Say you’re a broke programmer(Which happens to the best of us). You need a laptop to do your job, but you don’t have the money for an expensive one. What do you do? Never fear, my friend! I’m here to help.
I mean, yeah, you might be thinking Programming laptops can be expensive, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to get a good one. In fact, there are plenty of great budget laptops out there that are perfect for programming.
I know you also don’t want to sacrifice performance for the price. It’s a tough decision, we know.
But before you panic, check out this list of the best budget programming laptops for 2022. You’re sure to find something that fits your needs and your budget.
List of Best Budget Programming Laptop
Let’s take a look, shall we?
1. HP Pavilion x360
It’s fast, it gets job done type of laptop. If you want to save some money and still have a good programming laptop then this is the one for you.
The HP Pavillion x360 is a great value for your money. It has a fast processor and plenty of storage for your coding needs.
Looking at the display, it is clear that this was made with the coder in mind. The colors are natural and the visuals are clear. This will make coding so much easier on your eyes.
The 14-inch screen is the perfect size for coding. It’s not too small that you feel cramped, but it’s not too large that it becomes cumbersome to carry around.
Additionally, the 360-degree hinge is perfect for those moments when you need to switch between laptop and tablet mode. This is a great feature for coders who like to take their work with them on the go.
Moreover, the hardware is top-notch. The Intel Core i5 is a powerful processor that can handle anything you throw at it. The 8GB of DDR4 RAM is also great for multitasking.
Even though most programmers take advantage of cloud storage these days, it’s still important to have local storage. This laptop comes with a 512GB SSD, which is more than enough for most coders.
Since the keyboard is very important for coding, the backlit keyboard is a great feature. You will be able to see the keys in the dark and type with ease.
One thing I love about this laptop is the battery life. You can get up to 9 hours and 45 minutes of use on a single charge. This is perfect for long coding sessions.
And if you want to connect to the internet, the Wi-Fi 6 is very fast and reliable, so uploading stuff won’t be a problem.
To top it off, if you are fond of wired connectivity, there are multiple ports available, including HDMI and USB Type-A.
If you are using programs like Visual Studio or Notepad++, the HP Pavilion x360 will be a great choice for you. It has all the features you need, and it’s very affordable.
So don’t hesitate and get yourself this laptop if you are looking for a good coding laptop on a budget. You won’t regret it!
2. Acer Aspire 5
I tried out some programming applications to see how well the Acer Aspire 5 performed. I was impressed with the speed and smoothness of the overall experience.
As for the display, the visuals were clear and bright, the 15.6 ” Full HD IPS display provided plenty of screens to focus on.
Under the hood, the latest AMD Ryzen 4000 series processor supercharges your laptop for work and play. Get things done fast and easy, shop with built-in security, and immerse yourself in leading-edge entertainment.
Moreover, I found the webcam to be crisp and detailed which is a massive bonus, to say the very least!
The Aspire 5 comes with a built-in fingerprint reader for security, as well as Acer Purified Voice with two microphones, which ensures clear communications. It also has a backlit keyboard, so you can work comfortably in any environment.
It’s worth noting that it also has a very thin and light design, making it perfect for traveling.
As for battery life, I was able to use the Aspire 5 for a full workday without needing to recharge, so for my programming buddies out there, this is definitely a laptop that can keep up with your needs.
The keyboard was comfortable to type on, and the trackpad was responsive, this is the most important aspect so tested it thoroughly.
I also appreciate the variety of ports that are available on this laptop. With USB Type-C, 2 x USB 3.2, HDMI, and more, you can easily connect to a variety of external devices.
In short, the Acer Aspire 5 is a great budget programming laptop that ticks all the boxes. It’s fast, has a great display, and has plenty of features that make it perfect for programming applications. If you’re on the hunt for a new programming laptop, get this one!
3. ASUS VivoBook F512
A true gift for programming nerds, the ASUS VivoBook F512 is a powerful and compact machine that will make your programming tasks a breeze.
This laptop comes equipped with an AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 5 3500U Processor, making it one of the most powerful machines in its class.
In addition, the 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD provide ample storage and processing power for even the most demanding programming applications.
The 15.6-inch FHD 4-way NanoEdge bezel display is one of the highlights of this laptop, as it provides an immersive experience for programming tasks.
In addition, the backlit keyboard with a fingerprint sensor is a great feature for those who want to ensure your data is protected at all costs, after all, you would be working on some top-level projects, right?
Crunch through whatever software you are working on such as Microsoft Visual Studio with ease as the AMD Radeon Vega 8 discrete graphics card provides the power you need to get things done.
And wired connection is equally important for some, the comprehensive connections including USB 3.2 Type-C, USB 3.2, USB 2.0, HDMI, and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) will let you connect to any devices you need without a hitch.
The ASUS VivoBook F512 also sports a very thin and light design, making it perfect for those who are always on the go but still need a reliable machine to get their work done without any issues.
Battery life is quite important to me because I find myself in a situation where I cannot take breaks to recharge my devices, so thankfully the ASUS VivoBook F512 did not disappoint as I was able to use it for a full workday without any issues.
In conclusion, the ASUS VivoBook F512 is a great budget programming laptop that has everything you need to get your work done without any issues. It is powerful, compact, and has a beautiful display that will make your programming experience easy and fast.
4. HP Pavilion 15
When it comes to quality and design, the HP Pavilion 15 Laptop is in a league of its own.
Its 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor and 16 GB of RAM deliver instant responsiveness and unbeatable performance, while its 512 GB SSD Storage provides ample space for all your programming needs.
