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Are you going to study computer science in college soon? Thinking of getting a new laptop for programming in college? If so, you have come to the right place!

This blog post will give you the best laptop for computer science students. We will be discussing what makes these laptops great for students and what each one has to offer.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

What is The Best Laptop for Computer Science Students?

Here are some of the best laptops to offer for a computer science student:

Let’s explore each of them further.

1. M2 Apple Macbook Pro 2023

Best Laptop for Computer Science Students

Overview:

First up, a good choice to start would be the M2 Apple Macbook Pro 2023. Built and designed by Apple, you will be sure that this will provide strong processing power when running heavy code while developing programs for schoolwork.

Running on the MacOS operating system, this device is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to run their applications with ease due to its good software integrations.

Moreover, with the Apple M2 Silicon processor and 16GB RAM, you can be sure that your requests will be handled with utmost efficiency.

Technical Specifications:

  • Processor: Apple M2 Pro chip
  • RAM: 16GB (upgradable up to 96GB)
  • Storage: 512GB SSD (upgradable to 8TB)
  • Battery Life: Up to 22 hours of media usage

Unique Features:

  • Fast and powerful processor (Powered by Apple’s Silicon M2 processor)
  • Strong and long-lasting battery life
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Reliable build quality

My Take:

The M2 Apple Macbook Pro is one of the best laptops for computer science work from college all the way to software/computer science engineering. It simply can’t compare to just using a tablet for programming.

What I really like about the Macbook Pro is its reliability and ability to handle any heavy processing tasks given. This makes it a good choice for students who want a reliable machine to code for all types of applications.

Moreover, having that extra battery life would be useful for students who need to get around places on the campus without having the need to bring along a charger/adapter.

The only downside would be that the laptop is pretty heavy and is not suitable for those who prefer a sleek and light computer.

However, if you use it as a desktop replacement, then the weight won’t matter to you. You’ll just need to get an external monitor and keyboard for a better programming experience.

2. Legion 5 Gen 7 (17″ AMD) Gaming Laptop

Lenovo legion 5

Overview:

Up next on this list is something that I personally own myself – the Legion 5 Gaming Laptop!

Here’s why this laptop made the list: It’s really affordable for the amount of good processing power you’ll get from this machine.

Don’t let the gaming laptop label fool you. It’s a great laptop that has a concealed look that can easily pass off as a work laptop.

Of course, you’ll be treated to great processing power due to its new Gen 6 series, which includes the AMD Ryzen™ 5 5600H Processor (upgradable to the 5800H version).

These days, having an Intel Core i7 isn’t good enough, and getting a laptop with an AMD processor is key to running software engineering tasks.

The high SSD storage space on this laptop makes it an excellent choice for reading, writing, and organizing files on your disk.

Technical Specifications:

  • Operating System: Windows 11 Home/Windows 11 Pro
  • CPU: AMD Ryzen™ 7 6800H Processor
  • Dedicated GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX™ 3060 6GB
  • RAM: 64 GB DDR5 RAM
  • Storage: 2TB PCIe SSD
  • Battery Life: Up to 8 hours

Unique Features:

  • Fast AMD CPU
  • 165Hz high refresh rate screen
  • It can also be used for gaming
  • High SSD storage
  • Uses WiFi 6E for high-speed internet
  • Sleek design

My Take: 

The Legion 5 Gaming Laptop is the best overall laptop for CS students.

As I’ve had the chance to test it out as my personal laptop, I’ve found it amazing for running programs and compiling files in my IDE. I love it so much, I even gave it a computer name, Levi.

I personally found it to be able to run smoothly while running multiple programs on it. This would make for an excellent choice for students who need to keep their browsers, school documents, presentations, and IDEs open at the same time.

Moreover, I found the battery life to be quite decent, with it lasting up to 8 hours of continuous usage. The sleek design is great for those who want a powerful Windows laptop without it looking like a gaming device.

3. M2 Apple Macbook Air 2022

apple macbook air laptop

Overview:

Any Apple device would make for a good computer science laptop. That includes the M2 Apple Macbook Air (2022) too!

This laptop was first released in 2022, with the M2 processing chip, which is known for its highly-optimized integrations with MacOS and its operations.

This means that compiling code on this machine is going to be a breeze and you can expect it to work well with most IDEs.

Technical Specifications:

  • Operating System: macOS Big Sur
  • CPU: Apple M2 chip with 8-core CPU
  • GPU: Apple M2 chip with 10-core CPU
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 512GB SSD

Unique Features:

  • New M2 Apple silicon chip
  • Trusted laptop brand
  • Reliable macOS
  • Long battery life
  • Sleek design
  • Lightweight

My Take:

Designed for Mac, the M2 MacBook Air is a great laptop if you’re willing to spend a bit more.

