Finally, deciding which OS you need will sort out your system choices quickly. Our guide to operating systems provides a great overview of features and interface differences, but for programmers the decision is paramount. If you're developing software for iPhone and iPad, then it's a safe bet that you'll want to work on macOS, and that means buying a MacBook Pro. Conversely, if you need Windows, you'll want to stick to laptops running Windows 11. Aside from those two major players, a few programmers may want to do things differently. If you're a Chromebook diehard, you can still work with Microsoft Visual Studio code, Python, and any number of web-based applications. You can also work in Linux on a Chromebook, or buy some of the laptops on our list with Linux instead of Windows. The important thing is to know what sort of work you're going to be doing and what OS is needed to support it.