Laptop for a 4-year Physics course

Starting Physics with Astro this fall and wanted to know what specs would be better to get.
1. 13" or 14" or 15" screen
2. 8 or 16GB RAM
3. 256, 512 or 1TB storage

Is there a preference in terms of OS? Would a MacOS be better than Windows or the other way around? Also, which is the best place to get one in the UK?

Reply 1

Scienceisgood

It depends entirely on you and if this is for uni, I wouldn't worry about storage space as all university email addresses come with an Outlook account and by default, a online 1TB storage system, so, add your laptop's internal storage and any physical storage (USBs, hard drives etc...) you have and you'll have more than you need.

The rest is personal preference. Personally I have a gaming laptop (which is nearing he end of its lifespan as it's now six years old) but it is still doing well since I replaced the battery.

Reply 2

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post

by AltoPico

Starting Physics with Astro this fall and wanted to know what specs would be better to get.
1. 13" or 14" or 15" screen
2. 8 or 16GB RAM
3. 256, 512 or 1TB storage
Is there a preference in terms of OS? Would a MacOS be better than Windows or the other way around? Also, which is the best place to get one in the UK?

Hi,

Congrats on starting your Physics with Astrophysics course this fall! Choosing the right laptop can make a huge difference, and it’s great that you’re thinking about this now. Here are some thoughts on the specs:

Screen Size: A 13” or 14” screen is really handy if you’re planning to carry your laptop around campus a lot - it’s portable and light. But if you prefer more screen space for multitasking, like running simulations or going through detailed diagrams, a 15” screen could be a better fit. It just depends on what feels more comfortable for you!

RAM: I’d recommend going with 16 GB of RAM if you can. While 8 GB is enough for everyday tasks, 16 GB will give you more breathing room for running heavier software, which you might encounter in your physics and astrophysics work. It’s great for multitasking too.

Storage: A 512 GB SSD is a solid choice for most students. It gives you plenty of space for your software, documents, and research data. If you think you’ll be dealing with a lot of large files (like high-res images or videos) then going for 1 TB might be worth it. But for most academic needs, 512 GB should do the trick.

Regarding the operating system, it’s really about what you’re comfortable with. MacOS is known for its smooth performance and is great for certain types of coding and creative work. However, Windows laptops often offer better compatibility with a wider range of scientific and academic software. Plus, you usually get more bang for your buck with Windows in terms of specs.

As for buying your laptop, it’s worth looking into student discounts. Apple’s Education Store, the Microsoft Store, Currys, John Lewis, and even Amazon offer good deals around the back-to-school season.

By the way, if you find yourself needing a laptop temporarily, at the University of Salford, we have a handy service where you can borrow a laptop for up to four weeks. It's super useful if you’re waiting to get a new one or if you need something extra for group projects or travel. Maybe your Uni offers something similar!

Good luck with your studies and finding the perfect laptop!
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative

Reply 3

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by AltoPico

Starting Physics with Astro this fall and wanted to know what specs would be better to get.
1. 13" or 14" or 15" screen
2. 8 or 16GB RAM
3. 256, 512 or 1TB storage
Is there a preference in terms of OS? Would a MacOS be better than Windows or the other way around? Also, which is the best place to get one in the UK?

Screen size is less important, especially if you get a second monitor for your room.

8GB should be ok, ofc 12 or 16 would be better (as with anything it’s cost-benefit… depends on your finances).

Storage, id prioritise an SSD rather than a high storage. Make sure minimum 256GB but 500GB should be ample, youll be better off using a cloud storage system such as onedrive for work/uni files.

You can always get an external storage drive if you want a backup.

Mac or windows will be ok, id say windows has more software so probably the better route, a lot of applied physics software codes are also linux based as they are open source. Of course you can partition either computer route if you want access to these codes.