Best laptop for programming in 2022 TechRadar Skip to main content TechRadar is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. Best laptop for programming in 2022 By Collin Probst Contributions from Matt Hanson, Michelle Rae Uy published 4 October 2022 Top laptops for coders, developers and sysadmins PRICE VERDICT REASONS TO BUY REASONS TO AVOID VERDICT REASONS TO BUY REASONS TO AVOID (Image credit: Unsplash) You can code from anywhere with one of the best laptops for programming. And, picking one isn't too hard either. However, you do need to keep several factors in mind when narrowing down your search. When you're running and testing code, you need enough performance so that your workflow isn't at the mercy of your portable's limitations. Look for the best processors and speedy RAM to keep up with your projects. Grab a fast and large-capacity SSD as well. You don't want to wait too long for projects and files to load. Just as important as what's under the hood, the laptop must be easy and comfortable. A quality keyboard is a must for all that coding. And a display that won't strain your eyes after hours of use is also important. If you plan on spending most of your time traveling on the road, consider something that's thin and light for better portability, such as one of the best Ultrabooks. Whether you want a MacBook Pro, a Windows 11 laptop, a powerful Chromebook, or even a Linux-powered portable, we've collected our top picks for the best laptops for programming here. You'll also find some fairly affordable, setting you back just a bit more than the best laptops under $500. Read on to find which one works best for you, and don't forget to take advantage of our included price comparison tool to get the best price. The best laptop for programming 2022 HP Spectre x360 (2021) (Image credit: HP) 1 HP Spectre x360 2021 Best overall laptop for programming SpecificationsCPU: 11th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7Graphics: Intel Iris Xe GraphicsRAM: 8GB – 16GBScreen: 13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS BrightView micro-edge WLED-backlit multitouch – 13.3" diagonal 4K (3840 x 2160) UWVA BrightView micro-edge AMOLED multitouchStorage: 256GB – 2TB SSDspecificationsProcessorIntel Core i5, Intel Core i7RAM8GB RAM - 16GB RAMStorage Size256GB - 2TBRead more ▼Today's Best DealsCheck Amazon (opens in new tab)VIEW DEAL (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Powerful Intel Whiskey Lake processors+12-hour battery life+Thin, light, and portable Reasons to avoid-More powerful than some users will need The HP Spectre x360 (2021) 2-in-1 laptop had a significant refresh, and the boost in specs, with 11th-generation Intel Core processors and Intel Iris Xe graphics, along with the impeccable 2-in-1 design and new gem-cut chassis, means that this version is at the top of our best laptops for programmers list. The HP Spectre line has always consisted of stunning devices. So, when we say that the Spectre x360 takes things to another level, that should mean something. Not only is this one of the most beautiful laptops on the market right now – with its gem-cut design and sleek profile, but it's tough on the inside. HP fitted this with impressively long battery life, which means that you're getting one of the best laptops on the market, hands down. As such, it's also the best laptop for programming right now. Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 (2021) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme (Image credit: Lenovo) 2 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme laptopGreat power, massive price tag SpecificationsCPU: up to 8th-generation Intel Core i7Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti with Max-Q designRAM: up to 64GBScreen: 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) – 15.6" 4K UHD HDR (3840 x 2160) multi-touchStorage: up to 1TB SSDspecificationsProcessorIntel Core i7RAM16GB RAM - 64GB RAMStorage Size512GB - 1TBRead more ▼Today's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Lenovo USA (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Extreme mobile workstation+Multiple configuration options+Robust carbon-fiber and aluminum package Reasons to avoid-More power than some users will need If you have the funds for an unstoppable workhorse, then Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Extreme mobile workstation is the best laptop for programming for you. This laptop gets our vote as one of the best Lenovo laptops for many reasons. It has several configurations on hand, depending on your needs and budget. Still, at its most basic, it's already pretty powerful, packed with a solid graphics card in a robust carbon-fiber and aluminum package that will survive any office or field. The only negative? You get what you pay for, and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme comes with a price tag to match its power. Read the full review: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme MacBook Pro 14" (Image credit: Apple) 3 MacBook Pro 14-inch 2021 Mightily impressive SpecificationsCPU: Apple M1 Pro 8-core – M1 Max 10-coreGraphics: Integrated 14-core – 32-core GPURAM: Up to 64GBScreen: 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR displayStorage: Up to 8TBspecificationsProcessorApple M1 ProRAM16GB RAMStorage Size512GB - 1TBRead more ▼Today's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Brilliant performance+Best screen on a laptop Reasons to avoid-Screen may be a bit small for some The MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) is brilliant for creative workflows, but it's also terrific for programming. Taking the MacBook Pro to the ultimate level, this M1 Pro- or M1 Max-powered laptop blows the rest away with breathtaking power, an equally breathtaking battery life, and an XDR display with 1600 nits of peak brightness. The SD card slot, an HDMI port, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports help ensure that you have all the peripherals you need. Read the full review: MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) Google Pixelbook Go (Image credit: Google) 4 Google Pixelbook Go The best Chromebook and laptop for programming SpecificationsCPU: Intel Core m3 - Intel Core i7Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 615RAM: 8GB - 16GBScreen: 13.3-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) or 4K LCD touchscreenStorage: 128GB - 256GB eMMCspecificationsProcessorIntel Core i5RAM8GB RAMStorage Size128GBRead more ▼Today's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+11-hour battery life+Amazing 'Hush' keyboard+The best Chromebook Reasons to avoid-No biometric login-Chrome OS only Google's Pixelbook Go is the best Chromebook money can buy right now, and it's also a great laptop for programming. Coming with a more affordable price tag than its predecessor, the Pixelbook, Google's latest Chromebook still packs plenty of the premium features the original came with, including fantastic battery life, and one of the best keyboards we've used on a laptop - a vital consideration when looking for a computer for programming. Sure, it doesn't use Windows 10 - instead, it runs Chrome OS - but for most programmers, especially web developers, this won't be an issue. You can also install Linux on this thing, making it an even more versatile laptop for programming. It features some impressive specs for a Chromebook, which ensures that Chrome OS positively flies on this device, and puts its performance on par with many of the more expensive Windows laptops and MacBooks. Read the full review: Google Pixelbook Go MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) (Image credit: Apple) 5 MacBook Pro 13-inch M2 2022 Apple's most affordable MacBook Pro for programming SpecificationsCPU: Apple M2 with 8-core CPUGraphics: Integrated 10-core GPURAM: 8GB – 24GBScreen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 display with P3 and True Tone technologyStorage: 256GB – 2TB SSDDimensions (H x W x D): 30.41 x 21.24 x 1.56 cmspecificationsRAM8GB RAMStorage Size256GB - 512GBScreen Size13.3-inchRead more ▼Today's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+M2 chip is a brilliant performer+Excellent battery life+Almost silent in use Reasons to avoid-No new design-Still only two Thunderbolt ports Despite the lack of design updates, the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) brings welcome improvements to Apple's most affordable MacBook Pro. Thanks to Apple's latest M2 chip, it delivers performance and battery life that is better than its predecessor's. Our testing has shown that it offers better performance in both single and multi-core CPU tests than the M1 model and Microsoft's Surface Laptop 4. With more than enough power to see you through intensive workloads like video editing, it will certainly see programmers through their daily coding demands. That's while keeping things cool and quiet – we found that the fans rarely kick in even when performing demanding tasks, lasting more than 15 hours, and costing the same as its predecessor. If you're looking for a more affordable MacBook Pro for your programming needs, this one's hard to beat. Read the full review: MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch) 6 Microsoft Surface Book 2 13 5-inch A powerful 2-in-1 SpecificationsCPU: Intel Core i5 – i7Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050RAM: 8GB – 16GBScreen: 13.5-inch 3,000 x 2,000 PixelSense Display with touchscreenStorage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB PCIe SSDspecificationsProcessorIntel Core i5, Intel Core i7RAM8GB RAM - 16GB RAMStorage Size128GB - 1TBRead more ▼Today's Best DealsView at Microsoft US (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+One of the most powerful 2-in-1 laptops+Quiet, fanless design Reasons to avoid-No Surface Pen included The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is an excellent choice for any coders out there, as Microsoft has crafted one of the most powerful 2-in-1 laptops on the planet. After all, it boasts components powerful enough to handle pretty much everything you could throw at it – including some light gaming in your downtime. If you're looking for a larger display, there's a 15-inch model, which also features beefier components – albeit at a higher price tag. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch) MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020) (Image credit: Apple) 7 MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 2020 Apple's little MacBook Pro gets a big refresh SpecificationsCPU: Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPUGraphics: Integrated 8-core GPURAM: 8GB – 16GB unified memoryScreen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 LED-backlit Retina displayStorage: 256GB – 2TB SSDspecificationsRAM8GB RAMStorage Size256GB - 512GBColourSilverRead more ▼Today's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Apple (opens in new tab)View at Musician's Friend (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+13-hour battery life+Powerful M1 chip+Can run iOS apps Reasons to avoid-More expensive than other featured MacBooks The MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020) may not have gotten a massive design overhaul, but what it lacks in that department, it makes up for in performance and battery life thanks to Apple's groundbreaking M1 chip. This MacBook Pro has the longest battery life of a MacBook allowing you to use it for programming for hours on end without having to worry about stopping to find a charger. The M1 chip is no slouch when it comes to performance, so compiling and testing code is extremely quick as well. If you have the budget for it, this is a programming laptop that will last you for years. Read the full review: MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020) LG Gram 17 (Image credit: LG) 8 LG Gram 17 A super-light 17-inch laptop for programming SpecificationsCPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7Graphics: Intel Iris PlusRAM: 16GBScreen: 17-inch 1600p (2,560 x 1,600)Storage: 2 x 512GB SSDToday's Best DealsVisit Site (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Very lightweight