Find the best laptop for developers in 2026
A good laptop for software development would feature several important characteristics:
- RAM - at least 16GB for demanding IDEs, containers and virtual machines
- Powerful CPU - compiling large projects require lots of resources
- High-quality screen and keyboard
Best Laptops under £400 for programming and development
Lenovo Yoga Tab Series Yoga Tab
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Acer Aspire Go 15 AI Ready Laptop | 15.6"
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 15.6-inch FHD IPS display and 1.73kg weight make it a solid, portable option for everyday entertainment. The inclusion of WiFi 6 and an 8-core Intel Core 3 processor provides reliable connectivity and multitasking for basic tasks. This laptop is best for students or home users who prioritize a large screen for streaming and web browsing over high-performance computing or gaming.
ASUS Vivobook Go 14" Star Black
Why we recommend this ▼
Its lightweight 1.3kg chassis and 12-hour battery life make it a highly portable option for basic tasks, powered by an Intel Celeron N4500 processor. The inclusion of Microsoft Copilot provides AI assistance for productivity, differentiating it within the budget segment. This laptop is best for students or commuters who need a simple, portable machine for web browsing, document editing, and note-taking.
Intel DGBook OTVOC Laptop Computer 15.6 inch
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 15.6-inch IPS display offers a large viewing area for media, though it's powered by a modest 2-core Apple Core m3-8100Y processor and integrated Intel UHD Graphics. The 4GB of DDR3 RAM and 128GB SSD provide basic functionality, but its 2.17kg weight makes it less portable than other options. This laptop is best for users needing a simple, large-screen device for basic web browsing and video streaming, not for any demanding tasks.
ASUS 15" 2025 Lightweight
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout 15-inch FHD OLED display offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, paired with a lightweight 2.14kg chassis. The inclusion of a backlit keyboard and comprehensive port selection, including USB-C and HDMI, enhances its practicality for on-the-go use. This laptop is best for students or business users who prioritize a high-quality screen for media consumption and everyday productivity tasks over demanding performance.
Crucial Micron
Why we recommend this ▼
Its DDR5 technology offers a 50% data transfer speed increase over DDR4, with on-die ECC for stability and a low 1.1V operating voltage for improved power efficiency. The kit provides more responsive multitasking and faster load times due to its dual independent 32-bit channels per module. This memory is best for users building or upgrading a productivity-focused desktop PC who prioritize system responsiveness and stability over gaming performance.
ASUS TUF Gaming M3 Gen II ultralight 59-gram wired gaming mouse
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout 59-gram ultralight design and IP56 dust/water resistance make it exceptionally durable for its weight class. The 8000 DPI optical sensor and PTFE feet provide precise, smooth tracking for fast-paced gameplay. This mouse is best for right-handed gamers who prioritize a lightweight, resilient tool for long FPS or MOBA sessions.
ASUS ROG Strix Impact III Gaming Mouse
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 12,000 DPI optical sensor with a class-leading 1% deviation and near-zero click latency from a unique mechanical button-tension system deliver exceptional precision. The 59-gram ultralight design, ROG Paracord, and 100% PTFE feet ensure smooth, fatigue-free movement during long sessions. This mouse is best for competitive FPS gamers who prioritize sensor accuracy and customizable, swappable mechanical switches for a personalized feel.
Samsung Chromebook 14" Galaxy Chromebook Go
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 12-hour battery life and military-grade durability make it a resilient and portable device for daily use. The Chromebook's deep integration with Android phones facilitates seamless file transfers and cross-device control. This laptop is best for students and mobile professionals who prioritize ruggedness and ecosystem connectivity over high-performance computing.
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless Gaming Mouse- Ultra Lightweight
Adesso iMouse S50L 2.4GHz Wireless Mini Mouse Optical Wireless Radio Frequency
Why we recommend this ▼
Its compact, symmetrical design and 2.4GHz wireless connection make it a highly portable and reliable peripheral for basic tasks. The 1200 DPI optical sensor provides adequate precision for everyday office navigation. This mouse is best for students or business travelers who need a simple, no-fuss device for their laptop bag.
