Budget laptop for programming Philippines

If you are just starting off with programming as a student or you are a software engineer for a well-established firm or you are an entrepreneur building something revolutionary by coding, a laptop is what you need to program all your ideas into reality. Buying the best laptop for programming is not an easy task. You have to check a lot of different things based on what programming language you use and what type of programming you do. So, what are those essential things to check on a programmers laptop? And, what are the best laptops available to buy for programming or coding in the market?

Heres the one-stop-shop guide, to answer all your questions and help you to buy the best laptop for programming for yourself.

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However, before we proceed with the list of our top picks of laptops for developers, lets go through the

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Important Things You Should Know Before Buying a Laptop For Programming


Programming is a broad niche, and there are many programming languages you can use to code. So, a programmers laptop should be adequately specced to run all programming language compilers, interpreters, local servers, code editors, etc. efficiently. But, what should be an ideal configuration of a laptop that will be used specifically for programming? or what are the essential things that all programmers should know before they buy the laptop for themselves?

Well, here they are

What is the best Operating System for developers?

Budget laptop for programming Philippines
Source Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2019

When it comes tocoding and development, Microsoft Windows and ApplemacOS have beenthe most used operating systemsfor years.The OS which we prefer most for theprogrammers laptop is Microsoft Windows because it supports most of theprogramming languages and also MacBooks are costlier than Windows laptops, so not everyone canafford it.

Well, If you are an iOS or any other Apples ecosystem developer or if you are planning to learn it, then youll have to buy a Mac for yourself because Objective C and Swift requires Xcode which is only available for Mac right now. So, if you are an Apple dev MacBook is your only choice, but which MacBook should you buy? Continue reading to find out.

Linux is also an excellent option for developers coding in Python, Ruby on Rails and PHP, but Windows also supports them all. So, overall Windows is preferred OS for all programmers and developers work machines, but for Apple developers, the Mac is a must.

Choosing processor of a laptop for programming

CPU aka processor is the brain of every computer. Whether youre developing a website or a mobile app, youll need a laptop with a powerful processor to run all those demanding programs you use to code and to run that code. Always look for quad-core processors or with higher core count than that for a laptop which will be used for programming. Processor with multiple core and thread count not only helps to load your code editors faster but also helps to compile and build your projects quickly, saving you a lot of time.

We thinklaptops with Intel i5 processorwill be able to suffice requirements of most of the programmers, but if you are into something intensive like game development or programming in graphics, then we recommendlaptops powered by Intel i7 processorto you. For beginners in programming and budget buyers, evenlaptops with Intel i3 processorwill get the job done but try to buy an Intel i5 powered laptop for programming if you can. That would make your purchase future proof.

How much RAM should your computer have to run your code?

Remember -
More the RAM, more programs youll be able to run simultaneously and easier it will be, to switch between all the running applications.

Well, that doesnt mean you should spend all your hard earned money to get the most RAM on your computer. But, its always good to have more RAM on a laptop to efficiently run local servers, compilers, code editor and a web browser simultaneously. We recommend at least 8GB of RAM for programming but again, if youre into game development, graphics programming, CNC programming or anything similar, then youre going to need 16GB or more RAM.

RecommendedRead Best High Performance Gaming Laptops Under $1500

Hard Drive or Solid State Drive on a laptop for programmers?

Lets keep it straight and simple, HDDs are slower; hence they are found mostly oncheaper laptops, and SSDs are faster (a lot faster actually) than HDDs, which are primarily found in laptops priced around $500 and upwards. Well, if we talk about laptops for programming specifically, then SSDs are highly beneficial to programmers. They significantly increase the overall speed of the computer, which means faster compile-time and quick opening of code editors and other softwares. Plus, it also helps to boot the laptop faster and quickly load your saved projects to continue work from where you left off.

So, we highly recommend the laptop with SSD for programming. Although they are slightly on the pricier side, its worth spending extra for the performance boost it provides.

Do you need dedicated graphics for programming?

Its good to have it but not necessarily because integrated graphics on new Intel and AMD CPUs are more than enough to run most of the programs that you will use to code on your laptop.

