Computer science as a field of study is all about sitting for long hours in front of your laptops to write codes and programs.
And for that, your laptop needs to be equipped with some essentials like extensive battery life, optimal CPU speed, memory, and a few others.
With that being said, the additional features in a laptop instead of power serve the CS students more. So, this needs a little prioritization before making any decision.
Unlike heavy-duty gaming laptops, a rather less-powerful, yet productive laptop would do better in this regard.
So keeping in mind all these things, I have compiled a list of the best laptop for computer science students; that too for all kinds of budget range.
On that note, let’s get down to it:
Contents
- The 7 Best Laptops for Computer Science Students in 2022
- 1. Apple MacBook Air – Best Laptop for Computer Science Engineering Students
- 2. Apple MacBook Pro – High-End Laptop for Computer Science Students
- 3. Dell Inspiron Laptop – Best Budget Laptop for Computer Science Students
- 4. HP 15 Laptop – Best Laptop for Computer Science Students Under 500
- 5. Lenovo Flex 5 – Best Laptop Brand for Computer Science Students
- 6. ASUS VivoBook 15 – Best Cheap Laptop for Computer Science Students
- 7. Acer Swift 3 – Best Lightweight laptop for Computer Science Students
- What to Consider While Buying the Best Laptop for Computer Science Students? A Complete Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
The 7 Best Laptops for Computer Science Students in 2022
# | Laptop Name | Processor | RAM/Storage | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Apple MacBook Air | M1 chipset | 8GB / 256GB SSD | |
2. | Acer Swift3 Intel Evo | Intel Core-i7 | 8GB / 256GB SSD | |
3. | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 | AMD Ryzen 5 3500U | 8GB / 256GB | |
4. | HP 15 Laptop | 11th Gen Intel Core i5 | 8GB / 256GB | |
5. | Lenovo Flex 5 | AMD Ryzen 5 | 16GB / 1 TB | |
6. | ASUS VivoBook 15 | AMD Ryzen 5 | 8GB / 256GB | |
7. | Acer Swift 3 | AMD Ryzen 7 | 8GB / 512GB |
1. Apple MacBook Air – Best Laptop for Computer Science Engineering Students
Apple tops our list of the best laptops for computer science students, with an impeccable piece of hardware, the new Apple Macbook Air. The Macbook series have been ranking the best since the beginning, because of its highly compatible features. Similarly, here it offers a wide range of settings that would best suit the needs of CS students.
Some of its important features include;
Firstly, the 18 hours of extensive battery life is a perk with this amazing laptop. This gives you a lot of time to do your entire programming thing throughout the day. Besides, it’s a great convenience in taking the laptops to the classrooms without any hassle of carrying the charger.
Besides, the programming and other computer-related assignments might require a little power. So to address that, Apple MacBook Air’s M1 chipset with an 8-core CPU delivers massive strength to help you out with heavy-duty tasks.
Not to forget the 8 GB of superfast memory that is the ultimate perk in a laptop for CS students. It makes multitasking way too speedy and gives a boost to multi-tab browsing as well.
With that being said, having a MacBook by your side can level up your computing game. You can make the most out of this impeccable machine as it is packed with amazing apps and programs right out of the box.
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- 3.5x faster performance as compared to the previous model
- Extra memory for up to 8 GB
- 18 hours of battery life is all that you need
- M1 chipset with 8-core processor doubles the power
- Easily compatible with all the apps
- Comparatively pricey
- No other major problems
Final Views:
Apple Macbook Air is the ultimate choice for computer science students as it is loaded with exceptional features. A little pricier than most of the laptops here, but still it stands out as the best laptop
2. Apple MacBook Pro – High-End Laptop for Computer Science Students
You’ll not find a well-crafted machine on the market than the new Apple MacBook Pro. Yes, you read that right! It has the most appealing design as compared to most of the other laptops for CS students. With that aside, the availability of highly functional specs simply makes it the most accurate piece of hardware for computer grads.
