10 Best Budget Laptops for Coding & Programming (2023)

Coding and programming involve many professions across multiple domains including data science, software development, web development, game development, and even scientific research.

If you are one of those professionals or someone who is getting his feet wet in programming, having the best budget laptop for coding can immensely benefit your work.

In this post, I’ll discuss all the major factors you need to consider before purchasing a coding laptop. Not only that, but I rated and reviewed the 10 best budget laptops for coding & programming available today. You’ll find key specifications, pros, cons, and recommendations to help you find the perfect laptop for your programming needs.

At the end of this post, I listed all major specifications between the best laptops for easy reference.

Let’s get started with a high-level overview.

What is the best budget laptop for coding?

Here are my top picks for the best budget laptops for coding & programming. We’ll cover cheap programming laptops as well as high-budget options.

Best high-budget laptops for coding:

• Best premium laptop for coding: Apple MacBook Pro M2
• Best high-budget laptop for coding: ASUS ZenBook Pro 15
• Best performance Windows laptop for coding: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
• Best value for money programming laptop: Apple MacBook Air M2
• Best classic laptop for coding & programming: Dell XPS 15

Best low-budget laptops for coding:

• Best overall low-budget laptop for coding: HP Pavilion 15
• Best cheap laptop for coding: Acer Aspire 5
• Best value for money budget laptop for coding: Dell Inspiron 14
• Best budget laptop for coding with great performance: Lenovo IdeaPad 3
• Best value for money gaming laptop for coding: HP Victus

1. Apple MacBook Pro M2 (13’’)

Best premium laptop for coding

The MacBook Pro M2 is an elegantly packed powerhouse. The Mac OS is stable, easy to use, and has a great terminal and compatibility, which makes it the perfect choice for programmers. With the introduction of the new Apple M2 chip, this coding laptop can be 1.4x faster than the MacBook M1 model and 6x faster than earlier MacBooks with Intel Core processors.

When it comes to battery life, the new MacBooks leave the competition in the dust. The battery can last for up to 20 hours of video playback and 17 hours of web browsing. Even if your coding projects drain more power, the MacBook Pro can serve you for long hours with a single charge.

Key specifications:

• Processor: Apple M2 chip with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU
• Memory: 8 GB of RAM
• Storage: 256 GB SSD
• Keyboard: Backlit magic keyboard with Touch Bar and Touch ID
• Battery life: Up to 20 hours

Csaba’s Rating:

• Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Display: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Battery life: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Portability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros:

• Long-lasting battery
• Fast speed thanks to the M2 chip
• Beautiful retina display
• Powerful mac OS

Cons:

• 8 GB memory (although you can upgrade)
• 720 p camera (not a big deal for coding projects, but this premium laptop could have deserved a 1080 p camera)
• Limited connectivity (here’s what I use to connect my MacBook to external sources)

2. ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 (15.6”)

Best high-budget laptop for coding

The ASUS ZenBook Pro is the high-end model of the ZenBook series, which are the MacBooks of PCs. It’s clear at first glance that the ASUS ZenBook stands out from Windows laptops. At first, I thought this is my opinion only, but multiple sources confirmed my intuition. If you want a great Windows laptop for coding, look no further.

The ZenBook Pro leaves nothing to chance. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900 processor and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card are at the heart of this laptop computer. Beyond the sheer power, however, this laptop comes with a 4K OLED touch screen, a comfortable keyboard, 1 TB SSD, and amazing battery life, which all make it one of the best laptops for coding.

By simply glancing at this laptop, I’m already attached to it. The only major weakness is that it’s not a Mac. Just kidding.😃 There’re, of course, a few drawbacks listed below but they’re easy to overlook. Otherwise, it’s one of the most powerful laptops you can buy today.

Key specifications:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
• Memory: 16 GB of RAM
• Storage: 1 TB SSD
• Keyboard: ErgoLift hinge and a backlit keyboard with 1.35 mm travel
• Battery life: Up to 17 hours of use (comes with 96WH battery)

Csaba’s Rating:

• Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Display: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Battery life: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Portability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros:

• Long battery life
• Great performance
• Ergonomic keyboard
• Excellent OLED display with 3840 x 2160 resolution

Cons:

• 60Hz display
• Could be lighter
• 720 p camera

3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (14’’)

Best performance Windows laptop for coding

The Lenovo ThinkPad X is one of the best high-budget laptops for coding and productivity. It comes with an Intel Core i7-1280P processor, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, a touchscreen, award-winning keyboards, and a full HD camera.

