Coders are a unique PC demographic. There’s no one-size-fits-all way to shop for them, and they know a lot about technology and how it can enhance their lives. That’s why it simply won’t do to give them a lackluster tech gift and hope for the best. That’s why we hand-picked this selection of versatile, high-performing, and just plain fun HP products that make great gifts for coders and programmers.
Whether you want to go smaller with a docking station or pick up a high-end all-in-one PC, there’s something for everyone on our list. Pick one - or several - of these items, and watch the programmer in your life light up.
Be sure to check out our
HP Holiday Gift Guide for deals on tech gifts and more this season. You’ll find everything from budget-friendly and family gifts to tech stocking stuffers and this year’s top holiday gifts. With our holiday gifts guide, you’re sure to find something for anyone – and at any price point, whether it’s desktops, laptops, printers, PC accessories, gaming gear, and more.
Best gifts for coders and programmers
The best part about these gifts is their versatility. The coder in your life will be able to use their new monitor or laptop when they’re crunching projects on the clock or winding down for the evening with their favorite online game.
As you shop, look for items that come with a one-year warranty (at least) and the option to buy a protection plan to cover accidental damage and wear and tear. Programmers put their tech through the paces, so they’ll love knowing that they won't have to pay much out of pocket to repair their gear. It’s also simply another thoughtful gift to consider!
Whether they work full-time or just code on the side, these top gifts are appropriate for use both on and off the clock.
1. HP E24 G5 FHD Monitor - Best monitor for programmers
You would be hard-pressed to find a coder that doesn’t work with multiple monitors, mostly because it’s just easier to build and troubleshoot with more screen real estate. Whether it’s a second or even third monitor for the programmer on your list, the
HP E24 G5 FHD monitor is a standout pick thanks to its ergonomic stand and HP’s Eye Ease technology. They’ll be able to put in the hours they need to without worrying about unnecessary eye strain.
Eye Ease’s continuous blue light filter makes the viewing experience more comfortable without compromising color accuracy. Plus, the monitor has four adjustability options for personalized viewing, and it delivers a flicker-free experience on its 23.8-inch diagonal screen.
For those concerned about the environment or their electricity bill, the HP E24 offers good news there, too. With its low-halogen technology and 100% recyclable packaging, this ENERGY STAR® certified display also meets EPEAT® 2020 standards for sustainability.
The HP E24 is also loaded with ports, including USB Type-B, DisplayPort™, HDMI, as well as four USB-A slots. It’s a highly usable gift for programmers who need 1920 x 1080 resolution and thoughtful extras to stay comfortable and productive.
2. HP USB-C G5 essential dock - Best laptop docking station for programmers
Getting power when and where you need it most can be challenging, especially for coders who like to bring their own gadgets and accessories to work. The
HP USB-C G5 essential laptop docking station provides seamless connectivity for the devices programmers use most, including laptops, monitors, external drives, and all those Bluetooth accessories. Charge a phone or power up earbuds - the possibilities are endless in this small, modern-looking docking station that takes up less than 5 x 5 inches of space.
It's ultra-compatible and works with most devices through the USB-C or Thunderbolt connections. Plus, the setup process is equally safe, secure, and fast. And its security monitoring features include LAN/WLAN switching, PXE boot, and easy firmware updates.
Ports include 4 USB-A ports, Ethernet, and power to your laptop. And that’s exactly why it’s one of the best gifts for programmers. With one handy device, they can stay on top of their work, charge their devices, and never worry about battery life.
3. HyperX starter PC gaming accessories - Best headset, keyboard, and mouse for programmers
The
HyperX Alloy Core RGB gaming keyboard features colorful lit keys and six lighting presets, as well as five RGB customization key zones. The keys are responsive yet quiet, so they won’t have to worry about that “click-clack” background noise.