design+14-hour battery life+Beautiful 17" screen Reasons to avoid-Not the fastest processor The LG Gram 17 abandons the full-fat H-series processors for Intel Ice Lake Ultrabook-class chips and makes up for that by being a 17-inch laptop that's as light as a 13-inch one. This all means you can get a gorgeous 17-inch 1600p display in a laptop that weighs just 2.98 lbs (1.35kg). So, for programmers who need nice, big screens to work on, this is a fantastic choice, and you can comfortably carry it around with you wherever you go. When you couple that lightweight design with the fact that the battery lasted more than 14 hours in our testing, you have the recipe for the perfect laptop for programming on. Read the full review: LG Gram 17 Asus Chromebook Flip C436F (Image credit: Asus) 9 Asus Chromebook Flip C436F C436FAA whole lotta hits SpecificationsCPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i3 – i5Graphics: Intel UHD GraphicsRAM: 8GB – 16GB 2133MHz LPDDR3Screen: 14" LED-backlit Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 displayStorage: 512GB / 256GB / 128GB PCIe® NVMe 3.0x 2 M.2 SSDToday's Best DealsCheck Amazon (opens in new tab)Visit Site (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Superb performance+Premium build and features+Cheaper than the Google Pixelbook+Thin and lightweight Reasons to avoid-Touchpad and the touch display not as accurate as rivals Premium Chromebooks occupy their own space in the laptop market, bridging that gap between powerful traditional laptops and super lightweight Chromebooks. And, the Asus Chromebook Flip C436F/C436FA is perhaps one of the very few examples of these out there, with its combination of superb power, terrific feature set, and premium build, but a price tag that's cheaper than its rivals. This makes the Asus Chromebook Flip C436F/C436FA perfect for web developers who need a powerful machine. Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip C436F Microsoft Surface Pro 8 (Image credit: Microsoft) 10 Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Rebirth of the Surface Pro SpecificationsCPU: Up to 11th-gen Intel Core i7Graphics: Intel Iris Xe GraphicsRAM: Up to 32GB LPDDR4xScreen: 13-inch PixelSense Flow displayStorage: Up to 1TBspecificationsProcessorIntel Core i5, Intel Core i7RAM8GB RAM - 32GB RAMStorage Size128GB - 1TBRead more ▼Today's Best DealsView at Microsoft US (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Faster processors+Gorgeous new design Reasons to avoid-More expensive The Surface Pro 8 comes with an all-new design, but it boasts internals that are faster than ever – just the ticket for all your demanding coding needs. It's not just ideal for illustrators, graphic artists, and other creative professionals. There are other things to love here as well, like the two Thunderbolt 4 ports and the 2-in-1 design. Its bigger screen with a 120Hz refresh rate is also a nice upgrade, giving you more space to spread out for a more seamless workflow. The higher price is going to get in the way for some, but it might just be worth it for pros. Read the full review: Surface Pro 8 CrowPi-L Raspberry Pi (Image credit: Future) 11 CrowPi-L Raspberry Pi laptopA Raspberry Pi laptop for all agesToday's Best DealsVISIT SITE (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Simple assembly process+GPIO accessible externally+Spare HDMI output Reasons to avoid-Ineffective cooling-Low-resolution screen-Touchpad located above the keyboard The CrowPi-L Raspberry Pi laptop is a kit aimed at young tinkerers. With a fuss-free assembly process, the end result is a small and powerful notebook that is ideal to begin one's journey into the world of programming. The laptop can interact with various electronic modules using an extension board that connects to the Pi's GPIO header. Equipped with one HDMI connector, two USB3.0 connectors, and a Gigabit Ethernet jack, the CrowPi-L is an ARM laptop also suitable for software development. For a little over $200 without the Raspberry Pi, the CrowPi-L is a budget PC that supports only 1366x768 pixels. The ineffective cooling system hinders the performance of the Pi, with benchmarks showing a Dual-core performance instead of a Quad-core. That said, the laptop has a lot of potential so be ready to spend time tweaking it. Read our full review: CrowPi-L Raspberry Pi laptop (opens in new tab)Round up of today's best dealsRecommended Retail... (opens in new tab)Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$2,795.40 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$1,999 (opens in new tab)$1,599 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)Google Pixelbook Go (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$999 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)Apple Macbook Pro 13 (2022) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$1,299 (opens in new tab)$1,249 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5 inch) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$52.49 (opens in new tab)$45.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)Apple Macbook Pro 13" (M1 2020) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$1,499.99 (opens in new tab)$1,189.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)Microsoft Surface Pro 8 (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$17.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best pricespowered by Collin ProbstB2B Hardware Editor, TechRadar ProCollin is the B2B Hardware Editor for TechRadar Pro. He has been in journalism for years with experience in both small and large markets including Gearadical, DailyBeast, FutureNet and more. With contributions fromMatt HansonManaging Editor, Computing and EntertainmentMichelle Rae UyBuying Guides Editor See more Laptops news Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to theTechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again. MOST POPULARMOST SHARED1The iPhone 14 Pro is made of the wrong stuff; the Pixel 7 proves that to me2Stop saying Mario doesn't have an accent in The Super Mario Bros. 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