To begin with its features;
It has a stunning 13 inches display with True Tone technology that gives you immersive work-time. Besides, for those looking for minimal screen size, unlike the bigger screens of most laptops, the MacBook Pro would do the best.
With that said, the superfast SSD storage works in full swing to provide you with enormous space to cater to your computing tasks. In addition, the 8-core processor works with 2.8x faster speed. So, typing code becomes much more prompt.
Let’s not forget to mention its impeccable battery life that goes up to 20 hours straight. So, forget about charging your laptop for at least two days; only if you ain’t using it for activities other than studying, such as gaming, etc.
Furthermore, the 16-core neural engine makes it possible for CS students to pull off machine learning on this laptop as well. So conclusively, the Apple MacBook Pro vamps up to be the best laptop for computer science students in 2022.
- Longest hours of battery span in Mac series for up to 20 hours
- 5 times faster GPU for graphics-intensive apps
- Advanced machine learning
- Superfast SSD storage
- 16-core Neural Engine
- Highly expensive
Final Views:
Apple MacBook Pro is the most high-end laptop for CS students, packaged with tremendous features. You must consider buying this amazing machine if budget is not a problem for you.
3. Dell Inspiron Laptop – Best Budget Laptop for Computer Science Students
Here we have yet another masterpiece for the computer science students to buy this year, the new Dell Inspiron. How it could be possible to have the list of top-rated laptops for CS students and not having included one from Dell in it?! This laptop has all that you need as a CS student, or even more.
Starting with its features;
First and foremost, the 16 GB of bandwidth RAM of this laptop speeds up the rate at which data can be transferred or stored. This allows a great deal of convenience for computer science students.
In addition to that, you can store all your files on this laptop as it provides ample storage capacity with a 1TB of Hard Disk Drive. Apart from that, a solid-state drive of 512 GB allows fast boot up.
That being said, the other features of this laptop include the Maxx Audio technology that helps to personalize the sounds. Besides, the Intel UHD graphics deliver the best video quality. So for the students, this is an added perk to their laptops.
- Lightweight construction for ultimate convenience
- 16 GB of high-bandwidth RAM
- Ample storage capacity in the hard drive
- MaxxAudio technology with stereo speakers
- Built-in webcam with a microphone
- Intel UHD graphics deliver the best video quality
- Screen resolution is less
- Connecting to Wi-Fi takes a while
Final Views:
Dell Inspiron is a perfect fit for those looking for a performing Windows laptop to study computer science. Consider this as a replacement to the high-end Macbooks and make the most out of it.
4. HP 15 Laptop – Best Laptop for Computer Science Students Under 500
To address the needs of computer science students or students, to be precise, the new HP 15 laptop comes up with the cheapest price range. As we all know that investing so much money for a student is barely possible. So this HP laptop brings in a great deal for the CS students to pursue their degree by having the power-packed laptop by the side.
To begin with its features;
HP 15 does not make any compromise on its build quality as it is constructed with powerful material. The durable body of this laptop not only lasts longer than you expect but also prevents damage from sudden knocks.
With that aside, it features a sleek and slim design that ensures enormous portability. So carrying this machine along to your classrooms isn’t a hassle anymore. Besides, the HP True Vision HD camera captures with clarity. So, attend your online sessions with a super clear image.
That being said, the Intel 11th gen core processor powers all the heavy-duty multitasking. Moreover, the Intel Iris Xe graphics card shows picture with stunning visuals. So now you can watch videos related to your courses online, with full clarity.
- Durable construction
- Lightweight for enormous portability
- Sleek and slim design
- High core processor to address the great demands of programming
- Best budget laptop for computer science students
- No backlit keyboard
- Limited battery life
Final Views:
HP 15 is a solid laptop that is built with great power. And to top it off, the reasonable price tag of this laptop comes in. So for the students running low on the budget this year, the new HP 15 would be the best option.
