Are HP laptops good for programming? – [Strengths and Weaknesses]

HP is one of the top brands of manufacturing laptops. For sure, their laptops are of good quality and reliable- that’s the reason why they are popular these days.

But when it comes to choosing a laptop for programming.

There are certain specs you should care about the most. Like, display quality, comfortable keyboard, long-battery life, and of course powerful processor.

Speaking of HP laptops for programming. It depends on the specs of laptop, budget and your preference.

For instance, HP omen and victus laptops are designed for for gamer but you can also use it for programming.

However, if your preference lies in a convertiable laptop then HP envy x360 laptop is what you need.

Lastly, HP pavilion and Elitebooks both are good for professional use, such as programming but still it depends on the specs of the specific laptop.

Are HP laptops good for programming?

Yes, HP laptops are a reliable and suitable choice for programming. Based on personal experience with HP laptops, they are well-built and offer excellent price-to-performance ratios.

HP laptops come with powerful processors, ample RAM, and fast storage, which are essential for programming tasks. Additionally, HP offers a variety of laptop sizes and form factors to accommodate different programming needs.

However, when it comes to performance. It depends on which HP laptop you are talking about- or which series.

HP Laptop Series for Programming

Here are some of the HP laptop series that are suitable for programming:

  • HP Spectre Series: Offers premium designs, high-quality displays, and powerful performance, ideal for demanding programming tasks.
  • HP Envy Series: Balances performance and affordability, suitable for everyday programming tasks.
  • HP Pavilion Series: A budget-friendly option with decent performance and features for basic programming tasks.
  • HP ProBook Series: Designed for business users who need reliable performance, security, and manageability.
  • HP EliteBook Series: Offers advanced features like military-grade durability, advanced security features, and high-quality displays.
  • HP Omen Series: Designed for gaming but can also be suitable for programmers who require high-end graphics cards and displays for tasks like machine learning and data analysis.

What are some Best HP laptops for programming?

HP 840 G3 Laptop– If you are on a tight budget, buy yourself this 14-inch HP elitebook, it’s high on sell right now as refurbishd laptop. Comes with 16GB of RAM for multitasking. Intel i5 for faster CPU performance, a nice keyboard with good key-travel distance.

HP Pavilion 15 Laptop– This laptop from HP pavilion series is also popular among programmers. I also use it for C++ programming. Keyboard is nice, design is thin which makes it portable. Perfect for professional programmers- Thanks to the 11th Gen Intel Core i7, it runs faster. Plus16GB RAM and 512 GB SSD ensures that it has the power you need.

HP Pavilion x360 Is for for programming students, thanks to the convertiable nature. It’s ideal for taking notes, using as a tablet mode- or when it comes to promming. This 14-inch Laptop is packed up with the 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 processsor, and 8GB of RAM which is enough if you are not a professional programmer.

Reasons Why HP Laptops Are Good for Programming

HP stands as the core foundation of the laptop industry; however, many of us still don’t seem to comprehend what makes them the best. Some of the unique things about HP laptops that programmers might find convenient are;

1)   Reasonable processors

Processing power is always a crucial factor for those who plan on doing any sort of coding-related work. A powerful CPU ensures that your code can be compiled in a timely and efficient manner. Luckily, HP offers laptops with next to decent CPUs.

Even their budget-oriented notebooks have an i3 installed so that system lag can be minimal. Furthermore, they mostly rely on Intel in terms of processors. This means that your multi-core performance will be totally relevant.

2)   Sharp Displays

If you are in the market for a coding laptop, then you might give HP a chance and that’s because of their quality displays. HP as a brand has always produced superior laptops; some of its success is reflected in its display panels.

They offer a decent chunk of screen real estate ranging from 13, 14, and 15inch, each of which is sharp and clear. As a programmer, you want to be able to see small lines of code without squinting, and these laptops do a great job of enabling that.   

3)   Exceptional Keyboard

Buying a good keyboard is just as crucial as getting a good display because much of your programming work will be dependent on typing. Fortunately, HP laptops are packed with high-quality membrane keyboards, making your overall journey quite fun.

