The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is the newest Intel-powered workstation in Lenovo’s P-series, delivering strong performance, long battery life, and reliable Nvidia RTX Ada Generation graphics, establishing it as a premium professional option. However, such laptops must carefully balance portability, power, and cost. Although the ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is more budget-friendly than some high-end workstation models, it is still relatively expensive for typical users.

Workstations are thoughtfully crafted to support 3D designers, video editors, scientists, and data analysts in their creative and research pursuits. They strike a friendly balance between powerful processing capabilities needed for complex tasks and portability, much like how gaming laptops find the right trade-offs for performance on the go.

ThinkPad P1: Specs

	Base Configuration	Reviewed Configuration
Price	$2,699	$4,059
Processor	Intel Core Ultra 7 165H vPro Processor	Intel Core Ultra 9 185H vPro Processor
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU	NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
RAM	32GB	64GB
Storage	1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4	2 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4
Display	16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS Anti-Glare (non-touch)	16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS Anti-Glare (Touch)
Battery time (HH:MM)	17:23	17:23
Dimensions	13.95 x 9.49 x 0.67 inches	13.95 x 9.49 x 0.67 inches
Weight	4.3 Pounds	4.3 Pounds
Operating System	Windows 11 Pro 64	Windows 11 Pro 64

ThinkPad P1: Design

Lenovo ThinkPad laptops share numerous design characteristics, including the matte black and red color scheme and the TrackPoint pointing stick located centrally among the G, H, and B keys on the keyboard.

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 introduces some thoughtful updates, replacing the traditional keyboard buttons with a sleek, modern design and adding a notch bezel at the top of the lid to comfortably accommodate the webcam. This way, it maintains a spacious screen for an improved viewing experience.

These gentle updates to the ThinkPad’s design give it a fresher, more modern look compared to some others in the same series. The only minor thing is that the matte black chassis tends to show fingerprints and smudges quite easily, but overall, I’m pretty pleased.

The ThinkPad dimensions are 13.95 x 9.49 x 0.67 inches, and it weighs 4.3 pounds, rendering it sufficiently lightweight and slender to fit conveniently within most backpacks or laptop cases.

In comparison with analogous laptops, the ThinkPad is notably slimmer than the HP ZBook Studio 16 G10, which has dimensions of 14.02 x 9.54 x 0.76 inches and a weight of merely 4.2 pounds. Furthermore, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 exhibits considerably greater bulk and weight, with measurements of 14.3 x 10.5 x 1.2 inches and a mass of 6.6 pounds. 

ThinkPad P1: Ports

This device offers a helpful variety of I/O ports to meet your needs! On the left, you’ll find two Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI 2.1 video output, and a 3.5mm audio jack, plus a proprietary Slim tip connector for DC power. On the right side, there’s a third Type-C port equipped with a speedy 10Gbps transfer rate that also supports DP Alt Mode video, along with a 5Gbps USB-A port, and an SD card reader. It’s designed to give you versatile connectivity options for all your devices!

Feel free to use any of the Type-C ports to charge your P1.. Our 100W PC charger functioned flawlessly; however, the 65W unit triggered a “slow charger’ alert.

ThinkPad P1: Display

The P1 Gen 7 provides three display options to accommodate various preferences: a 1,920 x 1,200 60Hz IPS screen, a 2,560 x 1,600 165Hz display, and a 3,840 x 2,400 60Hz OLED touchscreen that is visually striking. 

The laptop’s WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200) IPS display truly impressed, showcasing crisp and precise details in the interior courtroom scenes and the night shots outside. The neon-lit bar scene added a vibrant pop of color, beautifully contrasting with the trailer’s generally muted palette.

If you require a laptop for intensive creative tasks, the wide-gamut OLED model is assuredly the top option. For most other activities, the 165Hz IPS panel performs adequately. The high refresh rate of 165Hz offers notable advantages when scrolling through text or data, delivering smoother motion compared to a 60Hz display.

ThinkPad P1: Keyboard and Touchpad

Like many modern Windows laptops, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 features a convenient backlit keyboard that includes a Copilot key, making it quick and easy to access Microsoft’s AI assistant whenever you need it.. Additionally, the keyboard consists of the customary ThinkPad TrackPoint pointing stick positioned between the G, H, and B keys. It offers a well-balanced activation point with slight tactile feedback, delivering an enjoyable typing experience.