5. Lenovo Flex 5 – Best Laptop Brand for Computer Science Students
With a convertible design, the new Lenovo Flex 5 stands out among its rivals. However, it is similar in performance to that of the previously-mentioned laptops in this list, but the price tag of this laptop is higher than those, and that’s what makes all the difference. From a student’s perspective, budget is more important than add-on functionalities, and hence it becomes a second option for most of the potential buyers.
To start with its features;
The equipment of the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U mobile processor in this laptop rounds up the overall performance. To solve programs and write codes, you need ample speed and processing. And that gives the right thing to you.
In addition, the Radeon graphics of this laptop increases responsiveness and hence you get to have more productive activity. So much so, that not only tech study, but gaming, content creation, and other computer-related chores can be done with ease.
That being said, the intelligent design and manufacturing of this laptop are quite different from the normal. For instance, the convertible design of this machine turns it into a tent, stand, or tablet mode. This increases practicality.
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- Thin and stylish construction
- Convertible design for ease of use
- Highly-responsive GPU
- AMD Ryzen 5 processor
- Portability ensured for students
- Digital pen included
- Not so reasonable price tag
- No numpad included
Final Views:
Lenovo Flex 5 would be a perfect fit for those students who want to have a laptop that could be converted into a notepad. So much so, that it shows up with a digital pen as well. Buy this if budget is not a problem for you.
6. ASUS VivoBook 15 – Best Cheap Laptop for Computer Science Students
The new ASUS VivoBook 15 is meant for the CS students out there who want a sturdy laptop within an affordable price range. Just like the HP 15 mentioned previously, it also comes up with an inexpensive price tag that instantly grabs the attention of students. That being said, the ultra-slim body of this laptop not only weighs less but also looks aesthetically good.
To begin with its features;
The best thing about this laptop is that it is powered by AMD Radeon graphics that give you immense accessibility. The best AMD graphics are featured in this series, and hence you get the most advanced and powerful streaming options.
With that aside, it accompanies the AMD R7 processor, which is the ultimate necessity of computer science students. This equipment gives a performance edge to this laptop over others.
That being said, the 1920 x 1080 Pixels of screen resolution along with 15.6 inches of the display allow maximum visibility. Plus, its design is too good in this regard as it has a frameless four-sided NanoEdge display. So overall it makes a good choice for CS students.
However, one setback of this laptop is that it has a limited battery lifespan. That means the battery gets drained after a short period and then you have to connect it to a power supply, which is a problem while you are out. So that makes the buyer think twice about it.
Apart from that, the RAM capacity is also not up to the mark as it features only 512 GB of DDR4 memory. Not that it isn’t enough to follow through on the computing tasks of students, still the higher memory capacity would’ve done better.
- The most advanced graphics card installed
- R7 processors for ultra-fast processing
- Impressive display quality
- Attractive design
- Affordable price tag
- Short memory size
- Battery life is minimal
Final Views:
ASUS VivoBook 15 is the most suitable laptop for those who want a vivid display quality. If you are looking for one such laptop, backed with a reasonable price tag, then consider ASUS 15 in this regard.
7. Acer Swift 3 – Best Lightweight laptop for Computer Science Students
Last on our list is another premium laptop for computer science students, the new Acer Swift 3. With its highly advanced functioning and super-excellent processing speed, you can have your computing tasks completed in no time. That being said, the extra add-on features just simply double its worth.
Some of its important features are as follows;
Firstly, the portability factor of this laptop is quite commendable as it weighs only 2.5 pounds. This means that you can have this super-light laptop in your backpack without feeling any burden on your shoulders.
Moving on to the most important of the features, it has the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Octa-Core processors. This is to back the heavy-duty multitasking and to avoid any lagging in performance.
With that being said, this laptop ensures enormous convenience as it is loaded with adaptable features. For instance, it has the Modem standby and wake-on voice function that starts up your system in seconds.
Besides, the fingerprint reader, Alexa built-in, illuminated keyboard, and narrow bezels for a wide display add up to make it the best stylish laptop for CS students. Apart from that, the reasonable price tag makes it an easy buy.
