Selecting The Best Budget Laptop For Programming: Reviews & Tips

Programming is one of the hottest fields nowadays. If you are an IT student or simply curious about programming, you must be looking for a decent laptop that has the power for programming and still remains affordable. However, selecting a laptop is no way an easy task. All the specs and jargons can put anyone at a loss. Don’t worry, because in this article, we will help you pick the best budget laptop for programming.

This article will include our in-depth reviews of the most relevant and recommended laptops for programming, with prices under $1000 to fit into the category of budget.

Let’s get started!

Best Budget Laptop For Programming Comparison 2021

Lenovo Legion 5	Acer Aspire 5 Slim	HP 15-dy1036nr Laptop	ASUS VivoBook 15	HP Envy x360
Best budget laptop for advanced programming and heavy gaming	Best budget laptop for programming students	Best budget programming laptop from HP	Best budget programming laptop with fingerprint scanner	Best budget convertible laptop for programming

** Below, you will find our detailed reviews of the Best Budget Laptop For Programming, but you can also click these following links to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.

Top Best Budget Laptop For Programming Reviews 2021

Lenovo Legion 5

For programming jobs that require specific and advanced hardware, the Lenovo Legion 5 is a prime candidate. It has everything that a programmer dreams for: a comfortable and  keyboard, active cooling hardware, and a decent chunk of RAM.

The robust octa-core AMD Ryzen 7 4800H CPU will easily execute all processing needed for programming jobs, especially with the 7nm architecture that makes it more seamless. What’s more, the processor is blessed with SMT enhancement. This will execute multi-threaded programming functions smoothly. 

In terms of graphics-heavy jobs such as game design, the GTX 1660 Ti GPU is a trustful hardware to turn codes into graphics with ease. The 15.6-inch full HD display will also come in handy when you need to render the graphics.

Storage-wise, the Legion 5 boasts a large 16GB of RAM and memory space at 512GB SSD. To meet the needs of programming, the RAM processes data at 3200 Mhz. 

The operating system of Legion 5 is compatible with the most relevant programming applications such as UltraEdit and Visual Studio Code. The backlit, top-of-the market TrueStrike keyboard is also a nice touch to suit the productivity of fast-paced programmers.

One more thing to make it the best budget programming laptop: it has an up-to-date cooling technology to monitor its heat – Coldfront 2 technology. However, this efficient thermal control systems add a sizable chunk to the laptop,  so the laptop is quiet on the heavy side – at 5.51 pounds.

As a programmer, the essence of your job is using the laptop for an extended period of time, so long-lasting battery life will be a lifesaver in many cases. This laptop, despite the power-consuming hardware, has a buffed-up battery with the juice that lasts for 9 hours in case of moderate usage.  

Pros

• Strong octa-core processors
• Sizable RAM with high speed
• High-end graphic cards
• Effective cooling systems to avoid overheating
• High-quality keyboards

Cons

• Heavy weight, which reduces the portability of the laptop

Acer Aspire 5 Slim

Acer Aspire 5 is possibly an all-rounder and the best budget laptop for programming students. With this price point, you won’t find a laptop that handles everything resiliently and effectively as this one.

At first glance, the Acer Aspire 5 looks sleek and thin with modern and sharp designs. Don’t let the look fool you – the laptop is robust and has outstanding processing power thanks to the latest gadgets. Acer Aspire 5 comes with a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 quad-core processor.

In terms of memory power, it has a sizable 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD storage. If it is not enough for you, there is an extra RAM slot and disc reader so that you can easily upgrade it by installing more storage in the future.

The efficient Nvidia GeForce MX250 2GB DDR5 graphics card allows fast rendering for game development and programming applications. This makes it perfect for every activity, whether it is running against the clock to submit a deadline or gaming. What’s more, it has a long battery life that lasts up to 9 hours.

Regarding display, it has a 15.6-inch display with narrow bezels to provide a wide and convenient viewing experience for users. The quality of the display is full HD with Acer Color Intelligence technology, so the colors stay vibrant and true.

The keyboard is comfortable and cool-looking, with backlight. However, the backlit keyboard gives up early – it can get bad and lose light quickly from wear and tear. This depends on the user on how gently you type.

Pros

• 10th Gen Intel processor
• Strong graphic cards
• Long-lasting battery

Cons

• The backlit battery may not endure hard-hitting typing

HP 15-dy1036nr Laptop

HP 15-dy1036nr is the best budget laptop for programming from HP. It stands for everything that the company is proud of – durable, affordable, and dependable. It may not look fancy, but the robustness and functionality will satisfy any programmer that runs on a budget.