Still, its good to have it, if you also plan toplay games occasionally on your laptop. We think entry-level GPU from Nvidia or AMD with 2GB dedicated graphics is enough for programming and gaming, but if you are into game development or any other intensive coding that demands more horsepower, then you will need better graphics backed laptop for yourself.

Apart from the things mentioned above, a programmers laptop should also have a comfortable keyboard with decent traveling keys and a good anti-glare display (IPS recommended) to reduce eye strain while prolonged coding sessions. Good battery life and lightweight design will also be a huge plus.

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Now, you might have got all your doubts cleared, and questions answered about selecting the laptop for programming for yourself.

So, if you are ready, lets begin with the list of our top picks of laptops for developers and programmers right now. Shall we?

Best Laptops For Programming Top Picks

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ProductCPU | RAMSize | Weight
HP 15-dy1036nr 15 Laptop (Best Budget Option)Intel Core i5-1035G1 | 8GB15.6 | 3.7 lbs
Acer Aspire 5 Laptop (Best Affordable All-Rounder)Intel Core i5-10210U | 8GB15.6 | 3.9 lbs
Dell XPS 15 (Best Windows Laptop for Developers)Intel Core i7-10750H | 16GB15.6 | 4.0 lbs
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (For Game Developers & Graphics Programmers)Intel Core i7-9750H | 16GB16 | 4.3 lbs
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (Best MacBook for Programming)Intel Core i5 10th Gen Quad Core | 16GB13.3 | 3.1 lbs
Asus VivoBook S15Intel Core i7-10510U | 16GB15.6 | 3.9 lbs
MSI GS66 Gaming Laptop (Best For Programming and Gaming)Intel Core i7-10750H | 16GB15.6 | 4.6 lbs
Lenovo Ideapad 5Intel Core i5-1035G1 | 8GB14.0 | 3.4 lbs
Lenovo ThinkPad T590Intel Core i7-8565U | 8GB15.6 | 3.8 lbs
HP Spectre x360 13Intel Core i5-1035G4 | 8GB13.3 | 2.8 lbs
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1. HP 15-dy1036nr 15-inch Laptop Best Budget Laptop for Programming

Budget laptop for programming Philippines

HP 15-dy1036nr is the best option in our list of best laptops for programming for people who are running tight on budget. This laptop being the cheapest on the list doesnt compromise in performance. It is powered by the latest 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 quad-core processor, and it has got 8GB RAM to support all of your multitasking.

Although it doesnt come with dedicated graphics, Intels integrated UHD graphics does the great job to handle programming and casual gaming. It comes with beautiful 15.6-inch 1080p display with small bezels, and it has an anti-glare coating on the top. Plus, it gets enough bright and dark to code comfortably from anywhere and in any lighting conditions.

The only downside of this laptop is, the keyboard on this laptop is not backlit, but it is comfortable to type, and it also has numpad, just in case if that matters to you. All the required ports and slots are lined on either side of the laptop, making HP 15-dy1036nr notebook the complete all-round package for programmers.

Read our HP 15-dy1036nr Review

Hardware Specifications of HP 15-dy1036nr 15-inch Notebook
Processor10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 1.0GHz Quad-Core Processor (Turbo up to 3.6GHz)
RAM8GB DDR4 RAM (Upgradable)
Storage256GB SSD
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics
Display15.6-inch Full HD anti-glare WLED-backlit display
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home64-bit
Battery LifeUp to 10 hours
Weight3.7 lbs

$560.00 | Buy Now From Amazon

Budget laptop for programming Philippines
ASUS VivoBook 15

While we strongly recommend you to spend extra and get the laptop powered by Intel Core i5 processor for programming, if you are on a strict budget, then ASUS VivoBook 15 is a great option for under $500. It is powered by the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 (Ice Lake) processor with 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD for storage. The storage on the laptop is very low, but it is SSD, so performance is blazing fast. Moreover, if you need more storage space, you can use an external hard drive or swap out its SSD, which is easily doable. Overall, its an excellent budget performer with the newest specs. Apart from that, it comes with a 15.6-inch full HD display, a backlit keyboard, and even a fingerprint scanner, so its a complete value for money machine and the perfect choice for budget buyers. | Check price on Amazon

2. Acer Aspire 5 Best Affordable All-Rounder

Budget laptop for programming Philippines

Whether its programming or gaming, Acer Aspire 5 is an affordable all-around performing laptop that can handle almost everything you throw at it.