The ThinkPad P1’s trackpad includes dual-function haptic feedback for cursor movement or launching the TrackPoint Quick Menu. It has no physical buttons and uses gesture controls for different clicking functions. Measuring 5.5 by 3.5 inches, the touchpad is spacious enough for accurate control, reducing the need for an external mouse.

ThinkPad P1: Performance

Workstations typically require greater raw computing power than most laptops, and the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is a prime example. Equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 165H processor, 1TB SSD, and 32GB of RAM, it handled my daily tasks effortlessly. Whether I was casually using Photoshop or managing around 20 Chrome tabs, the ThinkPad performed smoothly. It also easily managed my recent travel photo and video editing projects.

The ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 also delivered strong results in our lab’s benchmarks. On Geekbench 6, it averaged 2,424 in single-core and 12,970 in multi-core tests. In comparison, the HP ZBook Studio 16 G10, which features an Intel Core i9-13900H processor, achieved impressive performance scores of 2,791 in single-core and 14,532 in multi-core tests.

Laptops	Handbrake Time
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7	4:22
HP ZBook Studio 16 G10	4:37
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1	3:44
HP ZBook Fury 16 G9	4:29

Meanwhile, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 effectively handled the Handbrake video test, converting the 4K version of “Tears of Steel” to 1080p in just 4 minutes and 22 seconds. Proudly, the ThinkPad P16 was even quicker at 3:44. The ZBook Fury and ZBook Studio followed closely behind, taking 4:29 and 4:37, respectively, slightly behind the ThinkPad P1.

ThinkPad P1: Gaming Performance

Workstation laptops are not commonly utilized for gaming purposes, despite often possessing specifications comparable to high-end gaming systems. Although the majority of users can typically operate a gaming laptop as a workstation, actual workstations are engineered explicitly for individuals who require GPUs optimized for advanced 3D rendering, data set analysis.

ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 features NVIDIA RTX 1000 Ada, which is not compatible for gaming. While it’s possible to play games on a workstation laptop like this, keep in mind that the GPU architecture and drivers are primarily built for other tasks, so your gaming experience might not be as smooth as with a dedicated gaming setup.

We conducted practical testing of the game using Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm, utilizing the graphics benchmark at medium settings with a resolution of 1080p. The ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 performed admirably in this real-world graphics assessment, achieving an average frame rate of 152 frames per second (fps).

ThinkPad P1: Verdict

While it might not be the most powerful workstation we’ve ever featured at Laptop Mag, the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 offers plenty of power and performance. It’s well-equipped to handle tasks like photo and video editing, 3D rendering, or heavy data analysis — exactly what you’d expect from a reliable workstation. Plus, with a relatively affordable starting price, it’s a great deal, especially when upgraded with a better processor, GPU, memory, and storage.

The ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is designed to impress with its remarkable battery life of 17 hours and 23 minutes, making it an excellent choice for users on the go. Its sleek and lightweight design enhances portability, while the loud, high-quality audio ensures an enjoyable multimedia experience. Additionally, the inclusion of various ports caters to diverse connectivity needs, and the comfortable keyboard contributes to an overall productive user experience.

Although the display of the ThinkPad P1 could benefit from increased vibrancy, our review unit was equipped with the standard IPS panel. Consequently, the OLED option would unquestionably be superior for users requiring a highly color-accurate display.

Asus demonstrates excellence in innovation, positioning its premier laptops among my most favoured in the industry. However, not all consumers wish to or need to expenditure over $1,000 on a high-end device. This is the rationale behind the availability of the Asus Vivobook 16 (2025).

The Vivobook 16, priced at $899, delivers satisfactory performance thanks to its recent Snapdragon X1-26-100 processor, offers extended battery life, features a responsive touchpad, and boasts a large display suitable for a budget laptop.

Regrettably, it will be necessary to accept a compromise regarding the display quality, which is an anticipated outcome; however, the keyboard proves to be unsatisfactory.