The processing power is strong from the 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 quad-core processor – and there is a version that comes with the latest 11th gen processor too. The decent size of 8GB RAM will withstand running many tasks at the same time.

When it comes to graphics, it has nothing specific or fancy, but the common Intel UHD graphics still does a satisfactory job for programming. However, this can be made up for with the 15.6-inch FHD display with an anti-glare coating.

One thing that it lacks is the backlit keyboard that us programmers favor when we have to work through the night. However, the keyboard is designed to be comfortable and also includes Numpad.

Pros

• Affordable and dependable
• Strong processor
• Decent RAM
• Anti-glare coating

Cons

• No backlit keyboard

ASUS VivoBook 15

ASUS VivoBook 15 is an excellent budget programming laptop that offers the most value for money. At this affordable price point, you wouldn’t expect the specs it has. The process is the most up-to-date 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 CPU. It has a decent chunk of RAM, at 8GB – enough for game playing and programming.

However, the storage is only 128GB SSD – some people may find this restricting. However, the functionality of SSD is faster than normal storage. Furthermore, you can always insert another higher SSD storage or buy some external hard disk drives – there are many affordable options in the market.

In terms of display, it has a 15.6-inch screen that showcases full HD images to protect your eyes. It also has a cool-looking backlit keyboard. There’s a futuristic fingerprint scanner for maximum security.

Overall, buying this option will be a bang for your buck. Low price points and the latest gadgets make ASUS VivoBook 15 an outstanding budget programming laptop.

Pros

• Value for money
• Backlit keyboard
• Adequate specs for the price

Cons

• Limited storage

HP Envy x360

This laptop belongs to the line Envy by HP, which includes the best budget programming convertible laptops.

As expected from the line, the x360 includes all standard features, durability, outstanding function in calculations, and affordability. This one is also unique as it can fold into a notebook, one of the best budget 2-in-1 convertible laptops out there. 

AMD has blessed it with the latest 4th-gen Ryzen U-series processors. These Ryzen processors pump up the computing power for CPU-demanding programming more than Intel processors in the same generations. This enhancement doesn’t make the laptop’s physical design bulkier, nor place a burden on the battery life.

The interface selection is fantastic for the most part, but we do miss a Thunderbolt 3 for USB. This would allow users to join external GPUs, for instance. The Legion just has one USB 3.2 C Gen 1 port that supports DisplayPort through USB C.

Pros

• Convertible, laptop-to-tablet
• Ryzen U-series processors can handle demanding jobs
• Sleek design
• Lightweight

Cons

• Possible audio issues

Apple MacBook Pro 13

For MaCOs users, we suggest Apple MacBook Pro 13 as it is the most compatible MacBook for programming.

In terms of power, the newest MacBook in 2020 packs a punch. It includes the latest 10th generation quad-core Intel processors, 512GB SSD, and 16GB RAM. With this much juice, it can smoothly run all programming activities: coding programs, emulators, compilers, etc. at the same time. 

The specs mentioned above can be updated up to an i7 processor, 32GB RAM, and a SSD storage of 512GB.  

With such strong hardware, it still showcases a sleek and light form with all-metal unibody cover. As expected from the MacBook line, it has high compactability and is easy to carry around, with a weight of 4lbs.

While fitting this into the category of budget laptops is a reach, the MacBook Pro 13 is the best from the Apple family for programming. If the majority of your devices are from Apple, consider also owning a MacBook. That way, you can benefit from the shared features – such as Airdrop and ICloud –  between these devices. 

Therefore, if you are used to MacOS and your job requires running programs on Apple platforms, consider choosing this MacBook.

Microsoft Surface Pro 6

Microsoft Surface Pro 6: Best budget 2-in-1 laptop for programming.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 has the laptop-to-tablet versatility as many laptops on the market, but it is one of the best out there. Even in the tablet form, it has the juice and power of a programming laptop: a quad-core 8th Generation Intel Core processor and large RAM. Therefore, you can code anywhere with the convenience and lightness of a tablet.

On top of that, it has a PixelSense display that shows true and vivid colors. The battery life is long for a tablet – up to 9 hours.

However, the type cover / its customized and only compatible keyboard is sold separately, so you have to pay a little extra for the luxury of typing.

Pros

• Extremely light and portable
• Can be turned into a tablet
• Vivid screen display
• Long battery life that lasts 9 hours

Cons

• The keyboard is sold separately

Dell Inspiron 14 5482

Inspiron 14 5482 from Dell is an excellent budget programming laptop. It excels in all requirements of a programming notebook: a full HD display for application test runs, generous RAM size, not to mention a robust and fast processor, not to mention a powerful graphic card. Even better, all excellent features are available within an affordable price point. 

