Hey all,
I’m going to be a Computer Science major and I’m trying to find a laptop that will last me 4 years at college but I don’t know what to pick. I’m trying to keep my budget as small as possible.
These are the only requirements I need in my laptop:
- I want the processor to be intel i7
- I need hard drive space to be 500gb (no less than 500gb)
- I need the memory to be 8 gb
Those are all I think is important but maybe computer savvy people will know more about whats best to have for a CS major.
Keeping the cost in mind, can you guys reccomend or tell me laptops that will fit my requirements?
Thanks a lot!
Well, I’m not going to say anything but…
as a fellow working Computer Science major (previously also a math major), I must say…
that’s helluva overkill specs.
Are you going into graphics? Because last time I checked, CS as a field doesn’t require that much power. In fact, modern day computing makes it possible for even some intel m series chip to work perfectly well.
The most important part about CS (at least personally) is…
- is your laptop portable? You will want to bring it around with you and having a more “ultrabook” laptop with lower specs is MUCCCH more better for your back than a heavy laptop with high specs (which I can guarantee you won’t need that much power).
- is your battery life long? You really want a long battery laptop…
really though…
I think an intel i5 with 4 GB of ram (replacable RAM so you can personally increase it later) and a battery life of at least 8 hours is good enough…with the screen being 13~14 inch and being in the more thin/light (portable side)…
<if you="" aren’t="" going="" into="" gaming="" graphics="" side…technically,="" can="" survive="" cs="" with="" a="" netbook="" worth="" like="" 100="" dollars.="" but="" i="" personally="" recommend="" laptops="" around="" 700="" range="" for="" most="" students.="" then="" again,="" if="" have="" the="" money…="" hey,="" there’s="" hp="" spectre="" x360="" in="" microsoft,="" macbook="" air,="" pro,="" etc.="">
@AccCreate Well so far i found 2 laptops that fit the requirement above and both of them are about $700.
If i5 processor is okay as you say, then im gonna go ahead and look for laptops with i5 processors. (This is would also reduce the price of the laptop which is good for me)
The reason i wanted those requirement was because i posted this is some other places and people told i will need an i7 for something like computer science. So if you think i5 is enough, then i might look for a laptop that has that. Let me know
An i5 will be more than okay. Trust me. Even i5 is an overkill 
But then i3 i feel brings a bit od lag when compiling,…
Basically, i5 is more than enough but i3 is a bit missing
(Depends on the model ofc but generally)
and since there is no such thing as i4… ya, i5 is goos
Get an i7 if you are going to do your college homework while playing CoD and LoL and editing 12 photoshop gif images
cause modern day processors are stupidly fast. Like really stupidly fast ^^
Now if u like following cs trend, most cs majors get macbook air 13 inch or macbook pro 13 inch
Though the air seems more popular (and ya… this is just evidence of how even a weaker machine like Air is overkill)
CS is all about portabilitý and long battery life for your laptop with a decent speed
And frankly… u can survive CS without a laptop but hey… that would destroy the economy xD
And example of a great laptop for college cs would be like
http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Zenbook-UX305FA-USM1-13-Inch-Windows/dp/B00TP5AZFQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8
In the Microsoft website, you could buy for hundred less with the student discount
now thats a bargain. (Except it temproraily sold out right now lol)
and all those people claiming intel M series arent fit for CS dont do CS. CS really doesnt use a lot of processing. Modern day computing isnt the early 2000s anymore. Intel M series are very energy efficient and omg, ur laptop wont get like 200 degrees xD
Personally, i would wait until last week of August. Thats when back to school laptop sale sarts and ends (usually that last 1 week is the best deal) and when u get the most bang for ur buck.
Oh ya, i survived first year CS with a 400 dollar laptop (that came wjth a free printer 2 years ago). Absolutely had no lag whatsoever wuth 4gb ram. Only problem? Being fat and junky and 15 inch, you cant even bring it to class.
Your gonna be walking around throwing ur laptops here and there. I so envied those macbook airs in class.
I bought my computer with 4 gb of ram and added 4 myself. Cheaper than buying it with 8, and I really appreciate the extra ram for those times I have 27 tabs of stackoverflow open.