VivoBook 16: Specs

	ASUS VivoBook 16 (2025)
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100
GPU	Qualcomm Adreno
RAM	16GB
Storage	512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD
Display	16-inch, 1920 x 1200, 60Hz, 16:10
Ports	2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A2x USB 4.0 Gen 3 Type-C with support for display and power delivery (data speed up to 40Gbps)1x HDMI 2.1 TMDS1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
Dimension	14.06 x 9.87 x 0.70~0.78 inches
Weight	4.15 Pounds
Price	$899

VivoBook 16: Design

I am concerned about budget laptops, as they frequently exhibit a tacky or cumbersome appearance. However, the Asus Vivobook 16 presents a clean design. While it may not be considered stylish per se, its dark blue chassis with smooth curves enables it to blend seamlessly into most environments. The lid is stamped with a simple yet elegant silver Asus Vivobook logo.

There shouldn’t be a question about durability, despite it being a budget laptop. Asus tested it against the MIL-STD 810H military standards, which account for drops, extreme temperatures, and other environmental conditions.

The interior is more of the same, sporting a clean dark blue colourway all around, contrasted with a black keyboard and a wide touchpad. Meanwhile, the bezels on the display are pretty thin and feature a dotted texture all around. There’s also a webcam on top with a privacy shutter.

Weighing in at 4.14 pounds and measuring 14.06 x 9.87 x 0.70~0.78 inches, the Asus Vivobook 16 is a bit heavier and bulkier compared to premium ultrabooks. But don’t worry — it’s still very portable and easily fits in most laptop bags, making it a convenient choice for on-the-go use. 

VivoBook 16: Battery Life

A significant shortcoming of a budget laptop would be its failure to sustain adequate battery life; I had concerns regarding this aspect with the Vivobook. However, it performed exceptionally well, attributable to its Qualcomm Snapdragon X chipset.

During the battery assessment, conducted through continuous web browsing over Wi-Fi at a brightness level of 150 nits, the Vivobook achieved a duration of 14 hours and 6 minutes. This performance surpasses that of both the Samsung and Lenovo devices, though it remains approximately 8 minutes behind the Acer model.

VivoBook 16: Display

Regrettably, one of the limited concessions associated with a budget laptop pertains to the display. The Vivobook’s 16-inch, 1920 x 1200, 60Hz, 16:10 display exemplifies this exception.

I recently watched the new Lilo & Stitch trailer, and I couldn’t help but notice that Stitch’s blue fur looked somewhat flat on screen, almost like he was a character from the original film’s time. The shadows in Lilo’s room were a bit dark, making it a little tricky to see the items on her shelves clearly. During noon, though, the sunlight is bright enough to beautifully highlight the strands of hair on her head, making everything so much clearer.

The Vivobook achieved 48% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and a brightness of 305 nits, which is approximately comparable to that of Acer and Lenovo. However, Samsung demonstrated higher colour coverage than most premium laptops.

VivoBook 16: Keyboard and Touchpad

My fingers examined every key on the Asus Vivobook 16 and found them to be somewhat soft and lacking in firmness. While acceptable for a budget-oriented laptop, if your primary intention is to type extensively throughout the day, it may be prudent to consider an alternative option.

I achieved a typing speed of 79 words per minute on the 10fastfingers.com typing test, which is slightly below my average of 81 words per minute. The keys are reasonably spaced, although I remain concerned by the sensation of softness when pressing them. The 3.5 x 5.3-inch touchpad is unexpectedly smooth and produces a bassy click, exceeding my expectations for a budget laptop, thus representing a noteworthy advantage.

VivoBook 16: Performance

The Asus Vivobook 16 is equipped with the entry-level Snapdragon X chipset, designated as the X1-26-100. It offers limited processing power, precluding the possibility of undertaking resource-intensive tasks. While the 16GB of RAM provides some assistance, my personal evaluation was unimpressive.

I had three tabs open when Microsoft Edge slowed down so much that I had to force quit it. But after that, I reopened a few dozen tabs and some YouTube videos, and everything ran smoothly without much slowdown. So, it looks like it’s generally fine for your regular web browsing.

It also featured a fast SSD, with performance just about 150 MB/S slower than the Aspire 14. After watching a 15-minute video, its hottest temperature reached 93°f. The temperature sensor was positioned between the F10 and F11 keys, a less-than-ideal location for monitoring temperature, but it kept the device at a comfortable temperature.