For the price tag of around $600, this laptop provides enough power to use this laptop for game development and graphics programming. It is powered by the latest 10th generation Intel Core i5 quad-core processor, which is combined with 8GB of RAM and dedicated Nvidia GeForce MX250 2GB DDR5 video memory. Enough said? It also has 512GB SSD storage making it the best high-performance laptop for programming and gaming in the segment.

Acer Aspire 5 also has a great keyboard with tactile backlit keys and a battery backup of 9 continuous hours! That was unexpected. Isnt it? It also has an extra RAM slot and an empty disk bay to expand its storage in the future, which is a huge plus if you game on the laptop or plan to use this machine for some heavy development.

All these great features make the Acer Aspire 5 one of the best affordable laptop for programming of 2020.

Read our full review of Acer Aspire 5 here.

Hardware Specifications of Acer Aspire 5 15.6 Full HD Laptop
ProcessorIntel Core i5-10210U 1.6GHz Quad-Core Processor (Turbo up to 4.2 GHz)
RAM8 GB DDR4 RAM
Storage512GB SSD
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce MX250 2GB DDR5 VRAM
Display15.6-inch Full HD ComfyView LED-Backlit IPS Screen, 1920 x 1080pixels Resolution
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home64-bit
Battery LifeUp to 9 hours
Weight3.97 lbs

Price not available | Buy at Amazon

You may like to check out: Our Most Recommended All-Purpose Laptops Under $600

3. Dell XPS 15 (2020)

Budget laptop for programming Philippines
The Best Windows Laptop for Developers

The recently launched 2020 Dell XPS 15 is really a badass laptop when it comes to performance and portability. Being a 15-inch laptop, it is smaller and lighter than most other 15-inch laptops, thanks to its bezel-less infinity display and carbon-fiber design. With just 4 pounds of weight, this laptop is perfect for those who are looking for a thin and light high performance laptop for coding.

It has the latest Intel Core i7 (6-core) Ice lake CPU and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU, making it perfect for power users like game developers and graphics programmers. However, if you need more power, then theres also an option of 8-core Intel Core i7 processor with up to 64GB RAM and 2TB SSD storage. So, it is a pretty maxed out machine that could handle even the most demanding coding work.

Apart from hardware, the keyboard on the Dell XPS 15 is also perfect for programmers. It is a backlit keyboard with 1.5mm travelling keys, which gives a very satisfying typing experience. Plus, its touchpad is also responsive and the largest you can find on any laptop. However, connectivity options are very limited on the 2020 XPS 15 with only 3 USB Type-C ports, two of which support Thunderbolt 3, and theres a 3.5mm jack for audio peripherals. Moreover, all this glory and power doesnt come cheap. Its price starts from $1300 and goes all the way up to $3000, which is a lot higher than the competition.

If budget is not a problem, then the 2020 Dell XPS 15 is the perfect programming ultrabook for game devs or anyone whose programming demands a lot of horsepower. The laptop shows no sign of slowing down even while pushing it to the limits and handles everything you throw at it without any problem.

Hardware Specifications of Dell XPS 15 (2020) Laptop
ProcessorIntel Core i7-10750H 2.6 GHz Six-Core Processor (Turbo up to 5.0 GHz)
RAM16GB DDR4 RAM
Storage512GB SSD
GraphicsNvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti 4GB DDR6 Graphics
Display15.6-inch Full HD+ (InfinityEdge) Anti-Glare Display (1920 x 1200) with 500-nits brightness
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home
Battery LifeUp to 10 hours
Weight4.0 lbs

Check Price on Dell

If you are not after the latest and greatest specs, then the 2019 Dell XPS 15 is still an excellent option. You can get it with the Intel Core i7-9750H 6-core processor (up to 4.5 GHz), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, which are a very capable set of specifications for a lot less than the new model. It also offers the similar 15.6-inch full HD InfinityEdge display, backlit keyboard, and trackpad. We think its the perfect choice for students, because of its lightweight design and long battery life. Moreover, it also has standard USB ports in case if you are still against embracing the dongle life. | See it on Dell

Dell XPS line up of laptops are also available with pre-installed Ubuntu Linux operating system so for all the programmers who prefer Linux as primary OS for their programming needs can directly buy the Dell XPS laptop with pre-installed Ubuntu OS from Dell.com

If you want to buy the linux laptop for programming, then you can check out our guide to buy the best linux laptops where you will find other good linux laptops which you can buy for coding.