 

In particular, the processor it includes is quad-core 8th Gen Intel Core – can be updated to i7 processor. It runs at 3.9Ghz, with Max Turbo Boost. The generous 8GB of RAM will allow smooth multitasking. 

The 256GB of SSD storage may be limited to some programmers, but you can always install more hard drives.

Weighing at 3.26 pounds, Inspiron 14 5482 is largely portable and lightweight. 

Pros

• Powerful processor and graphic card
• Decent RAM
• Portable

Cons

• Storage size may be restricting

Huawei Matebook 13

Huawei Matebook is arguably the best budget laptop for programming from Huawei – an innovative manufacturer. With high-end specs including strong processors – C Intel 8th Gen Core i5 8265U, and an above-average RAM at 8GB, the price of Huawei Matebook 13 is affordable compared to high-end laptops with similar features. Therefore, even if it’s not exactly a budget laptop, it’s still worth considering. 

What makes the Matebook 13 stand out is a special feature – the integrated Huawei Shark Fin Design 2.0 cooling solution. This controls the device’s temperature to prevent overheating from extended use. As programmers face the perils of overheating so frequently, this solution will come in handy. 

The sleek and ultra-slim design is also its plus point. With a weight of merely 2.86 pounds, you could carry it everywhere – best laptop for programmers on the go. Its Quick Charge pocket charger allows you to boost the battery on the fly without any electric source around.

Pros

• Fast loading speed
• Weight light => portability
• Affordable compared to laptops of the same range
• Patented coding solution to prevent overheating
• Portable charger

Cons

• No support for Thunderbolt 3
• Low battery life

Lenovo Flex 5

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 has a durable build quality that exceeds its price range.

The specs are rarely seen in a laptop in this price range: 256GB PCIe SSD and 16GB RAM. It also includes an active pencil for the touch screen and 2-in-1 convertible tablet. However, the display screen is not of the highest quality, and the processors may not be strong enough to carry out heavy programming verses.

Therefore, the Lenovo Flex 5 is the best budget programming laptop for entertainment and light coding.

Pros

• Convertible
• Digital pen included
• Lots of RAM

Cons

• Small screen
• Not suitable for demanding jobs

Dell XPS 13 7390

To gain market share in the mid-range line, Dell launched the XPS 13 7390, a decent and budget-friendly notebook.

The device is excellent and fast for everyday use thanks to its up-to-date processor Intel Core i5-10210U. This makes the turbo clock speed much faster. It has 8GB of RAM so the laptop can handle multitasking and long coding sessions. However, it uses LPDDR3 RAM, which can be quite slow when you run heavy games – for which you should swap it out for DDR4 Ram. The storage capacity is 256GB, which is quite generous but may not satisfy everyone’s need.

The display is rich and true with a 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution. The screen’s levels of light are also excellent – perfect for coders who function at night. What’s more, the display supports touchscreen to allow fast and convenient laptop use.

In terms of connectivity, it surpasses most budget laptops of the same price range because aside from the common ports, it also includes two Thunderbolt 3 ports.

For typing experience, it has a short 1.2mm key travel and convenient design that rests your palm nicely. The battery life is excellent for Dell – it lasts till 10 hours. It also has a fingerprint reader to maximize security. 

Pros

• Powerful performance
• Touchscreen display
• Long-lasting battery life
• Lightweight and portable
• Fingerprint scanner

Cons

• RAM type and storage size could be better

Lenovo ThinkPad T590

Lenovo’s ThinkPad line is known as the star of budget and mid-tier laptops from the brand. Out of the line, the model Thinkpad T590 is the most compatible and budget-friendly for programming.

The power of ThinkPad T590’S computing hardware is dependable, thanks to its model processor Whiskey Lake 8th Gen Intel. There are a wide range of options for sizes of RAM and storage that even go up to 32GB and 1TB PCIe SSD.

Its connectivity is adequate as it includes all necessary ports for everyday use, including USB 3.1 interfaces, SD card reader, HDMI, USB Type-C, etc. The most impressive is its long battery life that spans to 14 hours unplugged.

However, the laptop weighs quite heavy – 6 pounds. It will be a problem for programmers on the go.

Pros

• Dependable and sturdy
• Strong power
• Many options for memory size
• Long battery life

Cons

• Heavy

HP 15.6 inch

The HP 15T laptop has the lowest prices on this list – embracing the true meaning of a budget programming laptop. For this price, we cannot complain about its mix of benefits and unfortunate lackings. 

