Best Programming Laptops for Beginners

Best Beginner Programming Laptops to Buy in January 2026

1

HP OmniBook 5 14 inch Next Gen AI PC, OLED Display, Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, Qualcomm Adreno GPU, Windows 11 Home, Copilot+ PC, Glacier Silver, 14-he0099nr

• 34-HOUR BATTERY LIFE & FAST CHARGE: STAY POWERED FOR UP TO 34 HOURS!

• SEAMLESS MULTITASKING WITH SNAPDRAGON: EXPERIENCE RESPONSIVE AI-DRIVEN PERFORMANCE.

• STUNNING 2K OLED DISPLAY: ENJOY VIBRANT VISUALS AND ULTRA-FAST RESPONSE TIMES!

BUY & SAVE

$678.20

2

NIMO 15.6'' FHD IPS Student-Laptop-Computer - 16GB RAM 512GB SSD, AMD Ryzen 5(Beat i5-1135G7, 4 Cores Up to 3.7GHz), 65W Type-C, 2 Years Warranty, Fingerprint, Backlit Keyboard, Wi-Fi 5, BT5.2

• 2-YEAR WARRANTY & EASY 90-DAY RETURNS FOR PEACE OF MIND
• BLAZING-FAST SSD & UPGRADABLE RAM FOR SEAMLESS PERFORMANCE
• FINGERPRINT READER & BACKLIT KEYBOARD ENHANCE USER CONVENIENCE

BUY & SAVE

$499.99

3

Coolby 15.6inch Laptop, 12GB RAM/256GB SSD, 1920x1080 IPS Display, Intel N95(Beats N5095) Quad Core Laptop Computer, Support Fingerprint, WiFi 5, BT

• POWERFUL N95 CHIP: 4 CORES, 3.4 GHZ, PERFECT FOR MULTITASKING & MEDIA.

• VIBRANT 1080P IPS DISPLAY: STUNNING VISUALS & EYE PROTECTION FOR EXTENDED USE.

• DUAL CHARGING & CONNECTIVITY: TWO TYPE-C PORTS FOR FLEXIBLE POWER AND DATA TRANSFER.

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$259.00

4

18.5 Inch Laptop with 8000 mAh Battery,Intel N150 Quad-Core Processor UP to 3.6GHZ,16GB DDR4 RAM 512GB SSD,WiFi 5,Full HD IPS Display,WIFI,2025 Windows 11 Laptops Computer for Business Office Student

• FAST PERFORMANCE: INTEL N150 CPU AND 16GB RAM FOR SEAMLESS MULTITASKING.

• LONG BATTERY LIFE: 8000MAH BATTERY ENSURES WORRY-FREE PRODUCTIVITY ON-THE-GO.

• VIVID DISPLAY: 18.5 IPS SCREEN OFFERS STUNNING VISUALS AND SMOOTH INTERACTIONS.

BUY & SAVE

$429.99 $799.99

Save 46%

5

acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop | 15.6" Full HD | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core | AMD Radeon Graphics | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB NVMe SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Windows 11 Home

• SLEEK DESIGN: TRAVEL LIGHT AND STYLISHLY WITH THE ASPIRE 3.
• POWERFUL PERFORMANCE: AMD RYZEN 3 ENSURES PRODUCTIVITY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.
• STUNNING DISPLAY: ENJOY VIBRANT VISUALS ON A 15.6 FULL HD IPS SCREEN.

BUY & SAVE

$311.90

6

Lenovo 2026 New Generation Business and Student Laptop, Ryzen 3 7000-Series(Outperforms Intel i5-1235U), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 15.6" FHD Display, Ultra Slim Design, Long Battery Life, Windows 11 Pro

• BOOST PRODUCTIVITY WITH AI-DRIVEN WINDOWS COPILOT FOR SMART ASSISTANCE!
• POWERFUL AMD RYZEN 3 PROCESSOR DELIVERS SMOOTH PERFORMANCE FOR MULTITASKING.
• 15.6 FULL HD DISPLAY OFFERS CRYSTAL-CLEAR VISUALS FOR WORK AND ENTERTAINMENT.

BUY & SAVE

$539.99

7

HP 14 Laptop, Intel Celeron N4020, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB Storage, 14-inch Micro-edge HD Display, Windows 11 Home, Thin & Portable, 4K Graphics, One Year of Microsoft 365 (14-dq0040nr, Snowflake White)

• ULTRA-PORTABLE DESIGN WITH 79% SCREEN-TO-BODY RATIO FOR EASE OF USE.
• ENJOY STUNNING VISUALS ON A VIBRANT 14-INCH HD DISPLAY.
• POWERFUL INTEL CELERON ENSURES ALL-DAY PERFORMANCE FOR ANY TASK.

BUY & SAVE

$172.16 $229.99

Save 25%

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ONE MORE?

