Last update on 2024-04-12 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Getting a fast and durable laptop is a top priority when you are looking for a good device for programming.
If you have a brand preference for Lenovo because you read somewhere that their laptops are good (and indeed they are), then this article will suit you well.
Is Lenovo good for coding?
Yes, it is. To be fair, mostly any big brand designs laptops good for coding. It has more to do with the model than brand, as you will find thousands of laptops in the market.
What to look for when buying?
You have to decide first about your laptop’s size. Do you care about large screens or are you comfortable with a 13-inch screen? Multitasking can look better on a larger screen, while a compact laptop is easier to carry around.
Now, for the hardware, you should look for at least 8GB of RAM, while 16GB is the optimal place you want to be.
The processor really should start from the Intel Core i5 (any of the latest generations), and for storage, you need to go for SSD (256GB of capacity might be fine if you won’t fill your disk with files).
Is IdeaPad 320 good for programming?
Yes. Some variations of this laptop fit well into what we would recommend you to buy for programming. Since SSD helps your work become faster, go for this option whenever possible.
Check Lenovo ThinkPad For Programming.
Is IdeaPad Slim 5i good for programming?
Yes. This model is a good option for programming because of its combination of RAM, CPU, and SSD storage.
Is IdeaPad Flex 5 good for coding?
It is. It fits well with the minimum requirements you need for coding.
Check Lenovo ThinkPad For Home Use.
4 best Lenovo Ideapad for programming
IdeaPad 3
Last update on 2024-04-12 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Features
Instead of an Intel CPU, some varieties of this model come with a Ryzen 5 CPU. The model we are linking for you is one of them and is an absolute bestseller and top-rated when it comes to reviews.
Its processor is paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD. This isn’t a laptop for you to fill with plenty of files, but rather to focus on the software you need for coding.
It also counts with slim on-screen bezels and Full HD resolution, as well as a good number of ports and HDMI 1.4. The privacy shutter which is a ThinkPad classic is included as well.
Benefits
It has a midrange size with a 14-inch display, meaning it is not too small but also won’t hurt your back to carry around. Its display is Full HD, which is the minimum you should require for any laptop that you will use nowadays.
Drawbacks
Since you are going with Ryzen, the integrated graphics is not very good.
What sets this product apart from its competitors
The use of the Ryzen CPU makes this model a great cost-benefit, so if you are looking for decent performance at a good price, this is the apple of your eye.
Evolution from previous versions
This is the first generation of IdeaPad 3, and because of that, this has a very good price. Newer generations will offer you better hardware, but this is an awesome budget model right now.
IdeaPad 5 (Intel Core i5 variation)
Last update on 2024-04-12 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
There are many variations of this model with different hardware combinations, so perhaps you might find one variation of the Pad 5 that feels more like what you want. However, we believe this one we are linking is great.
Features
It features the 11th generation Intel Core i5, so it is a very fresh processor (in case you don’t know, the 11th gen just came out) made to handle all the most recent applications and languages you will use when coding.
To power up the processor, you will count on 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD. You probably won’t fill those 512GB, but counting with spare room on your disk is always good to keep applications running smoothly.
Benefits
For graphics, it counts with Intel Iris Xe, which is a good series of integrated graphics. You don’t need a dedicated GPU for most programming tasks, but having a nice iGPU allows you to play games in the off-hours.
Drawbacks
There are very few ports on this model, so you will perhaps need a hub or dock to connect many devices (in case you need to do that).
What sets this product apart from its competitors
The anti-glare display is a great feature. If you work in an environment with many sources of light, the anti-glare will help you not get distractions on your screen whatever is the angle from lights.
Evolution from previous versions
The IdeaPad 5 is a recent addition of Lenovo to its IdeaPad family, so the “evolution” is simply its existence. This series combines great performance, good display, and accessible price.
IdeaPad 5 (Ryzen 7 variation)
Last update on 2024-04-12 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
This variation of the IdeaPad 5 is around the same price as the one we showed above. However, it features an AMD processor instead of the Intel Core i5.
Features
The Ryzen 7 that powers this device is said to beat the 10th generation Intel Core i7, so it is a truly powerful processor.
Because of this, choosing between the Ryzen and the Intel version is sort of a matter of taste, considering that both deliver a similar performance.
The amount of SSD storage and RAM you find here are the same as on the above variation: 512GB and 8/16GB, respectively.
Benefits
The processing power of the Ryzen 7 is impressive for coding, making this laptop a model with unmatched cost-benefit.
Drawbacks
The big loss is on graphics, as this model features AMD Radeon Graphics, which is nowhere near the recent Intel Iris Xe.
What sets this product apart from its competitors
The raw power of the Ryzen 7 combined with 16GB of RAM turns this laptop into a powerhouse for anyone looking for a competitively priced laptop.
Evolution from previous versions
Again, the IdeaPad 5 family is a recent addition to Lenovo’s catalog. So, this model’s existence is an evolution in terms of what the brand offers. It is accessible yet delivers amazing performance.
Lenovo IdeaPad L340 17-inch
Last update on 2024-04-12 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Alright, this is a gaming laptop, so you probably won’t want it unless you truly want to make use of its GPU for graphical work or play AAA games. For one, its price is double the above-recommended laptops.
Features
Two features stand out on it that even coders who don’t care much about a gaming laptop will find useful: a backlit keyboard and a large screen.
Moreover, it also counts with 1TB of SSD storage. Do you download a lot of files and want to keep them stored on your laptop? This model allows you to do that.
Benefits
This is a 17-inch laptop with a dedicated GPU. If you are going for some extra visual work, it looks perfect.
Drawbacks
The screen size makes this model very expensive. However, you can pick the 15-inch screen if you care more about hardware than display.
What sets this product apart from its competitors
Gaming laptops are always expensive and you do not always have the guarantee that their parts are durable. With Lenovo, you don’t have to worry about that. Lenovo laptops don’t heat as much as other brands, and their build quality is superior.
Evolution from previous versions
The L340 released in 2021 is the first in the series that features a 17-inch display. This is a great addition for those looking for a gaming laptop with a large screen that doesn’t have a skyrocketing price.
Which Lenovo IdeaPad is best for programming?
Any variation of the IdeaPad 5 is a great piece you can get for programming purposes. Even those with only 8 or 12 GB of RAM will be enough for coding. The price range isn’t very elastic, so you can truly pick whatever model that matches your preferences on a comfortable budget.
Final Thoughts
IdeaPads aren’t usually listed as the most popular laptops for coding, but you can certainly go with one of them. If you already have familiarity with the IdeaPad series and are considering getting one for college, go ahead.
