You don’t need a laptop with staggering specs to write code. The best laptops for programming maximize functionality in a few key areas that matter most.
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.
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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.
- Customizable to how much CPU and RAM you need
- The upper limits of how much RAM and CPU you can have are staggering
- Liquid Retina display
- Now compatible with 8K displays
- Availability for new M2 Pro and M2 Max models starts on Jan. 24
Tech specs: RAM: Up to 96 GB with M2 Max chip | CPU: Up to 12 cores | Battery life: Up to 22 hours
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.