Are you looking for the best laptop for computer science majors? As a computer science student, choosing the best laptops for college or university is critical. But before you decide on one, you need to have an idea of the minimum requirements you should be looking for in a laptop. We’ve covered a lot of the best college laptops on TechieSense.com, but this time we’re going to focus on just the best laptops for computer science majors!
Check Out Acer Aspire for Computer Students! Best Laptops Under 1000
Check Out Top Rated HP Envy 17 Inch! Best Laptop Under 700
We checked out over 50 schools to see what they were requiring for the best laptops for college students 2017 as well as what schools were looking for in the best laptop for computer programming and for their computer science students. While some schools had minimal requirements for their computer configurations, the requirements for computer science majors, were definitely more extensive. In addition, more schools preferred or required PCs over Macs for this major, however, MacBook Pros were on some school’s lists as the recommended Apple product.
Laptop for Computer Science Students – Requirements
CPU
- Quad Core (not counting hyper-threading) 2.4Ghz, Intel VT or AMD V (Intel i5 or better)
- Virtual box/VMware supported
- Intel is preferred over AMD for linux support
- Intel 6th Gen i7 is recommended
Memory
- 8GB Minimum, 16GB is recommended
- The ability to install more memory is desirable
Disk
- 500 GB 5400 RPM OR 128 GB SSD are acceptable
- 1 TB 5400 RPM is preferred
- 256 GB SSD is recommended
Graphics
- Accelerated, Gaming Support
- Nvidia is preferred over AMD
- 1920 * 1080 resolution is recommended (at least on an external port)
- At least 1280 by 1024 resolution is the general minimum
- HDMI output recommend (perhaps with an adapter)
Sound
Mic in/Headphone out (either analog or two free usb ports)
Mouse
An external mouse (USB or Bluetooth) is desirable
USB
USB 3.0 desirable for an external disk
Other USB ports may be needed for: mouse, printer, mic-in and headphones-out, depending setup and how you choose to use your computer
Wireless
802.11 n is the required minimum generally, and 802.11 ac is recommended
External Monitor
We found that some schools were recommending an external monitor and a 23” HDMI monitor was the recommendation, with reasonable resolution
Apple Laptops for Computer Science Majors
There was definitely mixed viewpoints on Apple laptops for computer science majors! Of the schools that did provide specs for them, it was the MacBook Pro that was most recommended as an option. Just be prepared for the fact that you might need to use Parallels or similar program to run all the programs that your school will require.
Best Laptop for Computer Science Majors
Acer Aspire VX15 Gaming Laptop – Best Laptops Under 1000
Before delving into the specifics of the VX15 model, let’s briefly discuss why Acer makes it to the list. Acer is makes The Best Laptop for Computer Science Majors list given its awesome specs and affordable price tag. For a reasonable price, you can purchase a good quality laptop whose performance and service delivery will exceed your expectations. Acer is a good choice for many students because it offers a well rounded set of features that ensures the laptop remains stable and can multitask effectively without compromising performance. It’s worth noting this brand has good reviews which contributes to its popularity among computer science students. Let us take a close look at the specs of top rated Acer VX15 laptop for a computer science student.
The fact that this is a gaming laptop means you can be guaranteed super fast speeds and overall impressive performance. This workstation comes with high level specs which include;
- a 7th Generation Intel Core i7 processor,
- 16GB DDR4 2400MHz memory,
- 2.8GHz with Turbo Boost technology up to 3.8GHz,
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 256GB SSD,
- 4GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM
- 15” Full HD 1920X1080 widescreen IPS display.
In addition, you get to a SD card reader, Bluetooth 4.0, HD webcam of 1280 x 720 and USB 3.0 among other exciting features. Judging from the specs, it’s accurate to conclude this laptop will offer you value for your money as it not only has the capability to insure that your coursework gets done, but you can also do much more with it (gaming anyone?).
2017 HP Envy 17T – Best Laptop Under 700
HP has been around for some time and despite newer brands coming into the market, they’ve still managed to release some cool products whose specs meet the needs of the modern user. If you are shopping for the best laptop for computer science majors and you’ve no clue where to begin; check out this cool model that meets and beats the minimum configurations we shared earlier. There’s no doubt, this is one of the best laptops for computer science students 2017.
To begin with, the specs for this laptop are simply incredible. It comes with:
- an Intel i7 processor 2.7GHz up to 3.5GHz,
- 16GB DDR4 and 1 TB HDD 7200 RPM.
With such cool specs, you can expect HP Envy 17T will offer you super fast speeds and comfortably multitask without compromising performance. In addition, it has 17.3” Full HD 1920 X 1080 WLED- backlit IPS Display and NVIDIA 940MX 4GB Dedicated Graphics. If you’re looking for a laptop for computer science student with a 17 inch screen, this one is definitely a good choice to consider. It is evident this workstation was built to sustain heavy applications and therefore, you can comfortably use it for your computer science coursework including programming. The slim and sleek appearance of the laptop is designed to ensure you enjoy sophisticated looks and the highest standards of convenience.
Lenovo Flex 4
Is top notch performance and portability important for you? Then the Lenovo Flex 4 is what you probably need for your computer science major. This laptop contender for computer science majors has awesome specs that make it a favorite for both IT students and professionals. The 15.6” touch screen is highly responsive and convenient. Lenovo Flex 4 is a hybrid 2-in-1 laptop that features:
- an Intel Core i7-7500U 2.7GHz processor
- 8GB RAM and
- 256GB SSD
making it a high performance laptop that can enable you to comfortably multitask and get things done on time. The cool thing about this laptop is you can use it both as a laptop and tablet.
There’s no doubt, this laptop has plenty of memory and storage to keep up with all your needs. Its stunning 1920 x 1080 display ensures you enjoy stellar graphics. Overall, Lenovo Flex 4 offers you a great working and entertainment experience given the fact it folds 360 degrees so you can use it in different ways. For students looking for the best laptop for computer science majors and like the idea of a convertible, this is an excellent convertible laptop to consider.
ASUS ZenBook – Best Laptop Under 700
The ASUS ZenBook model is both popular and works for those looking for the best laptop for computer science majors because it’s fast, slim and light. Its unmatched power and sleek design makes you feel proud being an owner of this awesome laptop. This multimedia laptop is highly portable so you can carry it along with you without getting inconvenienced. A stunning laptop that comes with
- a super fast latest Core i5 processor,
- 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM memory
- 256 GB Solid State Drive
- Intel HD Graphics 520 Integrated
Given the specs we’ve just mentioned, you can be assured this laptop boots in seconds and works at a rapid pace with various kinds of programs.
Other amazing features that should make you consider this option are the 12 hour battery life and that it’s light as a feather at a total of 2.6lbs, making it easy to carry around with you every day. If you are keen on having a laptop that brings together stunning performance and high mobility, ASUS ZenBook will not disappoint. It’s worth mentioning ASUS has impressive cooling capabilities that help the laptop remain cool delivering an exciting and superior quality usage experience. Given the numerous top reviews from previous customers, you can relax if you invest in an ASUS ZenBook, you won’t be disappointed.
The next years are going to be exciting, challenging and filled with some great experiences. Having the right and best laptop for computer science majors, will make a difference in how easily and quickly you get things done. Choosing any one of these laptops for computer science students ought to do the job for you over the next four years or more.
Good luck in college!