ASUS VivoBook 16: Gaming

It is probably unnecessary to state this explicitly, but I will do so nonetheless: refrain from attempting to engage in gaming on the Asus Vivobook 16. The Qualcomm Adreno integrated GPU underperforms, and the ARM architecture substantially restricts the range of compatible games, as I discovered while gaming on the Surface Laptop 7.

The device achieved only 17 frames per second on the Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm benchmark (Medium, 1080p). The minimum requirement for playable performance is 30 frames per second (fps). The IdeaPad Flex 5’s Intel Iris Xe Graphics did not perform better, and the Galaxy’s Intel Graphics was unable to run the game altogether due to its Chromebook status.

Nevertheless, if gaming is desired, the Aspire 14 achieved a playable frame rate of 54 fps during testing.

VivoBook 16: AI features

With a Vivobook’s Snapdragon X chipset, you enjoy the popular AI features of a Copilot+ laptop. These include Recall, which helps you revisit your PC history, Live Captions for real-time subtitles, and Cocreator, your creative art generator.

There are additionally two artificial intelligence features branded by Asus, specifically the AI Audio settings within the MyAsus application. These features allow users to calibrate noise-cancellation functionalities for both the speakers and the microphone.

VivoBook 16: Verdict 

The Asus Vivobook 16 (2025) provides satisfactory performance, extended battery longevity, a responsive touchpad, and a large display. While I am not entirely enamoured with the Vivobook 16, it remains a reliable Windows 11 laptop. The principal concern at present pertains to its pricing.

The Acer Aspire 14 AI is more affordable and provides a tactile keyboard along with slightly extended battery longevity.

Nevertheless, should a 16-inch budget laptop be your preference, the Vivobook 16 constitutes a suitable option.

If you’re looking for the best laptop for programming, we can help you find the perfect one. However, first, let me explain what features in a computer make it compatible for programming. Firstly, you need a sufficient amount of RAM (minimum 16 GB), a powerful CPU that allows you to compile your code faster, and a clear screen view. The resolution is also beneficial for your eyes and your code readability. A good keyboard is essential for a programmer, and a long battery life is also a significant factor.

This article features top-pick laptops that meet all the requirements necessary for programming compatibility. We have selected one laptop from each category based on budget to make it compatible for everyone who can afford it.

Quick List

Best Overall laptop for Programming

Apple Macbook Pro 14(2024)

The Best MacBook for Programmers

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Specs

Storage: 1TB

Price: $1,899

CPU: Apple M4

GPU: Apple M4

RAM: 16Gb

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2024) is widely regarded as the best laptop for programming. It comes with a high amount of processor power that compiles code faster. The 2024 model features several major upgrades over its predecessor, the M3, and offers a peak brightness of 1000 cd/m² in SDR. 

This machine is one of the favorites among programmers due to its high speed, brightness, and typing experience. But its one drawback is its average display size. If you want a big display MacBook, then you can go for the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2024). It is also a big device that is compatible with programming.

If we go for the best laptop for programming in Windows, our recommendation is the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 (2024). It is configurable with Intel Meteor Lake CPUs, up to a Core Ultra 9 185H. It comes with integrated graphics or a NVIDIA discrete GPU, so you don’t have to pay extra for graphics. One advantage of this over the MacBook Pro 14 is that you can upgrade RAM and Storage after purchase.  All its features made it the best laptop for programming.

Read the full review of the Apple MacBook Pro 14.

Upper Mid-Range: Best Laptop for Programming

Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4, 2025 )

The New MacBook Air for Programmers

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Specs

Storage: 512 SSD

Price: $1,399

Processor: Apple M4 (10-core CPU, 16-core Neural Engine)

Graphics:10-core GPU on M4

RAM:16GB memory

If you don’t need a high-power machine like the Apple MacBook Pro 14, then this will be your best choice. This machine features a 15-inch display and offers good battery life, allowing it to run for a typical day. It features a 60Hz display that is not as impressive as the MacBook Pro’s mini LED, but it is still acceptable.

The Mac Pro 14’s speed in compiling code is sufficient for programmers, and its quiet fans don’t disrupt your work. Its main drawback is its limited port count, which comes with only two USB ports. If you work with multiple attached devices, this may cause you trouble. Otherwise, this device is suitable for programmers.