Their keys are stable with decent feedback that will greatly improve your typing speed. Not to mention the accuracy, which is on par with some of the best machines on the market. Just do yourself a favor and stay away from their gaming lineup, as it can get quite hectic to code on those.

4)   Durable & Lightweight

Modern computers are made with portability in mind, and as a programmer, you definitely want that. Because of this, brands like HP and ASUS actually care about how their laptops are put together, and this is seen in their popular lineup.

The majority of their laptops are configured with an aluminum body, which makes the whole thing quite durable.

Similarly, they use lightweight components in their assembly to ensure that you can carry it around without feeling overwhelmed. So, if an ultra-lightweight and portable machine is what you desire, there is no better thing than HP.  

5)   Superior Battery

Another thing that actually matters for software developers and programmers is battery performance. No one wants their work delayed or the machine shut down in the middle of testing.

That’s why getting a portable laptop or MacBook is advised, which offers decent battery backup. Thankfully, HP laptops are power efficient and can get you going in no time.

Enjoy a seamless experience with these machines as, on average, they can usually last 8-9hours on a single charge. On top of that, some of their latest-gen models even come up with fast charging technology. This means you won’t have to wait hours on end before the laptop is fully charged.

6)   Affordable

Compared to your average programming laptop, HP is quite cheap. Even their i3 machines go anywhere for 200-300$ on Amazon, which is kind of amazing. You see, as a beginning developer, you want a laptop that’s not only durable but also easy on your wallet.

This is why HP laptops truly excel. Sadly, the same can’t be true for their gaming lineup. So, until and unless you’re doing virtual machine learning, it’s best to stick to their business laptops.   

7)   Competent customer service

And lastly, HP offers some of the best customer services in the business. No matter where you are in the world, their qualified support team is available to answer your queries.

Even if some sort of repair is required, you will be able to get better guidance. As a programmer, you’re constantly trying to improve your skillset so having competent customer service is always a bonus.

Reasons Why HP Laptops Are Substandard for Programming

Although HP laptops are a better choice for programmers, a couple of downsides still need to be addressed. These include;

1)   Overheating

First and foremost, the majority of HP laptops have a poor cooling solution which is why things like overheating are quite common. This is bad for programmers as it can deteriorate the battery faster and lead to many performance issues. Sure, their business series can work on cooling, but once you go for their budget options, overheating becomes prominent.

2)   Poor touchpad

Unlike Microsoft, HP is not well-known for its solid touchpad support. This means using their built-in touchpads feels nauseating and imprecise. Of course, this won’t be a big problem for those who primarily use an external mouse. But many who like to keep their setup clean will have to look elsewhere altogether.

3)   Unsecure

Security is another reason why HP laptops can be a bad pick. Even their business series machines lack a fingerprint login, which is devastating. Not to mention their software security which is a prime target for many kinds of malware. Although HP is now trying to amp up its security, it’s still a long haul.

4)   Hardware failure

Hardware failure can be quite common in HP laptops, which is why they are considered unreliable. There is a chance that your machine can fail on you in the middle of your project, and no one wants that. Oh, did I mention that these laptops come with tons of bloatware that can further sideline your performance?

5)   Mediocre Graphics

Laptops produced by HP, especially their product lineup, also lack better graphics. Sure, you will receive integrated Intel graphics, but these tend to perform quite poorly when you’re doing any machine learning or game design. So, the moral of the story is for good graphics; please stick with ASUS.

All in all, these were some of my thoughts on HP laptops and their role in programming. Even though HP has its own shortcomings, I continue to feel that they manufacture high-quality laptops. So, whether you are a Python programmer or a full-stack developer, I advise you to give their products a try. If you are still feeling dissatisfied, then your next option is in the form of ASUS.

Final Verdict

Written by

Haris is an undergrad student who is enthusiastic about writing, especially writing about tech-related stuff. His main goal is to provide friendly as well as easily digestible content for his viewers.

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