You not only will have a future-proof programming laptop, but the ThinkPad X1 can accommodate your creative endeavors, too. The only major drawback is its price and the not-so-elite battery life & display for that price.

Key specifications:

• Processor: Intel Core i7-1280P (12th generation)
• Memory: 32 GB of RAM
• Storage: 1 TB SSD
• Keyboard: Spill-resistant, backlit keyboard with air intake design (6 rows)
• Battery life: Up to 13 hours

Csaba’s Rating:

• Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Display: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Battery life: ⭐⭐⭐
• Portability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros:

• Good performance
• Great connectivity with plenty of ports
• Full HD camera
• Excellent portability, lightweight

Cons:

• Battery could last longer for this high-end model
• Could have deserved a superior display

4. Apple MacBook Air M2 (13.6’’)

Best value for money programming laptop

The new MacBook Air M2 outcompetes the MacBook Pro 13 in almost all specs. It’s a great value-for-money laptop computer.

Some people criticize the new design, but I can’t praise it enough. I don’t miss the tapered shape, the midnight blue color looks amazing (although it collects fingerprints like the FBI from day one), the MacBook label disappeared from the screen, and I can now open my laptop with one hand—thank you, Apple.

The screen is a bit larger and significantly better than previous retina screens. The keyboard is also larger than it used to be, and the lighting is superior. I don’t want to write a thesis on the M2 chip, you probably know that it performs quite well.

Altogether, the new MacBook Air M2 is a perfect all-rounder for your coding projects and beyond.

Key specifications:

• Processor: Apple M2 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU
• Memory: 8 GB of RAM
• Storage: 256 GB
• Keyboard: Backlit magic keyboard with Touch ID
• Battery life: Up to 18 hours

Csaba’s Rating:

• Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Display: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Battery life: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Portability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros:

• Excellent performance
• Superior design & screen
• Improved keyboard
• Long battery life
• Powerful mac OS

Cons:

• Limited connectivity (requires a MacBook dongle)
• 8 GB of memory (although you can upgrade)

5. Dell XPS 15 (15.6”)

Best classic laptop for coding & programming

Dell XPS 15 is a good laptop computer from a long-established manufacturer with a massive setup and good performance thanks to the 14-core Intel Core i7 processor.

Except for the old-school 720 p webcam and the boring 1920×1200 screen resolution with a 60 Hz refresh rate, it’s hard to get a grip on this laptop. It comes with 16 GB memory, 512 GB SSD storage space, and an NVIDIA GeForce 3050 graphics card, which are not only more than enough for coding and programming but will also support your creative endeavors such as video editing, gaming, or running special software.

Key specifications:

• Processor: Intel Core i7-12700H,14 cores, 4.7 GHz (12th gen)
• Memory: 16 GB of RAM
• Storage: 512 GB SSD
• Keyboard: Full-size backlit keyboard with 1.3 mm travel
• Battery life: Up to 13 hours

Csaba’s Rating:

• Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Display: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Battery life: ⭐⭐⭐
• Portability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros:

• Solid performance & massive setup
• Generous configuration
• Highly reliable

Cons:

• Compromised portability (bit heavy, medium battery life)
• Old display
• 720 p camera

6. HP Pavilion 15 (15.6″)

Best overall low-budget laptop for coding

The HP Pavilion 15 is a real budget laptop for coding and programming. If you want an affordable laptop from a great manufacturer, without compromising processing power, HP Pavilion is a great deal.

This HP laptop has everything you need and nothing you don’t. The Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor coupled with 16 GB of memory and 1 TB SSD storage, plus a 15-inch full HD display and an array of ports should suffice for all kinds of coding and programming projects across different locations.

Key specifications:

• Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7, 4 cores, 2.40GHz, up to 4.20GHz
• Memory: 16 GB of RAM
• Storage: 1 TB SSD
• Keyboard: Full-sized backlit keyboard
• Battery life: Up to 9 hours

Csaba’s Rating:

• Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Display: ⭐⭐⭐
• Battery life: ⭐⭐⭐
• Portability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros:

• Generous configuration for a small budget
• Superior connectivity
• Massive design
• Large storage space

Cons:

• Below-average battery life

7. Acer Aspire 5 (15.6″)

Best cheap laptop for coding

The Acer Aspire 5 is a great deal for anyone who wants a solid yet affordable laptop for coding. It’s hard to find a major weakness for this price: nothing fancy here, just sheer power.

Acer Aspire is powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 series processor, which is built for maximum performance. Coupled with 16 GB memory, 512 GB storage space, and a screen size of 15-inch, you can rest assured that this laptop computer will support your coding projects for the times to come.

