top of page

Best Laptops for Coding, Programming & Development.

Updated: Dec 9, 2022



This article will review top performing macOS & Windows based laptops balancing cost, power, durability and most importantly cater to those of us in the programming and engineering world.

In order to choose the right laptop, there are some key features that you’ll want to consider in order to make an educated decision. They are:

  • Processing Power (CPU)

  • Memory (RAM)

  • Hard Disk Drive

  • Screen Size

  • Battery Performance

  • Available Communication Ports

  • Operating Systems

It should be noted that most programmers or engineering students will need to run multiple software packages. This can include, PLC Programming software, HMI development software, CAD software, and multiple operating systems to support legacy systems via virtual machines.

In addition to this, portability and battery life is an important factor as well in choosing the best laptop for PLC programming.


#10. Asus ROG Zephyrus 15 2021 Premium Laptop

Key Specifications

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS 8 Core – 16 Thread Processor, 3.0 GHz (Max Turbo Frequency 4.6 GHz)

  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 w/ 8 GB GDDR6 (Features Max-Q Techonologies | Max TGP 100W – Boost Clock 1290MHz)

  • RAM: 16 GB (1 x 8 GB On-Board + 1 x 8 GB) of fast DDR4 3200MHz memory

  • Storage: 1 TB M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe SSD

  • Display: 6″ Matte QHD 165Hz 3ms IPS-Level

  • Output: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A), 1 x MicroSD Card Reader (312MB/s), 1 x HDMI 2.0b, 1 x RJ45 Port, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C), 3.5mm Audio Jack

  • Weight and Size: 19 lbs, 13.97 x 9.59 x 0.78 inches

  • RGB: 4-zone RGB N-Key rollover and ROG Overstroke technology.

#9. HP OMEN 15-EK0013DX 15.6″ Laptop

Key Specifications

  • CPU: 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-10750H (2.6GHz, 12MB 6 Cores, up to 5.00GHz)

  • GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060 Max-Q

  • RAM: 16 GB DDR4 SDRAM

  • Storage: 512 GB SSD and 32 GB Octane

  • Display: 6″ FHD display 1920 x 1080 300Hz FHD anti-glare

  • Output: 1 x Thunderbolt 3 ( Type-C), 1 x Mini DisplayPort, 3 x SuperSpeed Type-A, 1 RJ-45, 1 x HDMI 2.0a, S•D Multi-Format Card Reader.

  • Weight and Size: 4 lbs, 0.9” thin

  • RGB: 4 zone RGB keyboard

#8. Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop

Key Specifications

  • CPU: 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 5.0GHz)

  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 with Max-Q Design with 8 GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM

  • RAM: 16GB DDR4 2933MHz Dual-Channel Memory

  • Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD (2 x M.2 Slots | 1 Slot Open for Easy Upgrades) & 1 – Available Hard Drive Bay

  • Display: 3″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED-backlit IPS Display (144Hz Refresh Rate, 3ms Overdrive Response Time, 300nit Brightness & 72% NTSC)

  • Output: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x Mini DisplayPort, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C).

  • Weight and Size: 39 lbs, 15.89 x 11.02 x 0.97 inches

  • RGB: 4-Zone RGB Backlit Keyboard

#7. GIGABYTE AERO 15 OLED – 15.6 inch Laptop

Key Specifications

  • CPU: 1?0th Gen Intel Core i7-10870H (2.2GHz – 5.0GHz)

  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 6 GB GDDR6

  • RAM: 16 GB DDR4 SDRAM

  • Storage: 512 GB SSD

  • Display:6″ Thin Bezel UHD 3840×2160 Samsung AMOLED Display (VESA Display HDR 400 True Black, 100% DCI-P3)

  • Output: 3x USB 3.2 Gen1 (Type-A), 1x Thunderbolt™ 3 (Type-C), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x mini DP 1.4, 1 x 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack, 1x UHS-II SD Card Reader, 1x DC-in Jack, 1x RJ-45

  • Weight and Size: 4 lbs, 9.8 x 14 x 0.78 inches

  • RGB: GIGABYTE Fusion RGB Per-Key Backlit Keyboard

#6. LG Gram Laptop 17Inch IPS WQXGA

Key Specifications

  • CPU: 11th generation Intel core i7-1165G7 ( 4.7 GHz apple_ci7 )

  • GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 (96EU)

  • RAM: 16GB LPDDR4X 4266MHz RAM

  • Storage: 1TB NVMe™ SSD M.2 2280

  • Display: 17” WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS LCD Screen

  • Output: 2 x THunderbolt 4 (Type-C), 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A). 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x Micro SD/ UFS Card Reader.