4. Apple MacBook Pro 16 For Game Developers and Graphics Programming

Budget laptop for programming Philippines

The MacBook is the default option for programmers who write code in Swift and Objective C. However, we dont recommend the MacBook Pro 16 to all the Apple developers. Its the most powerful MacBook that Apple makes right now and is the best option for programmers whose workload includes graphics and a lot of resource heavy operations.

It is powered by a six-core Intel Core i7 processor paired with 16GB of RAM and dedicated AMD Radeon Pro 5300M graphics. Combined, it outputs enough performance to fire up all your servers, code editor, a browser with 20 or more tabs, and still, youll have enough resources to open up other programs and run them simultaneously! For storage, it offers 512GB of SSD, which should suffice the requirements of most programmers. These are our recommended set of specifications of MacBook Pro 16 for programming; however, if you need more power, then it can be configured with an 8-core Intel Core i9 processor and AMD Radeon Pro 5500M GPU with 8GB DDR6 Graphics, and up to 64GB RAM and 8TB SSD storage. Thats a lot of power, and it would be overkill for most programmers, but whats surprising though is all this power comes packed in a chassis that weighs just 4.3 pounds and 0.6-inch thick. Surprisingly, thermal throttling is not an issue on the MacBook Pro 16.

Thanks to its huge dimensions, theres enough room inside for its hardware to breathe. Plus, it has two fans inside that dissipates all hot air out, and it manages to keep the keyboard and palm rest area always at comfortable temperatures. Speaking of the keyboards, the MacBook Pro 16 comes with an updated scissor mechanism keyboard with 1mm traveling keys. The new keyboard delivers an enjoyable and tactile typing experience, just like older MacBooks, and it also has a dedicated ESCAPE key!

Everything is pleasant about the MacBook Pro 16. Isnt it? Well, check out its price. It starts at $2400 for an i7 variant, and if you want i9, it starts from $2800. So, unless youre into some serious coding job that can utilize all the CPU cores and GPU power it has to offer, we dont recommend the MacBook Pro 16 to you. The MacBook Pro 13 is an excellent default option for most Apple developers and other programmers who prefer macOS over Windows, which is our next recommendation in this list of best laptops for programming. However, if you are also a content creator who makes videos for YouTube or anything along with coding, then the MacBook Pro 16 will be a good option for programming and video editing.

Hardware Specifications of Apple MacBook Pro 16
ProcessorIntel Core i7 2.6 GHz Six-core 9th Gen Coffee Lake Processor (Turbo boost up to 4.5GHz)
RAM16GB 2666MHz RAM
Storage512GB SSD
GraphicsAMD Radeon Pro 5300M 4GB DDR6 Graphics
Display16-inch Retina True Tone Display, 3072 x 1920 pixels Resolution
Operating SystemmacOS Catalina
Battery Life11 hours
Weight4.3 lbs

$2,799.00 | Buy from Amazon

You may like to check out: The Best Laptops for Video Editing of 2020

5. Apple MacBook Pro 13 Best MacBook for programming

Budget laptop for programming Philippines

The MacBook Pro 13 is our most recommended MacBook for programming right now. The new 2020 models pack the latest 10th Gen Intel processors inside a sexy looking all-metal unibody chassis that we all are familiar with and it weighs less than 4 pounds.

It has got 13.3-inch True Tone Retina display with impressive viewing angles, and it also has an improved backlit keyboard with scissor switches just like the older MacBook Pro. On the hardware front, this laptop is powered by a 10th Gen quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. It outputs enough power to smoothly run all your programming softwares, compilers, emulators etc. and despite having such powerful hardware in a thin and light form-factor, it manages to keep laptop always at comfortable temperatures.

