feature |
5. Acer Swift X – Pretty Good Deal
A laptop that does everything pretty well. If you’re looking for a laptop that’s solid and has high specs then go with Acer Swift X.
The Acer Swift is a great value for money, featuring the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU with 4GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM.
With 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD, this laptop can perform a variety of tasks and provide the best performance, it’s certainly enough for programming and coding.
Its metal design is thin and lightweight and is ready to go where you go. A faster-charging capability with a long battery life of up to 12 hours.
| 👍Pros | 👎Cons |
|---|---|
|
NVIDIA RTX 3050Ti Laptop GPU |
RAM not upgradeable |
| 14-inch Full HD widescreen IPS LED-backlit display | Not a touchscreen |
| Compatible with Amazon Alexa | |
| 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD | |
| Featuring backlit keyboard | |
| Long battery life of up to 12 hours | |
| Extra SSD slot to upgrade |
🔍Check it on Amazon
6. ASUS ZenBook 13 – Best Display
The Asus ZenBook 13 is one of the best budget laptops for programming. With an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB RAM, and a 512 GB SSD drive, the Asus ZenBook 13 has plenty of power for the most demanding tasks.
It also comes with 13.3 inches full HD wide NanoEdge bezel display. With its slim and lightweight design, the Asus ZenBook 13 won’t weigh down your backpack.
For programming, the Asus ZenBook 13 has all the essential features. The laptop comes with Windows 11 Pro, which includes a wide range of programming tools and languages.
The laptop is also compatible with the most popular development environments and can run multiple IDEs and applications simultaneously. It has a long battery life that lets you stay productive on the go.
When it comes to programming laptops, ASUS Zenbook 13 is a great choice if you want to do programming and coding. With powerful hardware and long battery life, this notebook is perfect for anyone looking for a laptop that can handle heavy workloads. Also, with its sleek design and lightweight frame, you won’t feel weighed down when carrying around your laptop.
| 👍Pros | 👎Cons |
|---|---|
|
Best performance with the Intel core-i7 11 Gen Processor |
Not a touchscreen |
| Stay productive with fast charging and a long-life battery of 13 hours | Only 1 USB 3.0 port |
| 13.3 inch OLED Full HD wid NanoEdge bezel display | |
| The amazing experience of vivid colors with Intel Iris Xe graphics | |
| 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD storage | |
| Edge-to-edge ergonomic backlit keyboard |
🔍Check it on Amazon
Final Thoughts
Above we listed the top 6 best budget laptops for programming they all have the essential features to write code and are capable of working efficiently with multiple applications.
These laptops perform the best in our test and have the best price-to-performance ratio. We’ve evaluated these laptops based on the factors like price, performance, speed, battery life, display, etc. With these reviews in consideration, it would be easier to make a decision to buy the best laptop for programming and coding. If you’ve any questions regarding these products write us in the comments below.
