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Do you want to know the best laptop for software developers, or are you a developer looking for a good laptop to enhance your software development? If you are, check out these top-rated laptops we have explicitly evaluated for this purpose. Undoubtedly, the laptops featured in this review are the best for software developers.
However, we have shortlisted seven laptops that can help you promote your developing skills. The ✅Lenovo Legion 5 15″ Gaming Laptop is our best pick among these seven laptops.
A quick one below is the comparison table of the seven laptops with their specifications.
Comparison Table For The Best Laptops For Software Developers
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| Product Name | Product Image | Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Legion 5 15" Gaming Laptop |   | Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 4800H Display: 15.6-Inch RAM: 16 GB Storage: 512 GB SSD Operating System: Windows 10 Home |
| Acer Predator Triton 500 Thin & Light Gaming Laptop |   | Processor: Intel Core i7 9750H Display: 15.6-Inch RAM: 16 GB DDR4 Storage: 512 GB SSD Operating System: Windows 10 Home |
| Acer PH315-52-78VL Gaming Laptop |   | Processor: Intel Core i7 9750H Display: 15.6-Inch RAM: 16 GB DDR4 Storage: 256 GB SSD Operating System: Windows 10 Home |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 |   | Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Display: 14-Inch RAM: 16 GB DDR4 Storage: 512 GB SSD Operating System: Windows 11 Home |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 |   | Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Display: 15.6-Inch RAM: 16 GB DDR4 Storage: 512 GB SSD Operating System: Windows 10 Home |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop |   | Processor: Intel Core i5 Display: 13.5-Inch RAM: 16 GB LPDDR4 Storage: 128 GB SSD Operating System: Windows 10 Home |
| Acer SF314-42-R9YN Slim Laptop |   | Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Display: 15.6-Inch RAM: 8 GB LPDDR4 Storage: 512 GB SSD Operating System: Windows 10 Home |
Required Specs For The Best Laptop For Software Developers
Laptops for software developers are not different from other laptops.
To carry out software development effectively, you should get a laptop with the high-end specification.
Therefore, you must watch a laptop with a powerful processor, ample RAM, and a strong graphics card.
Plus, enormous storage, the latest Operating System, and good battery life for excellent performance.
Let’s discuss these features in detail.
Processor/Graphics
Your laptop should have a high-end processor for the speedy computation of all projects, multiple applications, and software.
Most importantly, do not compromise on your laptop’s processor if you want to work efficiently.
At a minimum, most laptops for developers come with an i5 processor with quad-core, which is fair enough to handle the pressure surrounding these tasks.
You can also stretch further to get something higher like core i7 and above to enjoy a snappy and seamless performance.
For more details, you can opt for Intel Core i5/i7, AMD Ryzen 5/7, and Apple M1 chips for effective delivery.
At the same time, you need a strong graphics card to handle all the graphics demands that come with software development.
We suggest you consider a laptop with a dedicated graphics card for effortless performance and effective delivery.
Some laptops with an integrated graphics card can handle lighter workload but depend on the internal memory to deliver.
Hence, you must define your needs and budget so that you wouldn’t get the wrong laptop for the proper purpose.
RAM/Storage
Moving further, the amount of RAM in your laptop is essential for software development, especially when working on a larger project or running multiple programs simultaneously.
In that regard, we suggest you get at least 8 GB RAM to enjoy a hitch-free multitasking and pleasurable working experience.
Although, 16 GB and above is ideal for high intensive tasks, especially work on power-hungry applications and software.
Likewise, you need a decent SSD storage option to improve your workflow.
Everything surrounding your laptop, from its boot-up to your software development, will be faster when using an SSD.
As such, we suggest a minimum of 256 GB SSD so you can save as plenty files as possible.
Display/Resolution
Although some persons may not consider the display when searching for a laptop, its importance cannot be overlooked, especially when working on multiple windows.
As such, we suggest you buy a laptop with at least 13-15-inches to enjoy a wide and better angle view.
On the same note, your laptop should have at least an FHD resolution, an IPS panel, and other features to enjoy a good amount of real estate, crisp images, and easy-to-read texts.
Ports/Connectivity
For software development, you need different port sections where you can connect your laptop to work effectively.
For instance, the USB ports can serve both audio and video purposes.
The HDMI will let you connect video and audio interfaces, so it is highly important.
Other connectivity ports you will need to consider include; Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Headphone/Microphone combo, Micro SD card reader, and others.
Operating System/Battery Life
As the case may be, we suggest you consider getting a laptop that supports Windows, Mac, and Chrome/Linux Operating systems to enjoy all-around compatibility.
Finally, you need to pay close attention to the battery life of any laptop that catches your eye.
Sometimes, the manufacturer’s claims do not apply to the battery life, so you need to pay attention to reputable reviews for accurate information about the battery life.
