Having a laptop suited to your needs is important for consumers, but essential for software developers. You want the best laptop for programming, because if the machine isn't well suited for coding, it could be a significant hindrance.

Luckily, there are a variety of options for different types of programmer on every budget. We've put together a list of the best and highest rated machines for every circumstance.

What Makes a Good Programming Laptop

Before starting, let's define what specifications a good coding machine will have. While these can vary depending on the type of development involved, there are some baselines to consider:

Processor: 8th Generation Intel i5 minimum, i7 for game and VR development.

RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB or above for game and VR development.

Hard Disk: Solid-state Drives (SSDs) speed up booting and loading considerably.

Display and Graphics: While small laptops are easy to transport, an HD screen is essential for readability. Game developers will also need dedicated a graphics card.

Keyboard: A bad keyboard can ruin a user experience, no matter how good the specifications are!

There are exceptions to these requirements, but as a general rule, any laptop meeting all of them will be ideal. Which are the best though?

Best Laptop for Coding
Dell XPS 13