The
HyperX Cloud Stinger gaming headset is designed for both comfort and looks. The black and red accents are professional enough to wear to work, and the 90-degree comfort ear cups offer flexibility. And then there’s the DTS® Headphone:X® Spatial Audio, which provides incredible sound for streaming movies on Netflix, competing in Apex Legends, or listening to music at work.
The bundle also comes with the
HyperX Pulsefire Core gaming mouse. It features the Pixart 3327 optical sensor, which supports DPI settings of 6200. With a comfy grip and seven programmable buttons, coders can get up to 20 million clicks from this mouse at home or on the job.
4. HP Victus (16t-r000) gaming laptop - Best laptop for programmers
If you're ready to invest in your favorite coder, why not go all in with one of the newest additions to the HP gaming laptop family? The
HP Victus 16-inch gaming laptop is a low-key powerhouse that weighs just over 5 lbs.
Power through missions and levels, crunch every single bit of data, and then take to the office or on vacation without worrying about extra bulk. It also boasts updated cooling features to keep it from getting too hot in the midst of battle.
It’s a completely customizable gift, too, so you can order the exact tech specs that will delight your gift recipient. And HP makes it easy to find just the right option with three recommended configurations: casual gamer, campaign hero, and eSports pro.
The majority of the specs remain the same across all three, such as the 16GB DDR5-4800 SDRAM, 512GB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD, and the included Windows 11. But you can ramp up the graphics to the NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070 Laptop GPU or dial down the display features to meet their specific needs.
As you shop, you can also choose from three color options - Micah Silver, Ceramic White, and Performance Blue - to match their personality. This HP Victus laptop even comes with a responsive and customizable gaming keyboard, which includes backlit keys for working in low-lighting environments and customizable options for RGB lighting.
5. HP ENVY 34-inch All-in-One - Best desktop PC for programmers
No list of coding gifts is complete with the beefy moonshot present. And on this list, it’s the
HP ENVY 34-inch AiO desktop. This sleek, beautiful PC comes with everything needed for an excellent setup, including an Intel® Core™ i5-12400 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics, and 16GB of DDR5-4000 MHz RAM. It will easily run multiple programs at once and look just as good while doing it.
Remote workers will love the detachable, 16MP magnetic camera that transitions between positions to provide the best view from multiple angles. They’ll also fawn over the display, which is an impressive 34 inches of space to watch videos and edit creative work in brilliant 5K detail. Plus, the 21:9 aspect ratio shows more of the picture without the need to scroll or zoom out.
This HP ENVY All-in-One simplifies gift-giving by also coming with a wireless keyboard and mouse and built-in Bang & Olufsen speakers. Its ports include 2 Thunderbolt 4 with USB4 Type-C, more than 4 SuperSpeed USB Type-A, SuperSpeed USB Type-C, Ethernet, and a headphone/microphone combo.
This is a fully customizable PC, too, so you can adjust the memory, graphics, processing power, and more to make it the truly perfect gift.
How to get the best deals on computer programmer gifts
When you shop with HP, you already have access to notable products at incredible value. The customer support teams and high-quality components ensure you get what you pay for. But if price is a concern, there are many ways to save on the retail price of each of these gifts.
The best way is to stay subscribed to the HP newsletter, which alerts members to great deals on select items at discounts of up to 70% during special savings events. These sales can happen as instant discounts or with special savings codes you can enter at checkout.
Free shipping offers help sweeten the deal and also reduce the amount of driving you have to do for your shopping list. When you factor in gas prices and the chore of going from one shop to the next, your HP gift list will seem more budget-friendly than ever.
Finally, is there anything better than getting the programmer in your life a gift that they will actually use? This may be the best budgeting tip of all. Knowing they’ll love and appreciate your present only increases the value. And if it helps them be more productive and proficient at their job, then that value gets passed on again.
About the Author
Linsey Knerl is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Linsey is a Midwest-based author and public speaker. She has a passion for helping consumers and small business owners do more with their resources via the latest tech solutions.