Well, if you think that the specs mentioned above wont be enough for your work, then it is also configurable with up to the newest 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB RAM and 4TB SSD. However, if you are thinking of configuring it with i7 processor, then its better to go with the MacBook Pro 16 instead. Youll get more performance for the price with it.

All in all, we think the 2020 MacBook Pro 13 is currently the best developers compatible MacBook. It is ultra-portable with long battery life to carry it anywhere and work on-the-go, and it packs enough power to develop apps and games for Apple devices or do coding in general.

Hardware Specifications of Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
Processor10th Generation Intel Core i5 2.0 GHz Quad-core Processor (Turbo up to 3.8 GHz)
RAM16GB DDR4 RAM
Storage512GB SSD
GraphicsIntel Iris Plus Graphics 645
Display13.3-inch Retina Display, 2560 x 1600pixels Resolution
Operating SystemmacOS Catalina
Battery Life10 hours
Weight3.1 lbs

$1,510.99 | Buy at Amazon

If you are looking for an affordable MacBook, then you can get the base variant of the 2020 MacBook Pro 13 which comes with the 8th Gen Intel Core i5 quad-core processor, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD for Price not available from Amazon. The specs are slightly older, but its still a very capable laptop for software or app development and a perfect affordable option for students learning to code or anyone whose programming isnt much demanding.

If you are on a strict budget and planning to stay under $1000, then the recently refreshed 2020 MacBook Air can also run Xcode and other IDEs without any problems. Youll be surprised by the amount of performance the new MacBook Air packs inside its thin and light chassis. For $999, you can get it with the newest 10th Gen Intel Core i3 dual-core processor, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, which outputs a decent amount of power to handle basic programming. | Buy Now From Amazon

You may like to read: The Best 13-inch Laptops Our Most Recommended Portable Laptops Right Now

6. Asus VivoBook S15 Powerful Thin & Light Laptop

Budget laptop for programming Philippines

Asus VivoBook S15 is one of our favorite all-purpose laptop with powerful high performance hardware which we think is also suitable for programming and coding. From build quality to performance, Asus has done really a great job to make this laptop perfect in all ways.

It is powered by quad core Intel i7 processor combined with 16GB of RAM to handle all your multitasking and for storage, this laptop has lightning fast 256GB of SSD and spacious 1TB HDD. Asus VivoBook S15 also has the dedicated graphics processor in the form of Nvidia GeForce MX250 GPU.

This high-end specced laptop can run all your programming softwares pretty easily and you can also play most of the latest gaming titles on this laptop at medium graphics settings. Apart from this, it is also a very smart and ergonomically designed laptop. Its intelligent dual fan design provides robust cooling to keep this laptop always at normal temperatures while gaming and heavy multitasking.

With 15-inch of full HD display, an ergonomic backlit keyboard and long lasting battery life, Asus VivoBook S15 stands strong among all other contenders in the same price range. Hence, its here in our top picks of best laptops for programming and coding of 2020.

Hardware Specifications of ASUS VivoBook S15 (S512FL-PH77) Laptop
ProcessorIntel Core i7-10510U quad-core processor (Turbo up to 4.9 GHz)
RAM16GB DDR4 RAM
Storage1TB HDD + 256GB SSD
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce MX250 2GB DDR5 Graphics
Display15.6-inch Full HD NanoEdge Display, 1920 x 1080 pixels Resolution
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home
Battery LifeUp to 8 hours
Weight3.9 lbs

Price not available | Buy at Amazon

7. MSI GS66 15.6 Gaming Laptop Best Laptop for Programming and Gaming

Budget laptop for programming Philippines

If you are looking for a laptop for programming which can run all the latest games, then MSI GS66 is our pick. It is a gaming ultrabook housing the latest hardware and fast refresh-rate display, which is excellent for gaming and programming both.

Its finished in matte black color, which looks premium, and its chassis is built from high-quality polycarbonate and has an aluminum lid with a black MSI logo. The best thing about the design of the MSI GS66 is it doesnt look like a gaming laptop. It has an RGB keyboard that shouts that its a gaming laptop, but you can turn it off when you are at an office or in the classroom if you are a student.