I personally use this laptop for most of my work, and I can safely say that I love the multi-tasking features of this laptop. It also is really lightweight, which would make a great choice for computer science students on the move.

The laptop’s battery life has been amazing for me to code and work on my computer on the go too.

4. Dell Inspiron 14

Overview:

Up next, we have our most budget-friendly basic laptop: the Dell Inspiron 15!

This is for all the students on a budget that still want good performance in programming.

It comes with an Intel Core i5 Processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD storage, which should be more than enough for most scripting. Plus, it has a large 15.6″ FHD Touchscreen for easy navigation.

Key Features:

  • Budget-friendly
  • Touchscreen display (good for navigating documentation)
  • Powerful RAM and SSD
  • A large screen at 15.6.”
  • Extremely lightweight (3.70 lbs/1.67kg)

Technical Specifications:

  • Intel Core i5 Processor 
  • 16GB RAM 
  • 512GB SSD storage  
  • Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  • 15.6″ FHD Touchscreen display 

My Take:

The Dell Inspiron 15 has a good balance between budget, performance, and portability.

The larger 15.6″ FHD Touchscreen is also excellent for navigation and makes scrolling through documentation easier.

Plus, the powerful RAM and SSD should be enough to handle most heavy compiling work you’ll encounter in many computer science courses without any problems.

Overall, the Dell Inspiron 15 is a great budget-friendly option that most computer science students should get!

Plus, when it comes to affordability and reliability, a Dell laptop never disappoints!

5. ASUS ROG Strix G17

Overview:

Another good choice among common computer science laptops is the ASUS ROG Strix G17.

Originally made for gaming, this laptop is definitely able to pack a punch with its processing power. This makes it better to run heavy-duty computer graphics for game programming, web programming, and backend development.

Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H 8-Core, you’ll be sure to have better processing speeds compared to the Intel Core i7 laptops.

Technical Specifications:

  • Operating System: Windows 11 Home
  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4800H 8-Core
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6
  • RAM: 16GB (upgradable to 64GB)
  • Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
  • Battery Life: Up to 6 hours

Unique Features:

  • Fast processor
  • Can also be used for gaming
  • High SSD storage
  • Wi-Fi 6 Supported

My Take:

The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is a reliable laptop for computer science tasks. It’s powerful enough for running any heavy IDEs, has a lot of storage space, and has decent battery life.

However, it can be quite expensive since it is a gaming laptop as well.

If you’re looking for a powerful and durable laptop that can handle any tasks you throw at it, the ASUS ROG Strix G17 is a great choice.

However, if you’re on a budget, you might want to have a look at the Dell Inspiron 15 instead.

Related Questions

What are the laptop requirements for a computer science student?

Generally, a laptop with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and at least 256GB SSD storage is recommended for basic tasks such as web development or machine learning.

For more intense tasks such as game development or virtual reality programming, you will need a laptop with a more powerful CPU and GPU, as well as ample RAM and storage.

Ultimately, the laptop requirements for computer science students vary depending on the type of programming you plan to do.

Another requirement you have to consider is the operating systems needed for your computer science program. If your computer science classes require you to only use Windows, then a Macbook that runs MacOS will not work for you.

Are gaming laptops good for computer science?

Yes, gaming laptops are good for computer science because they tend to include powerful processors and GPUs that can handle heavy programming tasks even on a portable laptop device.

If you want to build games or work on virtual reality applications, a gaming laptop is the way to go.

However, if you are looking for a laptop to do basic web development or machine learning, then a more budget-friendly option would be better.

What are the best laptops for computer science students on a budget?

The best laptops for computer science students on a budget would be the Dell Inspiron 15 and the ASUS VivoBook 15.

The Dell Inspiron 15 has an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SS storage, making it ideal for basic programming tasks such as web development or machine learning.

What is the best Lenovo laptop for computer science students?

The best Lenovo laptop for computer science students is the Lenovo Legion 5. It is powerful, and it uses an AMD Ryzen™ 5 5600H Processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD. It also features a decent battery life and a sleek design.

Final Thoughts

These are just some of the best laptops for computer science majors that I’ve personally used and tested.

When choosing the right laptop, you should always consider your budget and needs. A more powerful laptop may be needed depending on what type of programming tasks you plan to do.

You’ll have to decide which factors and requirements best fit your requirements. If you need more storage space, then go for one that has a larger SSD or purchase an external drive.

I hope this article has been helpful. Thanks for reading!