- Ultra-light construction of 2.5 lbs
- Great convenience with the ergonomic fingerprint reader
- Wake on voice feature turns the laptop on, in seconds
- Impressive wide display with thin bezels
- Alexa built-in feature ensures ease of use
- Reasonable pricing
- The laptop heats up after a while
- The trackpad is less responsive comparatively
Final Views:
Acer has always been the highlight of gaming laptops, but this time, it has shown up with an impeccable piece of hardware for CS students. So if you are in search of a smart laptop within the range of a student, then this is the best option.
Top 3 Recommendations:
Based on personal experience, customer response, and expert reviews, we have picked the best three from this list.
These are as follows:
- Apple MacBook Pro – as it is a complete package for the students, minus the budget hassle.
- Apple MacBook Air – as it is similar in performance like that of MacBook Pro; that too with a less-expensive price tag.
- Dell Inspiron Laptop – because of highly reasonable pricing.
What to Consider While Buying the Best Laptop for Computer Science Students? A Complete Guide
Choosing the best laptop online from a student’s perspective can be hectic.
You have to pen down the specs and features you want to see on your laptop in order to meet your degree’s requirements. And for that, you gotta compromise some of its perks.
So to help you out with this, we have got some tips and tricks to be kept in mind.
You must not ignore these key factors as they’ll help you make the right choice. That said, let’s get down to it:
- Battery Life:
First and foremost, a student needs a laptop that could survive a whole day without connecting to the charger. This means that a laptop must have an extensive battery life to back its all-day-long usage.
Besides, it increases portability as you don’t have to carry the charger along. Also, it helps computer science students in completing their coding/decoding or programming tasks without facing battery drainage.
- Display Size:
In the second place, we have yet another important factor to be considered while shopping for the best laptop for computer science students, which is its screen size. It isn’t that important for different kinds of users, but for the programmers, this is actually worth considering.
After all, you have to stare at the screen with proper concentration for like hours, so in order to avoid extra stress on your eyes, you better prefer to have a laptop with enough display size.
- Processor Speed:
The processor speed is the fundamental aspect of a laptop, no matter its type of usage. As for a fact, carrying out different programming tasks and other computing projects can get a bit CPU-intensive.
In addition, you need a lot of processing speed to back heavy-duty software in order to have a smooth operation. So this factor is to not be ignored.
Normally, laptops have Intel core processors that do their job way too perfectly. However, AMD Ryzen is a little less performing in comparison with the former. That aside, the overall power and performance of these processors are commendable as well.
- RAM and Storage:
For operating heavy-duty computing software, you need enough memory and storage power. Having a random access memory of up to 8 GB will allow you to multi-task as well.
Besides, extensive storage employs in keeping each and every assignment, presentation, program, and project on your laptop.
- Budget Range:
Being a student, it all comes down to the price range. It is utterly true for most of the students that they are usually low on budget. So spending thousands of bucks is not possible for them. So make sure that you find a laptop with all the quirks in a low price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which laptop is best for computer science students?
The best laptop for computer science students is none other than the Apple MacBook Air. This is because it features amazing specs with high battery life and extra compatibility. And all of this is backed by a reasonable price as well.
2. How much RAM do I need for computer science?
The least RAM you should prefer in your laptop as a computer science student is about 8 GB. The lesser would do the job, but for having a reliable machine, make sure that it is equipped with at least 8 GBs. However, the best can go up to 12 GB as well.
3. Is Core i5 good for programming?
Yes, the Core i5 is definitely worth having for programming. The higher the processor count, the greater the power gets. And for heavy-duty programming, you might need this much power.
Some Last Words
Computer science students cannot hold out without a laptop these days.
Be it for writing code, programs, or other assignments, it has become the fundamental necessity of CS students to have a basic laptop at least by the side.
So for that, we’d talked about the best laptops for students within all budget ranges, here above. Make sure to go through them to make the wisest choice for yourself.
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