The laptop has a 2.5GHz AMD Dual-core A6-9220 APU processor, which produces a fairly good performance. Along with it is a 4GB RAM so you can carry out basic multitasking. It also has an adequate 500GB HDD internal storage – enough for personal use. The storage can read/write at the speed of 5400rpm.

The GPU – Dedicated AMD Radeon R4 graphics – has an above average quality, suitable for novice programmers as well as beginner gamers.

Most importantly HP 15.6 is a thin and slim laptop so it is the best budget programming laptop for people on the go. The lightweightness of it still suffices a large, 15.6 inch HD LED display. The HP 15.6 is equipped with almost all standard connectivity gates, except for a USB Type C port. 

However, the battery on the HP 15.6 only lasts up to 5 hours.

Pros

• Cheapest price
• Light, easy to carry around
• Slip-proof case
• Comfortable to type

Cons

• Short battery life
• Limited RAM
• No USB Type C port

Things to consider when finding the best budget laptop for programming

Before we head to the store, we should consider what a budget laptop for programming should have. You would want the budget laptop to have enough power to carry out the heavy tasks of programming, while still maintaining an affordable price. However, don’t be sidetracked with the price: a laptop for programming must have adequate computer hardware to handle the intensity of this work. Therefore, we will suggest specifications that you should look for in a budget programming laptop.

Can budget laptops handle programming?

As programming is quite demanding of a strong computing power, many people are skeptical of using cheap laptops for this job. For this market, the quality and power are quite consistent with the price – you will almost always get the value that you pay for. 

Expensive laptops will definitely offer you the strongest, most advanced and up-to-date specs. However, you will need it when you have to use resources-demanding programs, or join a large-scale project. For beginners and students, a budget to mid-tier laptop will do just fine. If you also want to play graphics-heavy games, or run many programs simultaneously, you may need an expensive laptop in the premium range. 

Processor

The processor, or CPU, is basically the brain of the laptop. It will process and make every decision, and send running signals to other parts of the laptop. Therefore, a processor will play an important role in carrying out the codes you write, so the laptop must have a decent one. At least, you should get anything better than a Celeron CPU. For programmers, Ryzen processors or equivalent quad-core processors are ideal.  

To be on the safe side, get a processor with i3 Core or higher. A good programming laptop usually employs a  i5 or i7 core processor. Most budget laptops use Intel processors because they are quite cost-effective, but many programmers have shown preference for AMD over Intel.

RAM

RAM is essential for a laptop’s function. Without RAM, none of the activities on the laptop will work. So what is “RAM”? It stands for “Random access memory”. When you run an application, it generates temporary memory that will disappear when shut down. The laptop needs a place to store this short-term memory, and that’s what RAM is for. 

At least 4GB RAM is necessary for everyday multitasking. For a programmer, 8GB to 16GB is an ideal range that will be sufficient for their needs.

Storage

To go with the decent chunk of RAM should be good storage. For programmers, avoid low-speed storage disks at 4200rpm and lower. If possible, search for a SSD disk. Depending on your needs, 128GB may be enough if you don’t store too many heavy files.

Display

Many people have asked: “do we need a widescreen laptop to code?” The programming job does not require much of a visual eye, so you don’t have to get a wide screen with true and vivid colors. Personally, 13-inch laptops will not hinder your job. 

However, considering that you have to stare at the screen for most of the days, consider getting anything that your eye is used to. If you prefer to look at crisp images with full HD displays and wide screens for that comfortable movie viewing or gaming experience, go for it.

Keyboard

A good keyboard is often underrated and overlooked when people look for a budget programming laptop. But as a programmer, typing is a main part of your job, so investing in a decent keyboard goes a long way. Many have found to prefer backlit keyboards as it helps them work better at night. Comfort design is also important too. However, as long as it is not of poor quality, most keyboards will work for you.

Does your typing speed affect your productivity in coding? Watch this helpful video to learn Touch Typing so you can improve your programming skills!

Our Final Verdict: 5 Best Budget Laptops For Programming

If you don’t have the time to read our list above, refer to this final wrap-up. You will probably find your favorite budget programming laptop here.

The laptops we have selected here will not break the bank, but still have outstanding specs and power to carry out the demanding jobs of programming. We understand that the process to choose a laptop is time-consuming and sometimes confusing, but necessary. Afterall, buying a laptop is an investment – a good one will stay with you for a long time. Therefore, take your time and think about what we have suggested here. We hope you can choose an excellent budget programming laptop that will be a trusting companion in your programming journey. 

1

Best budget laptop for advanced programming and heavy gaming

2

Best budget laptop for programming students

3

Best budget programming laptop from HP

4

Best budget programming laptop with fingerprint scanner

5

Best budget convertible laptop for programming

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