Gaming laptops are perfect for programming as they can handle the latest software, applications, and other computing tasks as well.
The laptops have the necessary hardware and operating systems for programming, content creation, 3D modeling, rendering, and all the other tasks that require more power than usual.
Many people look for a laptop that is not only powerful but portable as well. Such laptops can be used for both work and play.
Laptop specs required for programming
The best programming laptop should be strong enough to handle the software and light enough to be carried around in college and university. We have listed some specs that you should investigate before buying a gaming laptop for programming.
RAM: The amount of RAM depends on the type of programmer you are. If you want to code in JAVA, then more RAM will be required. If you want to code in python, then you can go with 8GB RAM as well.
In general, for the programming tasks to run efficiently a minimum of 8GB is required. Although, it is preferable to have 16GB of RAM. If you are working on a larger project, more RAM will be required otherwise there will be some lags.
So, the wiser option is to go for a laptop with 12 to 16GB RAM.
CPU: For programming, a solid processor is very important. By solid, it doesn’t mean that the processor must be the latest, it must be quad-core or octa-core. The processor must be core i7, core i9, AMD Ryzen 7, or more.
These processors can handle all the heavy computing tasks without slowing down your laptops.
Display: A higher resolution is a must for a programming laptop. The minimum requirement for resolution is 1920 x 1080. If you need to work on website coding or any other project that requires good graphics, always go for more than 1080p.
As far as the screen size is concerned, any laptop with a 15 inches screen will be ideal. However, if you are not doing graphic-heavy coding, 13 inches screen will also be enough.
Storage: You will be needing a lot of SSD storage for programming. Whenever during coding, you need access to heavy files SSD storage will come in handy. A minimum of 256GB of SSD is recommended.
The boot time and the load time of the operating system will be reduced.
Reasons to use gaming laptops for programming
Gaming laptops are power-hungry, so they come with remarkable specs. They are listed below:
- Solid processor
- Powerful GPU
- A large amount of RAM
- Good cooling system
- Large storage capacity
- Backlit keyboard
Let’s see how these specs also suit the programming requirements.
Solid processor: To handle the large processing workloads required for programming, a powerful processor is required. Most gaming laptops include a quad-core or 6-core processor, which are popular among programmers due to their speed and efficiency.
Powerful GPU: When it comes to programming, a fast and dedicated graphics card can make all the difference. A powerful GPU allows you to run multiple programs at the same time without lag or performance slowdown.
This feature alone is worth the price of a gaming laptop!
A large amount of RAM: A large amount of RAM is required to run multiple programs concurrently without lag. Some gaming laptops have up to 32GBs of RAM and plenty of storage space for your programming needs! This feature alone makes these laptops worthwhile!
Good cooling system: Gaming laptops frequently have cooling systems designed specifically for this purpose, as they overheat easily due to their high-power consumption while performing intensive tasks like video editing or playing games at high resolutions on them.
Large storage capacity: A gaming laptop will typically include a large SSD or HDD to store all your programming files and data. This feature is especially useful if you plan to travel a lot because you won’t have to carry your entire programming library with you.
Backlit keyboard: Like gaming enthusiasts, programmers also work late at night. Backlit keyboards offer great ease when there is less light around. It means there is one less thing to focus on and more focus is on writing the code.
Reasons not to use a Gaming laptop for programming
Expensive price tag: There are some added features in the gaming laptops which make them more expensive than basic laptops. Gaming laptops are not cheap, especially if you want one with a good, dedicated graphics card and other features useful for programming tasks.
A gaming laptop costs around $800 on average and can cost up to $4000 depending on the specs and brand of the machine. For example, if you want to buy a laptop for coding and want to spend around $500 – 600 dollars, you can easily find a good coding laptop.
However, when it comes to buying a gaming machine in the same price range, it is difficult to find such machines that meet your needs.
Short battery life: Gaming laptops have a shorter battery life than standard laptops. They are less efficient in terms of battery life because they intake a lot of power while playing high-end games.
This causes the laptop’s batteries to drain completely in a matter of hours.
So, if you want to code on your gaming machine, make sure you have an electric socket nearby so that you can charge your laptop whenever needed.
Otherwise, due to the heavy workload, your laptop will run out of power after a while, which can be annoying if you are working on something urgent or important.
Noisy: In terms of fans and other internal components, gaming laptops are typically very loud.
This is since gaming laptops contain high-end hardware that generates a lot of heat, and to remove this heat, laptop manufacturers install powerful cooling fans inside these machines.
So, if you prefer to work quietly on your coding tasks, a gaming laptop is not the best choice due to the amount of noise it generates.
Gaming laptops for programming
The gaming laptops that can be used for programing which do not have battery or noise issues are listed below:
- MSI Katana GF76
- ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16
- Lenovo Legion 7i
Bottom line
Leaving aside the disadvantages, it is possible to conclude that a gaming laptop is suitable for programming. Some may argue that you do not need a powerful laptop to program.
It is also stated that gaming and programming with a laptop are two distinct activities and that playing high-resolution online games necessitates the use of a laptop outfitted with advanced features.
They will also tell you that a basic laptop is sufficient for programming.
However, this is only true if you only need it for basic programming. However, if you require more power and features for rigorous programming and powerful graphics work, a gaming laptop is the way to go.
It makes all the difference to have the right tools. So, if you can manage it, it is highly recommended to invest in a high-end gaming laptop. It will undoubtedly be useful when working on large projects or attempting to solve difficult problems.