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Laptop for physics/maths student?

Hello. I’m wondering what kind of laptop to buy for my son, who will be starting uni next fall (is still deciding between offers), studying maths and physics. Any advice on operating system and minimum memory, and other specifics would be really appreciated. I don’t know a lot about tech, but want to make sure it can do everything he needs. Thanks!!!

Reply 1

deepnpc

Original post by Kjsq

Hello! Do you have a rough budget and rough requirements eg a touchscreen and 360 capability with a pen so you can use to write and make notes. The two main operating systems (windows and OS) are different but I would say windows is better as it all Unis will use Microsoft Teams so it is a better user experience if you have Windows 11. I would say never ever go below 8GB memory as it will be far too slow, however if you a looking to buy a laptop to last 4+ years I would say go with 16GB memory as that will be enough for the next few years.

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by Kjsq

My perspectives: as always, the specs will be determined by what they need for personal usage. For academic purposes they won't be expected to do anything more than word processing and standard internet based research. Any specialist software requiring more than standard specs will be available on university PC clusters and unis will normally expect students to use those if needed - in no small part because usually students are not given individual software licenses for those programs and they're expensive to get for yourself (even with student discounts added).

So in terms of personal usage if he likes to play games on his laptop then he may want one with a discrete GPU. As above don't go below 8GB RAM - 16 is nice but not indispensable. I would recommend seeing if you can find one with dual storage (SSD and HDD), as SSDs are faster (so good for having the operating system and programs on it) but more expensive for more space and get slower the more stuff is on them - so an HDD is better for storing e.g. files, pictures, videos etc. A dual storage setup gives you the best of both worlds :smile:

For an SSD I would aim for 512GB really these days - 256GB doesn't go far once you stick windows on it. For the HDD usually 1TB is fine (if he needs more he can just get extra external HDDs - probably worth getting a 1TB external for backup purposes anyway).

Note if he's likely to primarily use at his accommodation and not bring with him to campus, seriously worth considering a rig (i.e. desktop built either by him or for him - companies do this, at various price points). Particularly if he does do significant PC gaming, with the price points of even mid range gaming laptops and the fact that with how heavy they are they often are impractical to use "mobile" as a laptop otherwise, it might just be better value for money in the short and long run, as in the long run a desktop rig can have components upgraded as you go (up to a point - but that point is quite a bit further than with a laptop). Also being more modular in nature, if a given component blows then it's easier to replace that without having to replace everything else potentially (depends a bit on what has happened), whereas with a laptop often when a major piece of hardware goes it's just cheaper to buy a new one.

The above all assumes a windows PC. This is because Macs don't offer anything a windows PC can't already do, except they exclusively retail at higher price points due to conspicuous consumption. They use literally the same components but a windows PC will cost less. Additionally, Apple products are designed to be closed systems making it really hard to get them repaired anywhere other than Apple store (which, surprise! charges huge amounts and often will make you basically buy a new product for a minor issue that could be repaired on a windows PC at any of the dozens of PC repair shops endemic to uni towns which will be competing to offer lower prices for higher quality i.e. not some teenager sent on a 3 week training course by the Apple store but someone who probably has spent the last couple years building and rebuilding PCs).

In summary: Windows PC, 8GB RAM minimum (16 if it's cheap, although with a windows PC this can potentially get added later), ideally dual boot with 512 GB SSD and 1 TB HDD. Anything else will be determined by what he actually wants to use it for outside of uni - the major differentiator here is really if he wants to use it for gaming as then you need to start looking at PCs with a discrete GPU and gauging what level he will need (if he only plays runescape then nothing too major needed for example!). For accessories a 1 TB external HDD is usually worthwhile. Keyboard, mouse, screen etc will all depend on his usage needs.

Reply 3

Dunnig Kruger

Buy him a used premium business laptop from ebay. Pay no more than £200 / $200. Aim for a deal at around £150 for a fully working laptop.
Current sweet spot for laptops are HP 840 G6, 830 G6 or Dell Latitude 7400 or 7300 or 7410 or 7310.

If he doesn't need a laptop now, wait till July / August 2024 and buy a laptop then. The sweet spot will probably have moved on to HP 840 G7's, Dell 7420's etc.

Linux is the best operating system for your son's laptop. Debian with KDE Plasma is more stable, more secure, less virus prone, more reliable, more polished looking, has a better user interface, is less annoying (eg with updates), cheaper (it's free!) than Windows 10 and 11.

Libre Office is a good free alternative to MS Office.

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