That said, we advise you get a laptop that lasts not less than 5 hours to enjoy an extended stay at work.
7 Best Laptops For Software Developers
1. Lenovo Legion 5 15″ Gaming Laptop
The Lenovo Legion 5 comes with quality features that make it rank the first and the overall best laptop for software developers.
These features are adequate for both gaming and software development.
Let’s see these features for ourselves.
Design Features
The laptop weighs 5.41 pounds and measures 14.29 x 10.22 x 0.98 inches.
On looks, it is constructed with a durable metal plate decorated in Phantom Black.
With its material build, the laptop can withstand the tossing around that comes with gaming and other activities that follow suit.
On opening the lid, there’s a vent-less interior with the screen bezels close to a quarter of an inch along the top.
The port area is excellent as the left, and right sides hold a single USB Type-A and a 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone combo jack.
The ample backside comes with a USB Type-A, USB Type-C, HDMI-out port, power switch, lock slot, and an Ethernet connector.
On display, the Legion 5 sports a 15.6-inch screen size with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Additionally, it has an IPS panel, 144Hz refresh rate, and a 100% sRGB display.
With such a display, you’ll have great viewing angles with rich color reproduction.
Performance
Performance-wise, the Legion 5 will seamlessly handle all your software development functions with AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor.
Also, it comes dedicated with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti GPU capable of running high-intensive tasks like gaming and other functions in its category.
It comes with 16GB 3200MHz DDR4 memory which is enough to execute all multifunctional activities on software development.
Finally, it has ample storage of 5123 GB SSD storage space to save all official and personal files with speed.
Pros
- TrueStrike keyboard.
- 144 Hz refresh rate.
- AMD Ryzen 7 4800H CPU.
Cons
- No No Optical Drive for DVD usage.
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2. Acer Predator Triton 500 Thin & Light Gaming Laptop
Here’s another impressive laptop recommended for software developers.
It is also a gaming laptop that can offer a pleasant working experience, all thanks to the laptop’s incredible specifications.
Design Features
The Acer Predator Triton 500 is a high-end gaming laptop with a 15.6-inch display with a high refresh rate of 144Hz.
Plus, IPS features offer smoothness and a wide-angle view.
Additionally, the display comes fully packaged with a Full HD resolution of 1902 x 1080 pixels.
This provides good images with a decent amount of space on display for the user interface.
Sadly, the laptop doesn’t support a touchscreen, but there’s nothing to worry about since it comes with a responsive touchpad that can let you perform all navigations without stress.
For connectivity, the Acer Predator Triton 500 offers an Ethernet LAN port, 1 Thunderbolt 3, Full USB 3.1 Type-C, 3 USB 3.1 Gen 1, 1 HDMI 2.0 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connector, and many others.
Impressively, you can confidently hold your meetings from anywhere you are, thanks to its HD 720p webcam placed at the top of the display.
Also, it provides enough room to do and seems more with a standard display screen of 15.6-inch and a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Performance
Furthermore, the laptop programs your software development work using the 9th Generation Intel Core i7 9750H 6 Core Processor, which speeds up to 4.5 GHz.
Likewise, it features NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Graphics with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM.
It has a 512 GB Flash Memory Solid State for its hard drive and a 16GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory.
Moving on, it weighs 4.41 pounds and measures 14.11 x 10.04 x 0.7 inches.
The operating system at work on Acer Predator Triton 500 is Windows 10 Home.
Finally, the battery can last up to 8 hours on a single charge.
Pros
- Front-facing webcam.
- Ethernet LAN port.
- Thunderbolt 3 port.
Cons
- It doesn’t support a touchscreen.
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3. Acer PH315-52-78VL Gaming Laptop
If you need an affordable gaming laptop that never disappoints, here’s another chance to grab your copy.
Design Features
In terms of look, the Acer PH315-52-78V sports a black design with blue shining all around the body.
It comes equipped with a plastic surface inscribed with a predator logo and two metallic vertical lines that aren’t illuminated.
Moreover, if you’ll be toting around the laptop anywhere you go, your shoulders won’t find it easy.
This is because it weighs 5.07 pounds and measures 14.23 x 10.01 x 0.9 inches.
The Acer PH315-52-78V has numerous ports for easy connectivity and flexibility.
As such, it features Ethernet LAN, 1 USB 3.1 Type C Gen 2 port, 3 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Ports, 1 HDMI 2.0 Port with HDCP Support, and 1 Mini Display Port 1.4
There’s a backlit keyboard and an IPS screen with a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
It also has a144Hz Refresh Rate, 3ms Overdrive Response Time, 300nit Brightness, and 72 percent NTSC.
Performance
The Acer PH315-52-78V offers a powerful CPU from the 9th Generation Intel Core i7 9750H, which has 6 Core and delivers Up to a 4.5GHz boost clock.