Key specifications:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U, 6 cores, up to 4.0 GHz
• Memory: 16 GB of RAM
• Storage: 512 GB SSD
• Keyboard: Full-sized backlit keyboard
• Battery life: Up to 11 hours

Csaba’s Rating:

• Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Display: ⭐⭐⭐
• Battery life: ⭐⭐⭐
• Portability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros:

• Solid performance
• Affordable price
• Superior connectivity

Cons:

• Hard to name a major weakness at this price except for the average battery life

8. Dell Inspiron 14 (14’’)

Best value for money budget laptop for coding

If you’re on a tight budget, the Dell Inspiron 14 laptop offers an excellent configuration at a modest price. Packed with an AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor, 16 GB of memory, lots of storage space, and a 14-inch full HD screen, it’s a real budget laptop for coding.

The full HD camera is rare in this category, which elevates Dell from the competition. The fingerprint sensor makes it easy to log in and secure your computer.

Key specifications:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5825U with 8 cores
• Memory: 16 GB of RAM
• Storage: 512 GB SSD
• Keyboard: Full-sized backlit keyboard
• Battery life: Up to 12 hours

Csaba’s Rating:

• Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Display: ⭐⭐⭐
• Battery life: ⭐⭐⭐
• Portability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Excellent performance
• Great connectivity
• FHD camera

Cons:

• Medium battery life

9. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (14”)

Best budget laptop for coding with great performance

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a relatively cheap laptop for coding despite its solid configuration. It comes with an Intel Core i7 series quad-core processor, 20 GB of memory, and plenty of storage space.

It’s hard to point to a major weakness in this price range and the IdeaPad looks pretty solid. Lenovo is known for manufacturing great keyboards, but there’s one caveat here: the keyboard has no backlight. If you’re coding at night, probably this laptop isn’t your best option.

Key specifications:

• Processor: Intel Core i7-1165G7, 4 cores, up to 4.7GHz
• Memory (RAM): 20 GB
• Storage: 1 TB SSD
• Keyboard: 6-row non-backlit keyboard
• Battery life: Up to 12 hours

Csaba’s Rating:

• Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Display: ⭐⭐⭐
• Battery life: ⭐⭐⭐
• Portability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Solid performance
• Great connectivity
• Lots of storage space

Cons:

• Non-backlit keyboard (it’s a big one)
• Medium battery life

10. HP Victus (15.6‘’)

Best value for money gaming laptop for coding

HP Victus 15 is an affordable yet great gaming laptop, which at the same time makes it a perfect budget laptop for coding.

It comes with an Intel Core i5-12450H quad-core processor, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, 16 GB of memory, 1 TB SSD, plenty of ports, and a 15.6-inch Full HD screen with 144 Hz refresh rate.

On the low side, there is the heaviness and the average battery life, but given that it’s a gaming laptop, you can live with that.

Key specifications:

• Processor: Intel Core i5-12450H
• Memory: 16 GB of RAM
• Storage: 1 TB SSD
• Keyboard: Backlit keyboard with integrated numeric pad
• Battery life: Around 10 hours

Csaba’s Rating:

• Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Display: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Battery life: ⭐⭐⭐
• Portability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros:

• Affordable price for a generous configuration
• Dedicated NVIDIA GeForce graphics card
• Screen with 144 Hz refresh rate
• Plenty of ports for maximum connectivity

Cons:

• Average battery life
• Bit heavy (but hey, it’s a gaming laptop)

What is the best budget laptop for coding, anyway?

Finding the best laptop for coding depends on the industry you’re working in, your coding framework, your mobility, and whether you’re using a remote server for your computing-heavy tasks.

Here’re a few things to consider:

• Operating system: This is the first thing you must decide on that will determine your choices. Generally, Windows, Linux, and Mac OS are the operating systems that most programmers use, and compatibility is of utmost importance. You can purchase a Windows laptop and run Ubuntu on it or go with a Mac. Chromebooks are not-so-great choices because Chrome OS often lacks compatibility with standalone software.
• Performance: The processor as well as the available memory and space will largely determine your laptop’s performance. In the Q&A section, you’ll find general recommendations on all those variables.
• Portability: Again, a lot depends on how much remote work you do. Make sure you choose wisely the weight, size, available ports, and battery life of your coding laptop. To me, the most important factor is battery life. I recommend you look for a minimum of 10 hours of working time. Also note that coding projects as well as everyday work and multitasking may drain your batteries earlier than the labels suggest.
• Keyboard: Coders are notoriously known for being night owls. That’s why getting a comfortable backlit keyboard is essential. Unfortunately, there’re still some models that don’t support keyboard lighting, so watch the labels carefully. Beyond backlight, you can look for travel times, ergonomics, size, spacing, function keys, and more.
• Screen: The default screen is still the good old full HD IPS display, which can be enough for coding and programming. If you want to use your laptop for different purposes (which is likely you will), I recommend upgrading to a higher-resolution screen. OLED displays and Apple’s Retina and Liquid Retina displays are great choices if you have the budget. If you’re looking for the best cheap laptops, FHD displays will suffice. Regarding screen size, a 13-inch screen is highly portable yet visible, but I recommend you invest in a higher screen size if you are not on a tight budget.
• Complementarity: You can upgrade hardware on some laptops models, while others are more cemented. Check the labels and think of your future coding projects before you purchase a new laptop. It’s always a good idea to future-proof your computer with more power.

Let’s dive into the FAQ section below to find out what you should watch for when you’re purchasing a new coding laptop.

Best budget laptops for coding: FAQ

1. What are the key specifications of the best budget laptop for coding?

I’d opt for an Intel Core i5 or i7 series processor or an AMD Ryzen alternative and at least 8 GB (but preferably 16 GB) of memory. Storage space is not essential provided that you’re working with data in the cloud. Generally, you don’t even need a powerhouse because most data scientists work on remote servers. Machine learning and game development projects can benefit from a dedicated graphics card, otherwise, it’s not essential. As a coding laptop, aim for at least 8-10 hours of battery life, a full HD screen, low weight, and genuine connectivity with HDMI and USB ports. Pick a Linux, Mac, or Windows laptop, depending on your preferences, frameworks, programming languages, and data science projects.

2. Which operating system is best for coding?

Mac OS, Windows, and Linux are the most popular operating systems for programming. While developers like Linux because of its security, stability, and customization options, Mac OS and Windows are still great choices. Coders like Mac OS for its robust terminal and command-line interface, while others prefer Windows for its affordability, popularity, and compatibility. Also, you can use virtual machines to cross the boundary between different operating systems. Chromebooks run on Chrome OS, which is generally less suitable for coding and programming.

3. Is a dedicated graphics card necessary for a coding laptop?

As a rule of thumb, you won’t need a dedicated graphics card for coding. Having a powerful processor and sufficient memory are more important. Dedicated graphics cards can serve you well in machine learning and graphics-intensive projects.

4. Can I use a budget laptop for coding, or do I need to invest in a more expensive computer?

People often think that coding requires a powerhouse. While certain projects will benefit from a more expensive laptop computer, you can enjoy your work on a budget laptop most of the time. Check the system requirements of your coding environment before you purchase a new budget laptop for coding. It’s a good idea to look for the long term and choose a laptop that can receive hardware updates or invest in a more powerful machine upfront. The more time you spend coding (and by your computer), the more important is to invest in a good one.

5. Are there any specific keyboard features to look for in a coding laptop?

Coding happens at the keyboard. Often at night or in poor light conditions. Therefore, it’s a must to get a backlit keyboard. (I’m still surprised how big laptop brands still save money on that.) A lot depends on your preferences, but having a full-sized, comfortable keyboard with a good typing angle can be highly beneficial for coding. Function keys and programmable keys also serve well in coding projects.

6. How much RAM do I need for coding?

You’ll need a minimum of 8 GB of RAM for basic coding projects but upgrading to 16 GB is a great choice for multitasking, working with big data, running resource-intensive tasks, and future-proofing your coding laptop. Machine learning projects may benefit from more available memory. Some laptops won’t support upgrading your memory on the go.

7. What is the ideal screen size and resolution for coding?

If you often work from home, a 13-inch display will suffice. You can connect your coding laptop to an external display or two and enjoy the screen real estate. If you are more mobile and don’t want to invest in a monitor, I’d recommend larger screens. Most Windows laptops come with a full HD screen, which is enough for coding. If you’re using your coding laptop for everyday work and consuming multimedia, upgrading to a higher-resolution OLED screen will be great. A bigger screen may increase the weight of your computer and could increase the price tag. See the comparison table below for further reference.

To read more about the best laptops for increasing your productivity, check out my other guides:

• 10 Best Laptops for Project Management in 2023
• 10 Best Budget Laptops for Podcasting (with Expert Picks)
• 10 Best Laptops for Zoom and Google Classroom in 2023

Best budget laptops for coding compared

Cover photo by Danial Igdery on Unsplash