There is no one definitive answer to what the best programming laptop is, as it depends on individual needs and preferences. However, some commonly recommended laptops for programming include:

1. MacBook Pro: Known for its powerful performance, MacOS environment, and smooth user experience.
2. Dell XPS 15: Offers a great balance of performance and portability, with a high-resolution display.
3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: Known for its durability and excellent keyboard, with strong performance capabilities.
4. HP Spectre x360: Features a versatile convertible design, solid performance, and a long battery life.
5. Asus ZenBook Pro Duo: Equipped with a unique dual-screen display, offering more screen real estate for coding and multitasking.

Ultimately, it's important to choose a laptop with sufficient processing power, RAM, storage, and a comfortable keyboard to meet your programming requirements.

How often should laptops be replaced?

The frequency at which laptops should be replaced depends on several factors including the user's needs and preferences, as well as the laptop's performance and condition. On average, laptops are expected to last around 3-5 years before they start to significantly degrade in performance or encounter hardware issues. However, some individuals may choose to replace their laptops more frequently, especially if they require the latest technology or have specific performance requirements. Conversely, others may use their laptops for longer periods, especially if they are primarily used for basic tasks such as web browsing or word processing. Ultimately, the decision to replace a laptop depends on the individual's specific circumstances and satisfaction with the device's performance.

Is a 13-inch laptop good for programming?

Yes, a 13-inch laptop can be good for programming, depending on your needs and preferences.

Pros of a 13-inch laptop for programming:

1. Portable: The smaller form factor makes it easier to carry around, which is great for programmers who travel or work in different locations.
2. Cost-effective: Compared to larger laptops, 13-inch models tend to be more affordable, making it a suitable option if budget is a concern.
3. Adequate display size: While a larger display might offer more screen real estate, a 13-inch laptop can still provide sufficient space for coding and navigating multiple windows or tabs.
4. Energy-efficient: Smaller laptops generally consume less power, resulting in longer battery life, which can be useful for lengthy coding sessions on the go.

Cons of a 13-inch laptop for programming:

1. Limited screen space: Some programmers prefer larger displays for better visibility and multitasking. If you often work with multiple windows or need to view complex code simultaneously, a larger screen might be more beneficial.
2. Smaller keyboard: If you have larger hands or prefer a more spacious keyboard, typing on a 13-inch laptop might feel cramped.
3. Limited upgrade options: Smaller laptops often have limited room for hardware upgrades, so if you anticipate the need for significant hardware upgrades in the future, a larger laptop could be a better choice.

Ultimately, the suitability of a 13-inch laptop for programming depends on your personal preferences, work requirements, and budget. It's important to consider the screen size, keyboard comfort, portability, and the specific programming tasks you'll be undertaking.

What is better for programming: a laptop or a desktop?

The choice between a laptop and a desktop for programming depends on the individual's needs and preferences. Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages:

Laptop:

1. Portability: Laptops are portable and allow programmers to work from various locations.
2. Flexibility: Can easily take a laptop to meetings, work remotely, or travel with it.
3. Space-saving: Takes up less physical space compared to a desktop setup.
4. Sufficient performance: Modern laptops can offer high processing power and performance capabilities.

Desktop:

1. Power and performance: Desktops usually provide more powerful hardware configurations than laptops, making them suitable for resource-intensive tasks.
2. Better cooling: They generally have better cooling systems as they can accommodate more efficient cooling mechanisms.
3. Upgradability: Allows easier customization and upgrading of components such as processors, graphics cards, and memory.
4. Dual-monitor support: Easier to set up multiple monitors, which can enhance productivity for programmers.

Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preferences, mobility requirements, workspace availability, performance needs, and budget constraints. Some programmers may prefer the flexibility and portability of a laptop, while others may prioritize performance and customization options provided by a desktop.

What laptop do most programmers use?

There is no specific laptop that most programmers use as it largely depends on personal preferences and specific programming needs. However, some popular laptop brands and models among programmers include:

1. Apple MacBook Pro: Many programmers prefer MacBook Pros for their build quality, performance, and the convenience of the macOS system, which is known for its strong development environment.
2. Dell XPS 15: The Dell XPS 15 is a Windows laptop known for its powerful specifications, high-quality display, and good build quality, making it suitable for programming tasks.
3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is often favored by programmers due to its excellent keyboard, lightweight design, and durability. It also offers strong performance and long battery life.
4. HP Spectre x360: The Spectre x360 is a popular choice among programmers, offering a combination of a versatile 2-in-1 design, powerful performance, and good battery life.
5. System76 Gazelle: System76 is a company that specializes in Linux-based laptops optimized for development. The Gazelle model from System76 is well-regarded among programmers due to its open-source operating system compatibility and strong hardware specifications.

Ultimately, the choice of a laptop varies among programmers depending on their requirements, preferred operating system, budget, and personal preferences.