On the other hand, the graphics are by NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Graphics with 6GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM.
Even more, the RAM is packed with 16GB DDR4 2666MHz and 256 GB SSD for the hard drive.
Lastly, the battery lasts up to 6 hours under an intensive workload.
Pros
- It has a good refresh rate.
- The display offers high contrast.
- Average battery life.
Cons
- Not enough storage space.
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4. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5
Design Features
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is probably the cheapest laptop on the list.
More so, it functions well with Windows 11 Operating System.
And it allows you to work with various software and applications.
It combines different modes so you can use it as a laptop for everyday computing, stand mode for streaming, tent mode for sharing, and tablet mode for easy interaction.
That’s not all.
It comes with a physical shutter on the webcam to improve your privacy, allowing you to avoid unwanted attention.
Also, you can see all your creations clearly as it offers visuals for the display screen at Full HD resolution.
And the screen is fitted in a narrow on the 4 sides for more viewing angle.
Performance
It is powered by AMD Ryzen 5 5500U mobile processor with Radeon graphics.
With this, the laptop will offer you optimum development performance without lagging.
Luckily, it also comes with a whopping RAM of 16 GB DDR4 that can allow you to work on multiple tasks simultaneously.
In addition, it bags 256 GB SSD storage for the hard drive.
Pros
- Attractive aesthetics.
- All-round features.
- Multi-mode.
Cons
- No external drive.
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5. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5
Here’s another Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 on the list of the best laptops for software developers.
We aim to offer you the best.
Design Features
Like the previous Lenovo, it works with the Windows Operating System with multi-mode features that let you use the device in any mode of your choice.
Also, it supports a touchscreen for smooth and seamless navigation.
The chassis is painted in Graphite Grey, giving it a pleasant and attractive look.
Furthermore, it provides impressive visual quality for software development in an FHD 15.5-inch wide-angle display.
Overall, it weighs light at 3.3 pounds and measures 8.56 x 12.65 x 0.82 inches.
Performance
It features an AMD Ryzen 7 4700U processor with 8MB L3 cache memory and a clock speed of 4.1 GHz.
Meanwhile, it is powered by AMD Radeon Graphics, 16GB DDR4 3200 Memory, and 512 GB SSD storage capacity.
Overall, these features will allow you to develop your software and run other kinds of programming efficiently.
Pros
- It supports multi-touch.
- Large 16 GB RAM size.
- It comes equipped with a good storage option/space.
Cons
- The AMD graphics are integrated.
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6. Microsoft Surface Laptop Laptop
Design Features
There’s nothing as good as having a laptop with a swipe-design laptop with workable features.
It is thin and light, weighing 2.79 pounds and measuring 13.5 x 2 x 10 inches.
An added advantage is a long-lasting battery life lasting up to 11.5 hours.
With this, you’ll have enough time to complete your developing functions without interruption.
At the same time, the laptop comes in multiple colors to allow you to choose your favorite color.
Performance
Performance-wise, it perfects all functions with Intel Core i5 processor and Intel Iris Plus graphics.
There’s room for flexibility as it comes with 8 GB LPDDR4 RAM and 128 GB SSD for the hard drive.
Overall, you’ll have a pleasant working experience working on this system.
Pros
- It is affordable.
- Elegant keyboard.
- Audible speakers.
Cons
- The storage space isn’t enough.
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7. Acer SF314-42-R9YN Slim Laptop
Design Features
Luckily we have the Acer SF314-42-R9YN on the list of best laptops for software developers.
If you have any other reason for buying a laptop apart from software development, then Acer SF314-42-R9YN fits in.
It has a 14″ Full HD Widescreen IPS LED-backlit and 1920 x 1080 pixels display.
That’s not all.
It comes with 1 USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Gen 1, 1 USB 2.0, and 1 HDMI port.
Performance
Furthermore, it has AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Octa-Core Mobile Processor that runs up to 4.1 GHz clock speed.
In addition, it comes equipped with AMD Radeon Graphics to handle any graphics-demanding tasks required.
There’s 8 GB LPDDR4 RAM and 512 GB SSD for quick multitasking and snappy storage performance.
Pros
- Soft keyboard with backlit.
- Multi-functional USB-C.
- Super-fast Wi-Fi 6 connector.
Cons
- The battery life is not encouraging.
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Conclusion On The Best Laptop For Software Developers
The best laptop for software developers comes with a powerful processor, large RAM, strong graphics card, enormous storage, the latest Operating System, and good battery life to give you the best working experience.
So, we have shortlisted the 7 best out of many; which of them are you willing to buy?
The ✅Lenovo Legion 5 15″ Gaming Laptop is a great choice for power-hungry tasks and delivers excellent performance.
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