Best Laptops under £800 for programming and development
ASUS ZenBook 14" A14
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Acer Aspire 14" 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 47-core Intel 256V processor and 16GB of Intel Arc graphics VRAM provide substantial AI acceleration for on-device tasks. The 1.4kg weight and 65Wh battery make it a highly portable option for everyday computing. This laptop is best for students or office workers who need a lightweight, AI-capable machine for productivity and media consumption, not for gaming.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.6" Full HD Arctic Grey 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 8-core AMD 5825U processor and 16GB of RAM provide strong multitasking performance for a budget laptop, while the 15.6-inch IPS touchscreen adds versatility. The inclusion of a backlit keyboard and a full selection of ports, including three USB-A, enhances its practicality for daily use. This device is best for students or home office users who need a responsive, well-equipped laptop for productivity tasks and media consumption.
MSI Cyborg 15 15.6'' 144 2023
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 144Hz IPS display and GeForce RTX 2050 GPU provide smooth visuals for casual gaming and media consumption. The 1.98kg chassis offers reasonable portability for a 15.6-inch laptop with discrete graphics. This model is best for students or casual users seeking an affordable, general-purpose laptop for everyday tasks and light entertainment.
Acer Swift Go 14 Laptop | 14" 1920 x 1200 Touch Display | Unlock AI Experiences | 2024
Why we recommend this ▼
Its AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS processor with dedicated Ryzen AI hardware provides strong performance for AI-assisted tasks in a 1.25kg chassis. The 14-inch 1200p touchscreen offers vivid color and a portable 16:10 aspect ratio, enhancing productivity. This laptop is best for students and professionals who need a responsive, AI-capable system for research, content creation, and everyday multitasking.
ASUS Vivobook 14" Quiet Blue 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 10-core Intel Core 5 120U processor and inclusion of Microsoft Copilot provide a capable foundation for AI-assisted productivity tasks. The laptop offers a practical port selection with four USB-A connections and maintains a portable 1.4kg profile. This device is best for students or office workers who prioritize basic multitasking and AI-powered application support over high-performance graphics.
Lenovo V15 15.6" V15 G4
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 13th Gen Intel 13420H processor and 16GB of RAM provide capable performance for everyday multitasking, supported by a practical 15.6-inch FHD anti-glare display. The inclusion of Windows 11 Pro, Ethernet, and WiFi 6 connectivity makes it a well-equipped and durable choice for a professional or academic environment. This laptop is best for students and business users who need a reliable, no-frills machine for productivity tasks and video calls.
Lenovo Yoga Tab Series Yoga Tab Plus
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is the 12.7-inch 3K display with a sharp 144Hz refresh rate and 900 nits of brightness, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. It further differentiates itself with premium Harmon Kardon audio and a versatile, portable design that enhances media consumption. This tablet is best for students and mobile professionals who prioritize a high-quality screen and excellent speakers for note-taking, streaming, and presentations over intensive gaming.
Intel 16" NY-08 2026
Why we recommend this ▼
Its AMD 1200 1-core CPU and integrated Intel UHD Graphics are fundamentally mismatched for its "gaming" branding, resulting in a very poor 16/100 gaming score. The 16-inch IPS display and 16GB of RAM make it a basic machine for general tasks, supported by a backlit keyboard. This laptop is best for students needing a large-screen device strictly for web browsing, document editing, and light media consumption.
Dell Inspiron 14" 15 Laptop 15.6 inch
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 15.6-inch FHD touchscreen and integrated AMD graphics with 48GB VRAM provide solid versatility for basic creative tasks and media consumption. The inclusion of WiFi 6 and a 512GB SSD offers good connectivity and responsiveness for everyday productivity. This laptop is best for students or home users who prioritize a functional touchscreen and reliable performance for web browsing, document editing, and streaming.
MALLRACE 15.6"
Why we recommend this ▼
Its AMD Radeon Vega 10 discrete graphics and 16GB of RAM provide solid entry-level gaming performance for its price point. The 15.6-inch IPS display and WiFi 6 connectivity offer a reliable visual and networking foundation for its class. This laptop is best for budget-conscious gamers playing less demanding titles or students needing a versatile machine for light gaming and multitasking.
Best Laptops under £1,500 for programming and development
Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 14" 2K Seashell 2025
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
MSI Summit 16" A16 AI+ 16.0"
Why we recommend this ▼
Its AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor and integrated Radeon 880M graphics provide strong AI acceleration and general performance in a convertible 2kg chassis. The 16-inch 165Hz touchscreen display offers a smooth, interactive experience for productivity and media consumption. This Copilot+ PC is best for developers and professionals seeking a portable, AI-optimized Windows machine for coding and multitasking, not for demanding gaming.
