Best Laptop For College Computer Science

Congratulations on your college acceptance! If you are an incoming freshman or a supportive parent, we know lots of decisions are being made right now. One of the most important ones you’ll make is choosing the best laptop for college computer science students or STEM majors.

Choosing the right computer for college, especially for STEM majors (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and computer science in particular, requires considering specific needs. Let’s get into it.

This post is about best laptop for college computer science, including what specifics you will want to look for, and the best options at different price points so you can find a great deal on a good laptop, perfect for what you need.

If you are getting college ready, we have a whole section of the blog dedicated to you!

This includes the best laptop computers on a budget, as well as mother & daughter approved dorm room essentials, including the things you need to create a super cozy dorm room bed and the best TV for a dorm room. Be sure to check it out!

Disclaimer: We have included affiliate links for convenience and ease of reference. If products are purchased via these links, a small commission will be received, at no extra cost to the buyer.

Laptop Computer – The Perfect Graduation Gift

Many high school students have been fortunate to have a school issued laptop to use during their high school years. Some have had Macbooks, others Chromebooks, so for a lot of kids, they actually don’t have their own laptop before heading off to be college students.

This is why getting an amazing laptop for your incoming freshman is such a great idea.

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College Specifics – Best Laptop For College Computer Science

To determine the computer specifics you want to look for, one of the first things we recommend you do is go to your specific college website and look to the computer science or STEM department of your major.

They won’t list the best computers, but they will outline the features they recommend be included on a laptop to meet all the needs of students majoring in those subjects.

That way you will know the minimum requirements you will want to look for when computer shopping.

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Features To Have – Best Laptop For College Computer Science

While a history major might prioritize a comfortable keyboard for churning out essays, or a graphic designer might want a vibrant display for creative projects, computer science (CS) majors have different priorities.

Unlike laptops for other majors, CS students needs are quite specific. You’ll be working with resource-intensive programs, coding, and the world of virtual machines.

Here is a quick run down of the things you want to look for in a laptop for a computer science major, followed by some of the top options from a variety of brands, in several different price points, so you can be sure to get a reliable choice no matter how much money you have budgeted.

Processor: CS majors will be working with programs that demand serious muscle. Think of compiling code as being like gathering and translating instructions for a computer to follow. A powerful processor is crucial for handling demanding tasks like code compilation & software development. Look for an Intel Core i7 or Ryzen 7 AMD processors or higher.

RAM (Random Access Memory): This is the computer’s short term memory. The more GB of RAM you have, the more programs you can run simultaneously without experiencing lag – and lag SUCKS! Multitasking is essential, so prioritize at least 16GB of RAM, with 32GB being ideal for the most demanding workloads.

Storage: The CS student will be accumulating mountains of code, data sets and software so you are going to want a lot of storage space. Opt for a combination of a solid-state drive (SSD) for fast boot times and program loading, and a traditional hard drive (HDD) for bulk storage. Look for at least 512GB of storage, but we prefer to get 1TB or more so that you have what you need. Honestly, we like to error on the side of ridiculous storage because we hate being limited in that department.

Graphics Card: While not essential for all computer science tasks, a dedicated graphics card can be beneficial for tasks involving 3D modeling, machine learning, or gaming during downtime. Our experience is that the 3D modeling is key and will be done a lot by STEM major. Look for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 series or AMD Radeon RX 6000 series cards for strong performance.

Display: A high-resolution display (Full HD 1080p or higher) with good color accuracy for coding, viewing diagrams, and reading text is recommended for better readability and multitasking. Consider a 144Hz refresh rate or higher for smoother visuals, especially if your computer whiz also likes to game.

Portability: Lightweight and compact design for ease of carrying between classes and study sessions is nice. Most of these are all quite managable.

Battery Life: We all know the struggle that is trying to keep our electronics charged. This laptop will be your student’s constant companion. It will go to lectures, the library, anywhere your student goes, it will go. A laptop with a long battery life (at least 8 hours) on a single charge that will last through a day of classes and study sessions without needing to recharge is a game changer.

Operating System: Windows, Mac OS, or Linux systems, depending on personal preference and software requirements for specific courses.

The Laptop We Chose

We went through an exhaustive process in researching laptops for a STEM major, and we ended up getting the Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 Ultra Slim Gaming Laptop – which we LOVE and highly recommend. It is on the pricier side, but we have been very happy with it.

In our research, we learned that gaming laptops can be a good option for engineering students because they often pack powerful processors and graphics cards suitable for demanding academic tasks. They are some of the best college laptops because they have excellent performance for multitasking, coding, running simulations, and they are great for handling 3D modeling & video editing. Plus, if your kid is a gamer, they can play all their favorite video games!

The only caveat about it – there is no webcam! We had to buy a little separate webcam that works great, but we didn’t realize it didn’t come with a webcam when we bought it. Other than that, we love this laptop!

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Top Rated – Best Laptop For College Computer Science

In addition to the Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 that we eventually ended up getting, here are some of the computers we considered.

We’ll break down the pros and cons of high-end, mid-range, and budget-friendly options to help you find the best laptop for college computer science that fits your needs and budget.

Best High-End Options for Computer Science:

• Pros: These powerhouses boast top-of-the-line processors, ample RAM, and spacious storage. They can handle anything you throw at them, from running multiple virtual machines to compiling massive codebases. They often have stunning displays and sleek, lightweight designs.
• Cons: They come with a hefty price tag. These laptops might be overkill for a basic cs student laptop, but they can certainly handle high intensity programs like MIT students and beyond.