But that’s not all – this laptop also comes with a Full HD IPS micro-edge display, meaning you’ll enjoy stunning visuals and a larger screen-to-body ratio.
In my opinion, the keyboard is way too comfortable, which instantly made me fall in love and enhanced my productivity.
When it comes to sports, there are plenty of them – 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C, 1 HDMI 2.0b, 1 AC smart pin, and 1 headphone/microphone combo.
Plus, its long battery life of up to 8 hours which is quite amazing, something programming nerds would definitely dig.
And if that’s not enough, HP Fast Charge lets you go from 0 to 50% charge in just 45 minutes.
Moreover, the HP 1-year limited hardware warranty and integrated Windows 10 Pro operating system make this laptop the perfect choice
So if you’re looking for a laptop that can keep up with your programming demands, the HP Pavilion 15 is a perfect choice.
5. Lenovo Flex 5
If you’re looking for a laptop that’s as light on your wallet as it is on your lap, then the Lenovo Flex 5 14 2-in-1 is the one for you.
This budget-friendly laptop is packed with features that make it perfect for programming, including a powerful AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor and Radeon graphics.
All those projects and hours of codes won’t store themselves, you need ample storage for that and this laptop has you covered with a whopping 256GB. Plus, the 16GB RAM ensures that your system can handle all those programs and files without breaking a sweat.
What’s more, the 10-point FHD IPS touchscreen and digital pen make working on this laptop a breeze whether you’re in ‘Laptop’ mode or ‘Tablet’ mode.
And as far as display is concerned, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better one than the Flex 5’s 14-inch FHD touchscreen. Plus, the 360⁰ hinge lets you use it in any mode that suits your needs.
But what really sets the Flex 5 apart from other laptops in its price range is its battery life. With up to 10 hours of juice, you can take this baby anywhere without having to worry about finding an outlet.
Moreover, being a developer, you must have plenty of tools and peripherals to work with which is why for wired connectivity, the Flex 5 has two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and an HDMI port.
So, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop that has everything you need for programming, the Lenovo Flex 5 14 2-in-1 is the one for you.
Now excuse me while I go buy one myself.
6. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming
Hey, you! Yeah, you, the one with the tired eyes and the sleeping bag-looking laptop. Does that laptop of yours still in good shape No? Then it sounds like you need an upgrade, my friend. And I’m here to help.
I present to you the best budget programming laptop: The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 15.6″ Laptop.
This baby is fueled by the revolutionary AMD Ryzen 5000 H-Series mobile processor. It’s got 6 ultra-responsive cores that are perfect for productivity. Plus, with a 120Hz refresh rate, you’re guaranteed to have tear-free visuals while you design and work on numerous projects.
It also comes with 8GB 3200 MHz DDR4 RAM memory and 256GB M.2 PCIe SSD storage so you can save all your progress without having to worry about space.
And if that’s not enough, it has an RJ45 Ethernet and 2×2 WiFi 802.11 ax for when you need to connect to the internet. Plus, with Bluetooth 5.0, you can easily connect to other devices.
I know that even the biggest programming nerd, sometimes requires to relax which is why for auditory sensation, this laptop has 2 x 2W speakers with Nahimic Audio, just for you.
You can also use the spacious gaming keyboard with a white backlight to play around and surf the internet for more tutorials to learn and sharpen your skills.
And don’t get me started on the plethora of ports it has including an HDMI and USB-C. You can easily connect this laptop to any other devices you need without having to worry about compatibility issues.
Lastly, I believe, the battery of this programming laptop is unrivaled. It could last up to 7 hours on a single charge! You can now work all day and/or night without ever having to leave your comfortable spot on the couch.
So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and purchase the best budget programming laptop: The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 15.
7. Lenovo IdeaPad 3
If you are a freelancer that likes to travel a lot, you would kill for a powerful laptop that doesn’t break the bank. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop is the perfect device for you! It has a massive 17-inch HD+ display that is great for entertainment and productivity.
The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Processor and 8GB DDR4 RAM make this laptop a powerhouse, while the 512GB SSD storage keeps all of your files safe and sound.
As for the display quality, the AMD Integrated Radeon 7 Graphics will make your videos and pictures look incredible. And with Dolby Audio, you can expect crystal-clear sound whether you’re watching a video, streaming music, or video-chatting.
I mean it’s not like you are going to use this laptop for only productivity, sometimes you have to take the steam off and relax.
One of the best features of this laptop is the physical shutter on the webcam. This is perfect for keeping your privacy intact when you need it.
Because, being a developer, you would also know the danger of the internet, and getting hacked and spied on is the last thing you would want while you work all day long.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop also comes with WiFi 6 (2.2 802.11 ax) and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity; ports include USB-C, USB-A 3.2, USB-A 2.0, HDMI, SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Isn’t it amazing? You could work with so many ports without buying an external adapter!
The best part about this laptop is the price tag! You won’t have to spend a fortune to get your hands on this amazing device.
Lastly, as most of the developers nowadays are generally couch potatoes which means you would be incredibly lazy to get up and charge your laptop, the battery life is pretty amazing too.
All in all, even if your pocket is light, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop will make you feel like a king!
Final Verdict
So there you have it, my friends! The best budget laptops for programming that won’t break the bank. I hope this article was helpful and that you are now one step closer to finding the perfect laptop for your needs.
It’s worth noting that the most significant consideration when choosing a laptop is finding one that fits your requirements. Not all laptops are created equal and each has its own set of features that make it unique.
Now go forth and pick the perfect laptop for your programming needs from my list above, you won’t be disappointed! And don’t forget to have fun while you’re at it.
If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below. And as always, happy coding!