Laptop/tablet recommendation/deals - for Computer science - University
Hi,
(Earlier posted in wrong forum hence reposting for more replies here)
Looking for a laptop for a university Computer science degree.
Could you recommend a laptop which is best suited for computer science needs? Processor i7 needed or i5 is ok?
Buy now or wait for the offer confirmation on result day for any deals?
Do you really get any student discounts, is it worth waiting?
Also looking for tablet/ipad as well for notes taking, but considering the costs probably would go with second land, earlier models if ipad or new android tablet
How would you compare ipad older models like 6/7/8th gen vs Samsung etc mid range tablets for general notes taking, versatile usage - should last at least 3 yrs?
Thanks
(Earlier posted in wrong forum hence reposting for more replies here)
Looking for a laptop for a university Computer science degree.
Could you recommend a laptop which is best suited for computer science needs? Processor i7 needed or i5 is ok?
Buy now or wait for the offer confirmation on result day for any deals?
Do you really get any student discounts, is it worth waiting?
Also looking for tablet/ipad as well for notes taking, but considering the costs probably would go with second land, earlier models if ipad or new android tablet
How would you compare ipad older models like 6/7/8th gen vs Samsung etc mid range tablets for general notes taking, versatile usage - should last at least 3 yrs?
Thanks
Original post by d_shubh
Hi,
(Earlier posted in wrong forum hence reposting for more replies here)
Looking for a laptop for a university Computer science degree.
Could you recommend a laptop which is best suited for computer science needs? Processor i7 needed or i5 is ok?
Buy now or wait for the offer confirmation on result day for any deals?
Do you really get any student discounts, is it worth waiting?
Also looking for tablet/ipad as well for notes taking, but considering the costs probably would go with second land, earlier models if ipad or new android tablet
How would you compare ipad older models like 6/7/8th gen vs Samsung etc mid range tablets for general notes taking, versatile usage - should last at least 3 yrs?
Thanks
(Earlier posted in wrong forum hence reposting for more replies here)
Looking for a laptop for a university Computer science degree.
Could you recommend a laptop which is best suited for computer science needs? Processor i7 needed or i5 is ok?
Buy now or wait for the offer confirmation on result day for any deals?
Do you really get any student discounts, is it worth waiting?
Also looking for tablet/ipad as well for notes taking, but considering the costs probably would go with second land, earlier models if ipad or new android tablet
How would you compare ipad older models like 6/7/8th gen vs Samsung etc mid range tablets for general notes taking, versatile usage - should last at least 3 yrs?
Thanks
Hey,
I totally get the confusion around finding the right laptop and tablet for your Computer Science degree.
For a Computer Science degree, an Intel i5 processor should be sufficient, but an i7 would give you a bit more power and futureproofing. Just make sure the laptop has at least 8GB of RAM (preferably 16GB) and an SSD for faster performance. It might be worth waiting until result day to see if there are any student deals or back-to-school offers. Many retailers offer significant discounts around that time, so it could save you some money.
I don’t own a laptop, since I prefer to work on desktop computers. At the University of Salford, we have the option to borrow laptops for up to a week. I make use of this whenever I need it if I am going away for a bit or doing a group project on campus. I would recommend asking Lecturers or classmates if there is a similar service available at your University.
Yes, student discounts are real and can be quite beneficial. Websites like UNiDAYS and Student Beans offer discounts on electronics from various retailers. Always check for these deals before making a purchase.
For note-taking, I stick with pen and paper since I feel it's less distracting and I can get more done. However, from friends and some research, I hear both older iPad models (like the 6th, 7th, or 8th generation) and mid-range Android tablets are good options. iPads generally have better app support for note-taking with apps like Notability and the native app. However, if you’re budget-conscious, a mid-range Android tablet can also be a solid choice. Samsung tablets, for instance, offer good performance and versatility.
Hope this helps, and feel free to ask if you have more questions!
Cheers!
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative
Reply 2
I’d recommend a laptop with at least an i5 processor, though an i7 is better if you’re planning to do a lot of programming, simulations, or running virtual machines. I ended up getting a Dell XPS 13 with an i7 processor and 16GB RAM after I scored great prices on PC peripherals from a German discount site. It’s lightweight and powerful enough for multitasking, which is ideal for coursework and coding.
As for tablets, older iPads like the 7th or 8th gen are great for note-taking with the Apple Pencil and have better app support compared to most Android tablets. That said, mid-range Samsung tablets like the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite are solid if you’re on a budget. They’re good for general use, and Samsung’s S Pen is included, unlike with iPads. For deals, waiting until result day might help—student discounts often pop up around that time.
As for tablets, older iPads like the 7th or 8th gen are great for note-taking with the Apple Pencil and have better app support compared to most Android tablets. That said, mid-range Samsung tablets like the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite are solid if you’re on a budget. They’re good for general use, and Samsung’s S Pen is included, unlike with iPads. For deals, waiting until result day might help—student discounts often pop up around that time.
(edited 6 months ago)
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