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What laptop for university?

I'm planning on studying computer science.

I'm considering a Dell xps, a surface laptop or a macbook.

Does anyone take a similar course, what do you recommend?

Reply 1

frostfly

My sister is doing the same course as you and she went with the MacBook Pro 15" 2017. I think that's an overkill tbh.

Reply 2

Adamburgess38

Original post by Mystelle

My sister is doing the same course as you and she went with the MacBook Pro 15" 2017. I think that's an overkill tbh.

Was thinking an air purely because the logo still lights up haha. I know all of the computers I'm considering are powerful enough just more about which would suit the course best if you get me.

Reply 3

frostfly

Original post by Adamburgess38

Was thinking an air purely because the logo still lights up haha. I know all of the computers I'm considering are powerful enough just more about which would suit the course best if you get me.

Yeah I was actually considering the Air for myself too. It's the only model that still has the more tactile keyboard, whereas all the other MacBook models have the butterfly keyboard, which I hate. I think Apple computers are definitely worth more consideration than Windows computers, unless you're a PC gamer, because the Apple ecosystem is so easy to use.

Reply 4

NataschaQueLinda

If you are going to study smth in technical or engineerring fields, or design, you will have to install such softwares like autocad, mathlab, 3d max, photoshop, etc. So the laptop name almost doesn't matter. What matters is RAM and hard drive size, coz you dont want your laptop to be slow.

Reply 5

NataschaQueLinda

Original post by NataschaQueLinda

it almost makes no sense to buy a laptop with less than 8Gb RAM.

Reply 6

Adamburgess38

Does the XPS have USB type C? Would like it to be future proof.

Reply 7

ground_cinnamon

I’ll be doing Computer Science next year and I’m thinking of opting for the 2018 13inch MacBook Pro. It’s small and light which is great for taking to lectures and it’s a lot more powerful than last years due to the 2 extra cores and RAM(otherwise I would’ve opted for the 15inch). I’m a little disappointed it’s only got integrated graphics though rather than the RX chips in the new 15”, although I don’t suppose that’ll affect me much due to the nature of the CS course, as in no video editing, gaming etc.

Of course USB-C Dongles are going to be a pain but honestly it doesn’t even bother me, and I’m thinking it might actually be a good move as I’m seeing more and more devices coming with USB-C and thunderbolt support which is great.

My reasoning with going for Apple is I like the OS, the SSD’s in the MacBooks are BLAZING fast, personally find the butterfly keyboard really nice to use (not a common opinion), and I’ve seen people going around with 6/7 year old MacBooks and they’re still perfectly happy with the performance of them which is excellent.

I’ve used Windows Laptops/Desktops all my life and the only problems I have with them is constant Windows Updates (infuriating), and on the Laptop side, hardware tends to degrade/die (especially the battery) after about 2 years in all my experiences. Also used a handful of Laptops running Ubuntu which takes away the Windows Updates annoyance but the same hardware issues as usual. And going with Apple seems to be a smart move as it may actually be more cost effective to buy an expensive MacBook now and have it last 2/3x longer than a slightly less expensive laptop of which I’d have to buy or upgrade (getting harder to nowadays) multiple times.

This is all my reasoning and justification, at the end of the day it comes down to what you can afford / prefer, as long as it’s powerful enough.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 8

username1799249

Original post by Adamburgess38

Was thinking an air purely because the logo still lights up haha. I know all of the computers I'm considering are powerful enough just more about which would suit the course best if you get me.

Why on earth would you take an expensive laptop into a school? Buy something cheap and bullet proof as you will be picking it up / putting it down lots. As long is it does PowerPoint you will be fine. Vanity doesn't go very far in a school. People couldn't care less about what laptop you have.