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:
1. M2 Apple Macbook Pro 2023
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 (Powered by Apple’s latest M2 processor)
- Strong and long-lasting battery life
- Reliable build quality
Price:
My Take:
The M2 Apple Macbook Pro is one of the best laptops for computer science work.
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.
2. Legion 5 Gen 6 (17″ AMD) Gaming Laptop
Overview:
Up next on this list is something that I personally own myself – the Legion 5 Gen 6 (17″ AMD) 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™ 5 5600H Processor
- GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX™ 3050 4GB
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4 3200MHz (upgradable to 16GB)
- Storage: 256 GB PCIe SSD
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
Unique Features:
- Fast AMD CPU
- It can also be used for gaming
- High SSD storage
- Sleek design
Price:
My Take:
The Legion 5 Gen 6 (17″ AMD) Gaming Laptop is the best overall laptop for computer science 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 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
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
- Sleek design
- Lightweight
Price:
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.
4. Dell Inspiron 14
Overview:
Up next, we have our most budget-friendly laptop: the Dell Inspiron 15!
This is for all the students on a budget that still want good performance for 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
- 15.6″ FHD Touchscreen display
Price:
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 without any problems.
Overall, the Dell Inspiron 15 is a great budget-friendly option that most computer science students should get!
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
Price:
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 computer science students?
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.
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.
If you want to build games or work on virtual reality applications, a gaming laptop is a 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 students 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.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which one is the best fit for your requirements.
I hope this article has been helpful. Thanks for reading!