It comes with the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i7 six-core processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 GPU paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD, which outputs enough performance to play all the latest games on this laptop. Apart from that, it has a 15.6-inch full HD 144Hz refresh-rate display, which complements its gaming ability. The display is also great for programming. Its gets bright enough to use in every lighting condition and has an anti-glare coating for eye-protection.

Overall, the MSI GS66 is an excellent high-performance laptop that is best for programming and gaming. It packs very high-end hardware in a thin and light chassis that weighs less than 5 pounds, and it has a screen and keyboard thats well-suited for coding as well as gaming.

Hardware Specifications of MSI GS66 10SE 15.6 Gaming Laptop
ProcessorIntel Core i7-10750H 2.6 GHz Hexa-core Processor (Turbo up to 5.0 GHz)
RAM16GB DDR4 RAM
Storage512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
GraphicsNvidia GeForce RTX 2060 6GB DDR6 Graphics
Display15.6-inch Full HD LED-lit Anti-Glare Screen with 144Hz Refresh-Rate
Operating SystemWindows 10 Pro 64-bit
Battery LifeUp to 9 hours
Weight4.6 lbs

$1,499.99 | Buy Now From Best Buy

Budget laptop for programming Philippines
ASUS TUF A15 Gaming Laptop

If you are looking for a budget laptop for programming with gaming capabilities, then our top pick currently for the gaming laptop under $1000 price range is the ASUS TUF A15, which comes with the AMD hardware. Now, heres what you need to know. There are few programming languages and IDEs that dont go well with AMD hardware. So, do proper research about all the softwares and tools you use for programming before buying any laptop with AMD hardware. The ASUS TUF A15 is an excellent budget gaming laptop with the newest 8-core AMD Ryzen processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GPU, and it can run all the AAA gaming titles at high graphics settings. However, it may not support a few softwares used by most developers regularly. | Check price on Amazon

Well, if you want to avoid the AMD laptops for that reason, there are many other Intel-powered gaming laptops available in the $1000 price range. Check out our this months top picks of sub-$1000 gaming laptops for that.

8. Lenovo Ideapad 5 Best Value for Money

Budget laptop for programming Philippines

Lenovo has got some of the best value for money laptops in its portfolio, and this Ideapad 5 14-inch notebook is one of them. It is recently launched and comes with a new design and all current generation hardware. Speaking of the new design, it adds more professional looks to the laptop, and its polycarbonate chassis finished in graphite grey color makes it look appealing and feels premium in hands.

The performance of this laptop is also top-notch. It has a 10th generation quad-core Intel Core i5 processor inside and 8GB of RAM for multitasking. It also has dedicated Nvidia GeForce MX350 GPU, which makes this laptop suitable for all sorts of development work and even light gaming.

For icing on the cake, the Lenovo Ideapad 5 also comes with a backlit keyboard, which is ergonomically designed to deliver the most comfortable typing experience. Even its display is eye-friendly, and it is calibrated to reduce eye fatigue. Plus, it is anti-glare. So, the new Lenovo Ideapad 5 is a complete package for coding and it is among the few laptops right now, which comes with all the latest hardware specifications, too, with a relatively affordable price tag.

Hardware Specifications of Lenovo Ideapad 5
Processor10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 1.0 GHz Quad-core Processor (Turbo up to 3.6 GHz)
RAM8GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM
Storage256GB SSD
GraphicsNvidia GeForce MX350 2GB DDR5 VRAM
Display14-inch Full HD IPS Anti-Glare Display with 300-nits Brightness
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home 64-bit
Battery LifeUp to 11 hours
Weight3.4 lbs

$799.99 | Buy Now From Lenovo

Budget laptop for programming Philippines
HP ENVY 13 Best Ultrabook for Programming Under $1000 of 2020

If you dont mind spending a little bit more for added performance and more premium and lightweight laptop, then 2020 HP Envy 13 is another excellent value for money laptop. It has an all-metal chassis that weighs just 2.8 pounds! Thats neck to neck with portability king MacBook Air! However, performance-wise its a way more capable ultrabook, and surprisingly it is very well-priced as well. For under $1000, you can get it with the 10th Gen Intel Core i7 quad-core processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and dedicated Nvidia GeForce MX250 GPU. Thats some serious punch in such thin and light form-factor. The screen on the HP ENVY 13 is also beautiful with a 13.3-inch touch-sensitive IPS panel and small bezels. Plus, you get a very well laid out keyboard with decent traveling backlit keys and a very responsive touchpad powered by Windows precision drivers. So, you cannot go wrong with HP ENVY 13. Its one of the best ultrabook you can buy for programming under $1000 right now with the very capable hardware and exceptionally thin and light body. | See it on HP