ASUS TUF F16 16" 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 16-core Intel 14650HX processor and RTX 5050 graphics provide strong performance for gaming and content creation. The 165Hz display and 90Wh battery offer a smooth, long-lasting experience for its price point. This laptop is best for gamers and creators who prioritize raw processing power and a high refresh rate over extreme portability.
Acer Swift 14.5" X 14
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 14.5-inch 2880x1800 OLED display and dedicated GPU deliver vibrant visuals for media consumption, supported by a 76Wh battery for extended use. The 1.5kg magnesium-aluminum chassis offers a premium, portable build that feels more expensive than it is. This laptop is best for students and professionals who prioritize a stunning screen for streaming and everyday tasks, but not for demanding gaming or creative work.
Lenovo ThinkPad 16" E16 Gen 3
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 16-inch touchscreen and 12-core Intel Core Ultra 5 processor provide capable performance for daily multitasking. The inclusion of a spill-resistant, backlit keyboard and a numeric keypad enhances its practicality for office work. This laptop is best for business professionals and students who prioritize a large, interactive display and durable build for productivity tasks.
Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 8 14.0" Touch Screen Arctic Grey
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 10-core Intel Core 7 240H processor and 16GB DDR5 RAM deliver strong multitasking performance for a 1.36kg business laptop. The 14-inch touchscreen and Thunderbolt connectivity add practical versatility for on-the-go productivity. This is best for business professionals who need a portable, responsive Windows 11 Pro machine for presentations and office tasks.
MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo A1MG-029US 13.3"
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor paired with a 13.3" QHD+ OLED touchscreen, delivering strong performance and vibrant visuals for creative work in a sub-1kg chassis. The combination of a 1TB SSD and WiFi 7 connectivity ensures fast local storage and future-proof wireless speeds for mobile professionals. This laptop is best for business travelers and content creators who prioritize a premium, ultra-portable design for productivity and media consumption over gaming capabilities.
MSI Thin 15.6 inch 144Hz 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 64GB of RAM and 4TB SSD provide exceptional capacity for storing large game libraries and running demanding creative software simultaneously. The combination of an RTX 4060 GPU and a 144Hz IPS display delivers smooth, high-fidelity visuals ideal for competitive gaming. This laptop is best for gamers and content creators who prioritize maximum storage and multitasking headroom over extreme portability.
Lenovo V 15.6" Series
Why we recommend this ▼
Its AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme discrete GPU and 40GB of RAM provide uncommon graphics power and multitasking headroom for a business laptop. The Windows 11 Pro OS and WiFi 6 connectivity make it a practical, modern work machine. This is best for students or professionals who need a versatile laptop for both demanding coursework and entry-level gaming sessions.
ASUS Vivobook 18" Quiet Blue
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 18-inch 144Hz display and 32GB of DDR5 RAM provide a spacious, smooth workspace for multitasking creators. The combination of a high-core-count AMD Ryzen CPU and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD offers strong performance for the price. This laptop is best for content creators and developers who need a large screen for multi-window workflows and can sacrifice portability.
LG gram 14" gram
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is the Intel Core Ultra 5 processor enabling on-device AI tasks within a remarkably durable, 1.12kg chassis that meets military-grade durability standards. This is paired with exceptional portability from its 72Wh battery, making it ideal for full-day use away from an outlet. It's best for students and mobile professionals who prioritize a featherweight, resilient laptop for productivity and AI-assisted workflows over gaming performance.
Gigabyte Aero 16" X16; 165Hz
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is the 16-inch 165Hz IPS display with 100% sRGB coverage, paired with discrete NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 graphics for smooth visuals. The inclusion of a touchscreen and Copilot+ AI features adds a layer of versatility beyond typical gaming laptops. This machine is best for gamers and content creators who prioritize a high-refresh, color-accurate screen and want AI-assisted productivity tools in a portable form factor.
Alienware Aurora 16 Gaming Laptop AC16250-16"
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 10-core Intel 240H CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 GPU deliver strong performance for gaming at its 120Hz QHD display. The 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD provide a responsive foundation for modern titles and multitasking. This laptop is best for gamers who prioritize raw performance and high refresh rates over extreme portability, given its 2.49kg weight.