You can opt for the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th edition 15 (2024) on the Windows side. This laptop features a 15-inch display and a 120Hz touch screen, which is quite impressive. One important Thing to know about this laptop is that it uses an ARM-based SoC, the Snapdragon X Elite. This chip is capable of performing tasks, but many programmers lack support for Windows on ARM, so it may not run all programs.

Read the full review of the Apple MacBook Air 15.

Best Mid-range Laptop for programming

Acer Swift Go 14 (2024)

The Best Windows Laptop for Programming

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Specs

• Price: $1,099
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100
• GPU: Qualcomm Adreno X1-45
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 1TB SSD

If you’re looking for an affordable laptop, consider the Acer Swift Go 14 (2024). This is a thin, lightweight option that’s best suited for productivity, and it also provides a great user experience without the high prices of other brands.

 It comes with the latest Intel Meteor Lake CPUs, which are powerful enough to handle tasks like text processing, web browsing, and presentations. You can upgrade to up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. If you are not compatible with these specifications, then this laptop can’t give you more.

Its build quality is excellent, although not as uncompromising as that of an Apple MacBook Pro 15 (2024), it is still good. You can choose between FHD+IPS or 2.8K OLED. Both displays are sharp and bright enough to work efficiently in any indoor lighting conditions, but the OLED display offers better color reproduction and a more immersive visual experience. However, keep in mind that it may drain more battery than the FHD display.

It provides you with 6E Wi-Fi wireless connectivity, a 1080p webcam, and enough ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB ports, and HDMI. It gave you a battery life of 11 hours during normal usage and charged via USB-C.

Read the full review of the Acer Swift Go 14.

Best Budget laptop for programming

ASUS VivoBook 16 M1605(2023)

The Best Budget Laptop for Programmers

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Specs

• Price: $899
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100
• GPU: Qualcomm Adreno
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 512GB SSD

The best laptop in the budget laptop category is considered to be the ASUS VivoBook 16 M1605(2023). This laptop is based on an AMD system with an old Zen 3 processor. It is not as fast as mentioned above, but it still gets your job done until your work is not too complex.

This laptop features a good keyboard, a large touchpad, and a fingerprint sensor for quick login. Its battery can last for up to 7-8 hours of light use. If you work long hours, then you have to plug it in and use it. It comes with a maximum of 16GB RAM, which is rare due to the old model, but thanks to its upgradable option, you can extend its RAM and Storage options to your preference.

It has some drawbacks. First, it has a brightness of 250cd/m², which is suitable for most indoor lighting conditions, but in outdoor conditions, it may cause issues for you. Second, it has only one USB-C port and no video output port. That means you have to use only the HDMI port to connect to the external monitor. Lastly, the quality of the webcam is not very good, but it is compatible for video calling.

Read the full review of the ASUS VivoBook 16.

Low-budget Laptop for programming

HP Victus 15

The Best Low-end Laptop for Programmers

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Specs

• Price: $799
• Processor: Intel Core i5-12450H
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
• RAM:8GB DDR4-3200 RAM
• Storage:512GB PCIe NVMe SSD

Programming on a PC can be expensive, even with entry-level hardware. The HP Victus 15 provides an affordable option at $799. It comes with modest specs, including an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU and an Intel Core i5-12450H processor. The laptop features a 15.6-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Its sleek design makes it suitable for any environment.

The HP Victus 15 provides substantial value for its $799 price point. As one of the top programming laptops under $1,500—primarily if you aim to stay well below that—it is equipped with an i5-12450H CPU that offers comparable productivity performance to its competitors. However, it features an older GTX 1650 GPU. 

However, to obtain a good programming laptop at this price point, certain compromises are necessary. The display falls short of expectations, and features such as the webcam and speakers could see enhancements.

Read the full review of the HP Victus 15.

Verdict

These are our recommendations about the best laptop for programming. We divide these laptops by price factor. If you have no issue with the price, then you can easily go for the MacBook Pro 14 or the latest MacBook. MacBooks are the first choice for programmers because of their high speed and power. 

If you have no budget issues but love Windows laptops, then you can easily opt for the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7, a high-performance machine based on the Windows operating system. 

If you have a Low budget, then you can go for the other options mentioned above. These machines are also suitable for programming. These are compatible with you for a short period, and you will need to upgrade to higher models in the future.