9. Lenovo ThinkPad T590

Budget laptop for programming Philippines

Lenovos ThinkPad line of laptops is well-renowned among businesspeople because of its business proof design and powerful performance which comes paired with security features that one can rely upon. The recently updated ThinkPad T590 looks similar to its predecessors but its display now has tiny bezels, and theres ThinkShutter on the webcam which can be used to cover the webcam when not in use.

The changes are mainly on the inside which means the ThinkPad T590 comes with the latest Whiskey Lake 8th Gen Intel processors and provides options to select RAM and storage up to 32GB and 1TB PCIe based SSD respectively. So, its pretty capable on the hardware front making it good enough for all sorts of computer programming and development work.

It comes with all the ports and slots, including traditional USB 3.1 ports, HDMI, Ethernet, USB Type-C Thunderbolt port and it also has an SD card reader. Whats surprising though is, its battery lasts up to 14 hours on a single charge! So, its easily one of the best laptops for programming you can buy right now. It has powerful innards, beautiful 1080p display and not to forget a class-leading ThinkPad keyboard which is hard to find replacement of.

Hardware Specifications of Lenovo ThinkPad T590
Processor8th Generation Intel Core i7-8565U 1.8 GHz Quad-core Processor (Turbo up to 4.6 GHz)
RAM8GB DDR4 RAM
Storage256GB PCIe NVMe SSD
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics 620
Display15.6-inch Full HD IPS Anti Glare Display with 1920 x 1080 pixels Resolution
Operating SystemWindows 10 Pro 64-bit
Battery LifeUp to 14 hours
Weight3.8 lbs

$999.99 | Buy Now From Lenovo

Budget laptop for programming Philippines
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2 15 High Performance Laptop

If budget is not a problem, then Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2 is the best ThinkPad you can buy for programming right now. It packs all the goodness of ThinkPads and high-performance Intel Coffee Lake six-core processor and dedicated Nvidia GPU in a premium chassis made from carbon fiber, which is light enough to travel and work comfortably on-the-go. Its price starts from around $1500, and we think its base variant will be good enough for programming. It packs enough power to handle even the most demanding development work. Apart from that, it has a bright 15-inch full HD IPS anti-glare display or optional 4K touch OLED and its battery can last for up to 14 hours on a single charge, which makes it great for long coding sessions. | Check price on Lenovo

10. HP Spectre x360 13 Convertible Laptop

Budget laptop for programming Philippines

If you are looking for a convertible laptop for coding, then the 2020 HP Spectre x360 laptop will end your search here. With all-metal chassis finished in silver color and sharp cut edges, the HP Spectre x360 is one of the most sexiest looking laptops you can buy right now.

The laptop scores full marks in the design segment but it doesnt lack behind in performance either. It comes in two sizes 13 and 15 inch. The 13-inch models can be configured with the newest 10th Gen Ice Lake Intel processors while the 15-inch variants are powered by a powerful Comet Lake six-core Intel processors with dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q GPU. Performance wise both are excellent, but if your programming work demands more power, then 15-inch would be a better option.

Speaking of its battery life, the 13-inch variant averages around 12 hours and for 15-inch variant its 9 hours which is rather great considering the kind of power they pack inside. Moreover, its keyboard is also excellent with the perfect layout, and its keys provide nice feel and feedback while typing. So, all in all, the HP Spectre x360 is a great convertible laptop that checks almost all the boxes of the requirements of programmers. It has great looks, powerful and newest hardware and all-day battery life as well. Moreover, it also comes with standard USB Type-A ports along with Thunderbolt USB Type-C ports, which is great considering other thin and light laptops avoiding standard USB ports completely. Hence, the HP Spectre x360 is one of the best convertible laptops for programmers who like to keep their style game on point.