  • Weight and Size: 98 lbs, 14.97 x 10.24 x 0.7 inches

  • RGB: No, Only Back-lit Keyboard

#5. Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop

Key Specifications

  • CPU: 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 5.0GHz)

  • GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6 VRAM

  • RAM: 16GB DDR4 2933MHz Dual-Channel Memory

  • Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD + available M.2 slot for easy SSD upgrades

  • Display: 6″ Full HD 144Hz, 100% sRGB, 4.9 mm bezel, factory calibrated

  • Output: 1 x Thunderbolt™ 3 (USB-C), 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A), 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x Gigabit Ethernet, 1 x HDMI 2.1 output (Up to 4K 120Hz)

  • Weight and Size: 6 lbs, 9.25 x 13.98 x 0.78 inches

  • RGB: Single-zone RGB Powered by Razer Chroma™ anti-ghosting keyboard

#4. Alienware m15 R4 15.6 inch Laptop

Key Specifications

  • CPU: 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10870H (8-Core, 16MB Cache, up to 5.0GHz Max Turbo Frequency)

  • GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6 VRAM

  • RAM: 16GB DDR4 2933MHz Memory

  • Storage: 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD

  • Display: 6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 300Hz 3ms 300-nits 100% sRGB color gamut

  • Output: 1 x MicroSD-Card Reader, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A), 1 x HDMI 2.1b with HDCP 2.2 Output, 1 x Mini DisplayPort 1.4 Output, 1 xThunderbolt™ 3 Port, 1 x Alienware Graphics Amplifier Port, 1 x Killer™ Networks E3100x Gigabit Ethernet NIC 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A with Powershare Technology

  • Weight and Size: 50 lbs, 10.86 x 14.19 x 0.78 inches

  • RGB: 4-zone RGB N-Key rollover and anti-ghosting technology.

#3. Dell Precision 3560 – 15.6 inch Laptop

Key Specifications

  • CPU: 11th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7 (12 MB Cache, 4 Core, 8 Threads, 2.80 GHz to 4.70 GHz, 17.5W)

  • GPU: NVIDIA® T500, 2 GB GDDR6

  • RAM: 16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz, dual-channel

  • Storage:2 2280, 512 GB, Gen 3 PCIe x4 NVMe, Class 40 SSD

  • Display: 15-inch, FHD 1920 x 1080, 60 Hz, anti-glare, touch, 45% NTSC, 250 nits, wide-viewing angle

  • Output: 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet port, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A port, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A port with PowerShare, 2 x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports with Power-in, 1 x HDMI 2.0 port, 1 x Universal audio port

  • Weight and Size: 5 lbs, 14.09 x 9.13 x 0,56 inches

  • RGB: No, Single point, backlit keyboard


#2. MSI GE76 Raider 10UG-232 17.3 inch Laptop

Key Specifications

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-10870H 2.2-5.0 GHz

  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX3070 8GB GDDR6

  • RAM: 32GB (16G*2) DDR4 3200MHz ; 2 Sockets, Max Memory 64GB

  • Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD

  • Display: 3″ FHD (1920×1080), 300Hz 3ms, IPS-Level | 1920×1080 16:9

  • Output: 1x RJ45, 1x SD (XC/HC), 1x (4K @ 60Hz) HDMI, 1x Mini-DisplayPort, 2x Type-A USB3.2 Gen1, 1x Type-A USB3.2 Gen2, 1x Type-C (USB3.2 Gen2 / DP), 1x Type-C USB3.2 Gen2x2

  • Weight and Size: 39 lbs, 1.08 x 15.63 x 10.57 inches

  • RGB: Per-Key RGB gaming keyboard by SteelSeries

#1. MSI GP66 Leopard 10UH-244 15.6″ Laptop

Key Specifications

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-10870H 2.2-5.0 GHz

  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX3080 Max-Q 8GB GDDR6

  • RAM: 32GB (16G*2) DDR4 3200MHz ; 2 Sockets, Max Memory 64GB

  • Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD

  • Display: 6″ Thin Bezel FHD, IPS-Level 240Hz 3.5ms close to 100%sRGB | 1920×1080 16:9

  • Output: 1x RJ45, 1x (4K @ 60Hz) HDMI, 3x Type-A USB3.2 Gen1, 1x Type-C (USB3.2 Gen2 / DP)

  • Weight and Size: 25 lbs, 0.92 x 14.09 x 10.51 inches

  • RGB: Per-Key RGB gaming keyboard by SteelSeries

 

Apple macOS


Apple MacBook Pro MGXA2LL/A - Check & Buy on Amazon

  • Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz.

  • 6 MB shared L3 cache.

  • 15.4-inch IPS Retina Display.

  • 2880-by-1800 resolution.

  • 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3L RAM.


Apple MacBook Air with Apple M1 Chip - Check & Buy on Amazon

  • Up to 16GB of super-fast unified memory.

  • 2560×1600-resolution Retina display.

  • Comes with True Tone technology.

  • Includes 8- core CPU on M1.

  • Face Detection Uses the Neural Engine.


74 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page