Are Laptops Good For Computer Programming? The Best Gaming And Programming Laptops
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Programming and gaming are two sides of the same coin. After all, virtually all video games that people play are made up entirely of programming, whether that is 28 lines of code to 28 million lines.
It is the skeletal structure that keeps your games running (as well as the thing that often results in some of the most hilarious glitches and breaks in gaming history, looking at you Skyrim and Sonic The Hedgehog 2006)
However, when it comes to learn about the skills to be able to create and run those programs yourself, many people are left wondering what systems or laptops they need to run them themselves.
For example, will they be able to learn and use these programs on their ordinary gaming laptop or pc system, or will they need to buy some more powerful dedicated hardware to be able to program for themselves?
This is a crucial question for many newcomers to programming, as well as for seasoned programmers who are considering buying a dedicated pc gaming laptop instead of a normal laptop.
In this guide, we are going to discuss what, if anything, makes gaming laptops great for programming too, as well as go over some of the best laptops you can find out there right now that are perfect for both of these pursuits.
Are Laptops Good For Computer Programming?
Before we start, we should probably clarify whether laptops are good for computer programming in general, if desktop computers are more ideal.
The simple answer is: Of course laptops are great for programming! These pocket-sized computers are a programmer’s best friend!
Most laptops on the market today work great for testing programming. If you do have the money, having a high-end, cutting-edge model will help you create, edit and test your codes faster, and will help speed up your general workflow and free more of your time up.
This need for powerful processors and high-quality tech inside your computer is what often makes people wonder if gaming laptops are suited for this function.
Are Gaming Laptops Good For Computer Programming?
So, with the general information out of the way, are gaming laptops good for programmers, both new and experienced.
Well, gaming laptops, especially new ones, are equipped with some of the best hardware that can tackle the needs of running most software programming systems.
They have the necessary processing power, they have plenty of RAM that is needed for completing high-end coding and programming, as well as an excellent graphics card to be able to run them too.
The large RAM is especially important for those who are looking to branch out into programming, especially at higher levels.
Normal laptops, whilst great for more simple programming, would struggle to run codes that you may have to create and process in computer engineering courses at college or university.
How Much RAM Do You Need For Programming?
So, we know that you need RAM to be able to run programming software programs, but how much RAM exactly?
Generally speaking, and depending on what program you are using exactly, the minimum amount of ram that a laptop should have is at least 8BG of RAM.
Ideally, for a laptop that is running a program such as Java as their programming software, you should have a laptop that is closer to 16BG of RAM, as you will be able to run multiple programs without your laptop slowing down.
If you need to be running even more programs in the background, apply that same principle to your RAM. The more complex and numerous the program you are running, the more RAM you will need in general.
The Best Gaming And Programming Laptops Out There
So, having covered what exactly you are going to need for a good programming laptop, here are some of the best gaming and programming laptops that you can buy for both these needs on the market right now!
Razer Blade 15
This is a laptop that is tailor-made to be powerful, compact, and tough enough for all your needs.
Tough might be a little of a surprise when it comes to things to consider for your programming and gaming laptop, but laptops can be dropped or take hits at pretty much anytime.
Having a meta case, such as the one that this Razer uses, will protect it from those unfortunate accidents that you may have with it.
Of course, no good gaming laptop is complete without a decent amount of RAM, and the Razer Blade delivers on that, and then some.
Not only is the base model equipped with at least 8GB of the stuff, but the laptop’s base cover can easily be replaced to help boost your RAM up to 32BG! That’s an insane amount of power for a laptop, plus great battery life and a beautiful display.
No products found.
Acer Predator Helios 300
Of course, the Razer might be a little out of most people’s budgets when it comes to looking for a new laptop, so you may want to consider other options, such as the Acer Predator Helios 300.
This laptop comes in a tough and bulky package with a beautiful finish. While a bulky laptop might sound counterintuitive at first, this means that this laptop is capable of taking tons of punishment, while still working like a charm.
And, of course, the laptop has the RAM to boot too. With 16BG coming as standard with this model, you won’t have to worry about it being able to process all your programming needs.
Plus, with a 144 Hz rate and crisp-clear display, you don’t have to worry about your laptop stuttering through a program either.
No products found.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! Some of the sturdiest gaming laptops out there, and why they are also great for programmers! We hope this article has helped clear things up for you!
Kate is mom of two rambunctious boys and a self-proclaimed super nerd. With a background in neuroscience, she is passionate about sharing her love of all things STEM with her kids. She loves to find creative ways to teach kids computer science and geek out about coding and math. She has authored several books on coding for kids which can be found at Hachette UK.