Hardware Specifications of HP Spectre x360 13 Convertible Laptop
Processor10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G4 1.1 GHz Quad-core Processor (Turbo up to 3.7 GHz)
RAM8GB DDR4 RAM
Storage256GB PCIe M.2 SSD
GraphicsIntel Iris Plus Graphics
Display13.3-inch Full HD IPS WLED-backlit Multitouch Display with 1920 x 1080 pixels Resolution
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home 64-bit
Battery LifeUp to 12 hours
Weight2.8 lbs

$1,049.99 | Buy Now From HP

Budget laptop for programming Philippines
Surface Book 3 Best 2-in-1 Laptop for Developers

The Microsoft Surface Book 3 is another excellent option if versatility is what you are seeking for in your laptop for programming. It is a unique 2-in-1 laptop, well-suited to artists and graphics designers, but its powerful hardware synced with pure Windows experience makes it good enough for programming as well. Its available in two different sizes 13-inch and 15-inch, and both pack pretty powerful hardware inside. You can configure it with the newest quad-core Intel 10th Gen processors and dedicated Nvidia GPU with up to 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD. So, its a very capable 2-in-1 laptop that can handle even the most demanding coding work, however, apart from that, you can also enjoy all the new games on it thanks to its powerful GPU. Moreover, its backlit keyboard is also very comfortable for long coding sessions, and its battery lasts for up to 15 hours on a single charge.

Whats unique about it though is, its screen can be detached with the press of a button on its keyboard and used as a completely standalone Windows tablet. You can attach its screen with the keyboard to get some coding done and detach it to enjoy Netflix in your leisure time. | Check Price on Amazon

You may like to check out: The Best Laptops Under $1000 of 2020 Our Top Picks Right Now
BONUS RECOMMENDATIONS

ASUS Chromebook Flip A Chromebook for Programming?

Budget laptop for programming Philippines
ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 Best Chromebook For Programming

If you are geeky enough to find a way to code on Chrome OS, then Chromebooks are one of the least expensive laptops you can buy for programming. With the recent support of Linux on Chrome OS, it has been a popular choice of a lot of programmers. So, if you are looking for a Chromebook for your coding job, then ASUS Chromebook Flip is an excellent value for money option.

It has a very premium looking design with all-metal chassis and a beautiful 14 Full HD touchscreen display with small bezels. Its keyboard is also very similar to that of Windows laptops, so it will take very little to no time to get used to it. Plus, its a great keyboard with decent traveling backlit keys and enough palm rest area to comfortably type for an extended period of time.

Its a great affordable alternative to the Windows laptops or MacBooks that costs an arm and leg. You can get the ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 which comes with an Intel Core m3-8100Y processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC storage for $449.99 on Amazon. While it may sound like pretty mediocre specs, but Chrome OS doesnt require a lot of power to run, since its a cloud-based operating system. Youll be surprised by how smooth everything runs on such less powerful hardware. Well, if you want Chromebook with better specs, then you can get the newer model, ASUS Chromebook Flip C436, which comes with the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U quad-core processor, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. It is available for $729.39 on Amazon, which is costly but it boasts a lot of power inside, and it has all the bells and whistles of any premium laptop of 2020 like a great backlit keyboard, a fingerprint scanner, the newest Wi-Fi 6 and four amazing sounding speakers powered by Harman Kardon.

LG Gram 17 Best 17-inch Laptop for Programming

Budget laptop for programming Philippines
LG Gram 17 The Best 17-Incher for Developers

For those who are looking for a large screen laptop, there are a lot of options available actually, but our top pick for programming is the LG Gram 17 which is the lightest 17-inch laptop available right now weighing just 2.9 pounds. It sports a 17-inch IPS display with tiny bezels and its a bright and colorful panel. It is powered by the newest Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor along with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD. So, its a pretty capable machine and can handle heavy multitasking with compilers, code editors and browser loaded with tabs without any hiccups. | Check Price on Amazon

These are our top picks of laptops for programming which are handpicked by our team of laptop professionals by keeping all the requirements of programmers in mind.

We hope our extensive research and hard work that we put in to make this guide, help you to buy the best laptop for coding for yourself. Keep visiting for more such guides, tips and suggestions to buy your new laptop.

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