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Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M1 Max): If you are a Mac person, we know you want an Apple product. We are actually Apple people too, and love our Apple Macbooks – for everything but our STEM stuff. But you can’t really go wrong with this incredible computer. It has a powerful M1 Max chip, excellent build quality, & long battery life in addition to being super fast and having a gorgeous display.

Dell XPS 15 (12th Gen Intel Core i7): If Microsoft Windows is more your thing, this is a powerful machine with excellent performance & build quality with a beautiful display.

ASUS ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition:  This is similar to the one we went with. It has a powerful AMD Ryzen processor, & top-tier NVIDIA graphics card. Excellent not only for gaming but all types of demanding tasks. It is described as being bulky and heavy but we haven’t found that to be an issue.

MSI Creator 15 (12th Gen Intel Core i7): Maybe not as well known as a name, but is a brand with excellent reviews. Strong performance, excellent color accuracy for creative work, lightweight and portable.

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Top Budget-Friendly Options for Computer Science:

• Pros: These laptops are wallet-friendly and perfectly suitable for students on a tight budget. They can handle basic coding tasks, browsing, and essential software.
• Cons: They typically have less powerful processors, lower RAM, and smaller storage capacities. Battery life might not be ideal, and they might struggle with more demanding programs.

Acer Aspire 5 (AMD Ryzen 5): Balances affordability with decent performance, good for basic coding tasks and everyday use. Might struggle with very demanding applications.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 (Intel Core i5): Lightweight, portable, good battery life, comfortable keyboard. Limited upgradeability and might not be suitable for highly intensive tasks.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14″ (AMD Ryzen 5): the Lenovo Ideapad Series laptop family and the Lenovo ThinkPad x are all great to consider. This option in particular is lightweight and durable, an excellent keyboard for typing, strong performance with Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, and long battery life. It runs both Windows and Linux operating systems smoothly. If touch screen is your thing, this does have a convertible design with touchscreen. It has decent performance for everyday tasks as well as some coding work. However, it may not be ideal for a very demanding workload.

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Best Mid Range Options for Computer Science:

• Pros: These laptops offer a sweet spot between power and affordability. They pack enough punch to handle most computer science tasks while remaining budget-conscious. You’ll find a good balance of processing power, RAM, and storage options.
• Cons: They might not be the absolute top performers, especially for highly demanding tasks. They might have some compromises on display quality or battery life compared to high-end models.

Acer Swift 3 (2021): Affordable price with AMD Ryzen 5 processor, fast SSD storage, Full HD display, and lightweight design. Suitable for basic programming tasks, web browsing, and multimedia consumption.

ASUS VivoBook 15 (2021): Budget-friendly option with Intel Core i3 or i5 processor, SSD storage, Full HD display, and ergonomic keyboard. Offers good value for students on a tight budget.

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STEM Majors (Beyond Computer Science)

For STEM majors outside of computer science, specific needs may vary. Here’s a general guideline:

• Engineering: College of Engineering has similar requirements to computer science, with emphasis on powerful processors for running engineering software and potentially good graphics cards for 3D modeling and simulations.
• Math/Science: Strong processor for complex calculations and data analysis is important. RAM requirements can vary depending on the specific field of study. Check with your school’s specs!

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Choosing The Best Laptop For Your Student

Finding the best laptop for college computer science is about finding the right balance between your needs, budget, and preferred features. You want this to work perfectly all through school and beyond!

Here are some additional tips and products to consider:

• Consider your courses: If you know you’ll be taking graphics-intensive courses or working with virtual machines, you might need a more powerful machine or one that is more focused on those areas.
• Don’t forget the keyboard: You’ll be spending countless hours typing code, so ensure the keyboard is comfortable and responsive. You can always get a seperate one to plug in, and a mechanical keyboard if you love that aesthetic!
• Look for upgrade options: If you have fallen in love with a certain laptop, be sure you can add more RAM or storage later on down the road. Not being able to upgrade may be a dealbreaker when you are shopping. We always make sure this is a viable option, should we need or want it.
• Laptop Mouse: If you don’t love the touchpad, consider a laptop mouse. This is especially perfect if you get a second monitor (which we also HIGHLY recommend).
• Cloud Storage: Back up, Back up, BACK UP! Please don’t skimp on this!! Back up is one of those things you need and hope to never use, but if and/or when you need it, it is worth its weight in gold! Cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox can be lifesavers for backing up your code and projects.
• Screen Size: There can be quite a price variation depending on the screen size you get, so if you love one particular computer but it is just outside your budget, consider getting the same computer in a smaller screen size.
• External Hard Drive: These inexpensive items are so great to have. Always a good piece of mind to be able to store in another location, or have another place to store big files you may not want on your computer.

We have these components broken down below, and everything listed is linked in our storefront!

Best Laptop For College Computer Science

We hope this post on the best laptop for college computer science majors and STEM majors has been helpful in helping you make a great choice to find the best college laptops for your next step in higher education!

Best of luck to you or your favorite graduate!

Looking for more graduation and college prep ideas? Check out our guide to making the most cozy dorm room bed, our unique graduation gift guide, shop for the perfect white graduation dress, and be inspired to take amazing cap and gown photos just using your smartphone! We have a whole section dedicated to graduation & back to school, so definitely check that out!

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