Five Budget Friendly Laptops for Programming

It is comparatively easier to shop for laptops dedicated to gaming or business purposes. However, it is not the same with laptops for programming. The analysis, design, algorithm generation, and implementation of executable computer programs require lots of resources.

For programming, you will need a computer with high processing power and RAM capacity. Good battery life is also necessary for programmers on the run. It may be difficult to find laptops that offer all these specs at an affordable price range, but there are some excellent budget-friendly laptops for programming.

Today, we will introduce you to five budget-friendly laptops for programming that will make any programmer’s life easier. Let’s pick a powerful programming machine! 

ASUS Vivobook 15

Specifications

• Display: 15.6” FHD
• Processor:  Intel Core i7-10th Generation Quad-core Processor
• Memory: 20GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Battery Backup: Up to 14 hours
• Weight: 3.97 lbs  

This 2-in-1 model of Asus Vivobook 15 is a powerful professional laptop that is perfect for programmers. It is almost unbelievable how such a high-end laptop is available for less than $800!

The laptop has a sleek and lightweight build, making it amazingly portable. The minimalistic design with a matte grey finish makes it look highly professional as well. Moreover, the Chiclet keyboard allows programmers to type comfortably yet accurately for a long time. However, the keyboard is not backlit, which is a bit disappointing.

The 15.6” full HD display boasts a resolution of 1920 x 1080. It’s fantastic color and clarity will let you fully enjoy all sorts of visual elements. Moreover, the LED backlight is energy-efficient, making it an eco-friendly device. With the HDMI output, you can make use of more viewing options.

The laptop has an Intel Core i7 10th generation processor, where the clock rate can be boosted upto 3.9 GHz. Therefore, you can rest assured that your machine will provide you with plenty of work speed. Moreover, it has an unusual memory capacity of 20 GB of RAM, which is more than enough for programming tasks.

With Vivobook 15’s 512 GB SSD, you will have enough storage space for all your necessary files. The laptop also has a long battery life of 14 hours, which is likely to support you longer than your typical work hours every day. It comes with Windows 10 Home operating system. 

Acer Aspire 5 

Specifications

• Display: 15.6” IPS FHD
• Processor:  AMD Ryzen 5 5500U 6-Core 
• Memory: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Battery Backup: Up to 12 hours
• Weight: 3.88 lbs

Acer Aspire 5 is another fantastic laptop, available at a very affordable price range. Based on the specs, you can get it for $580 to $780. The version we will introduce to you today is the one with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD, which will fulfill almost every programmer’s need.

The laptop offers fantastic performance compared to its price. Its powerful AMD Ryzen 5 processor is ready to take on any heavy task you throw at it. The dual-band WiFi 6 connection will enhance your work experience with fast internet. For how long, though? Well, you can expect 12 hours of battery life after each charging session.

The 256 GB storage space is sufficient for most programmers. Since it is PCIe NVMe SSD storage, the laptop boots up in seconds. It comes with 8 GB of high-bandwidth RAM, which is more than enough for programming tasks. However, if you need to, you can upgrade the RAM capacity.

The laptop’s 15.6” Full HD display has a resolution of 1920 x 1080. Its ComfyView Anti-glare technology allows you to work comfortably for hours. In addition, its ultrathin construction and long battery life will support busy programmers wherever they are. 

Microsoft Surface Pro 7

Specifications

• Display: 12.3″ Touch-Screen
• Processor:  Intel Core i5-10th Generation 
• Memory: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Battery Backup: Upto 10.5 hours
• Weight: ‎1.7 lbs

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 will be appreciated by programmers who want a multi-purpose device with both touch and type options. And at a price of just under $650, this laptop is offering much more than versatility.

You can use this device as a laptop or a tablet. It will bring fluidity to your programming tasks as you will be able to type, touch, write, draw, and work all at once! Choose either the titanium or matte black colour, it’s simple and sleek look will surely compliment your professional appearance.

Its 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor makes sure the notebook is powerful enough to handle all programmers’ needs. It comes loaded with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD, allowing you to work efficiently and offering you ample space to store your files. Moreover, with the integrated Intel Iris Plus GPU, you can take a break with some mind-blowing games!

The 12.3” touchscreen has PixelSense Display and 10-point multitouch. You will also get a front and rear camera able to record 1080p videos. After a charging session, the device will support you for upto 10.5 hours. Moreover, it has both USB-C and USB-A ports, which allow you to connect a broad range of accessories, such as docking stations and displays. However, it does not come with a keyboard.

HP Envy X360 

Specifications

• Display: 15.6” FHD
• Processor:  AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Processor
• Memory: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Battery Backup: Up to 13 hours
• Weight: 4.41 lbs

The HP Envy X360 is popular among professional programmers because of its versatility and amazing battery capacity. Just like Microsoft Surface Pro 7, you can touch and type on it. But unlike Surface Pro 7, you will get a full laptop with a keyboard and mouse trackpad.

The 15.6” Full HD IPS screen has Anti-glare technology so that you can comfortably work on it wherever you are. The powerful AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Hexa-Core processor can reach a clock speed of upto 4.0GHz, allowing you to work on even the heaviest programming tasks. Moreover, it also has integrated AMD Radeon Graphics.

To work on multiple applications and browser tabs without a hitch, you will get 8 GB of high-bandwidth RAM. Moreover, the 256 GB SSD storage allows for massive file storage, fast boot-ups, and quick data transfer, which makes a programmer’s work experience much better.

The laptop also has three USB 3.1 ports, one of which is Type-C. There is also an HDMI port, audio jack, and SD Media Card Reader. Therefore, you can rest assured that you can connect this laptop to any additional device and transfer files quickly.

In addition, you can attend any online meeting with the HP Wide Vision HD Camera and its Dual Array Digital Microphone. Furthermore, the laptop features a fingerprint reader for security and a backlit keyboard for working in low-light environments. 

Lenovo Flex 5 

Specifications

• Display: 14” FHD
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U  
• Memory: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Battery Backup: Up to 10 hours
• Weight: 3.63 lbs

Lenovo Flex 5 is another 2-in-1 device, enabling both touch and type options. However, this one is packed with impressive specs and at a price of under $600!

The laptop is designed to make busy programmers’ lives easier. It is only 0.82” thick and weighs 3.64 pounds, making it ultra-light to carry around. Moreover, it has an ergonomic design and smooth exterior, making it comfortable to touch. The laptop comes with a digital pen.

The 14-inch Full HD screen has 10-point multi-touch enabled. With its 4-side narrow bezels, it is also comfortable to look at when working for long hours. In addition, the laptop can be folded and stretched any way you like, thanks to its 360° hinge. Therefore, even with the keyboard, you can use it as a tablet as well.

The laptop is powered by AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor, which is, as we already established, a powerful component that can process any programming task. Moreover, the laptop features 16 GB RAM. Hence, there is no doubt it will be able to run all the applications you may ever need for programming. The 256 GB SSD storage can easily store all your files and allows you to access them quickly. Whether you use it for gaming, programming, or content creation, it will keep you productive for up to 10 hours with a single charging session. And you can juice it up fast, with 80% charging in just an hour.

Budget-Friendly Laptops for Programming: Which One Should You Pick?

Now the decision is yours. Based on your budget, you can pick any of these powerful laptops for programming and boosting your productivity. The 2-in-1 laptops offer you amazing versatility, and the conventional ones let you work traditionally if that is what you prefer. With the high processing power of the laptops we listed, you will not have to worry about experiencing obstacles while working. We suggest checking them all out and evaluating their specs to pick the best budget-friendly laptop for your programming tasks.