8 Best Laptops for Computer Science Students

These days, it is challenging to pursue a degree without owning a laptop, let it be any major. Because things are becoming online, for example, students need to submit their assignments online, attempt online quizzes and tests, even sometimes the lectures are also delivered online.

Without a laptop, it becomes challenging for a student of undergraduate or above to complete his degree. At some stage, students of any major require an excellent laptop to complete their chores such as making their assignments, studying from online resources, etc.

When talking about students in computer science majors, it is not just tricky, but still, an impossible task to pursue their degree without a laptop or even with a computer with fewer specifications.

When looking at the term ‘Computer Science,’ words such as coding, making websites, programming languages, game designing, databases, etc. come to mind. All these tasks are to be done by computer science students during their study period. And for this, they must own a laptop or a computer with the best specifications.

Nowadays, finding the best laptop for yourself seems an easy task, but when you go to the market to buy one, you will come across hundreds of options. It is better to do research first, about the specifications of a laptop and which one to consider for yourself.

We are here to help you in this regard, and this guide will help you know about some essential requirements of a system;  also, we present to you some of the best-selling laptops that are considered the best laptops for computer science students.

We present below the list of best laptops for computer science students based on reviews from thousands of users. Have a look and select one for yourself.

Comparison Table

Image Product Feature Price
Top Pick
Apple MacBook Pro
Quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor Check Price
Newest Flagship Dell Inspiron Laptop
7th Generation Intel Core i7-7500U Processor Check Price
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Faster than surface pro 6, with a 10th gen intel core processor Check Price
Acer Aspire E 15 Laptop
8th generation intel core i5 processor Check Price
Lenovo Yoga C930 2-in-1 Laptop
8th generation intel core i7 – 8550U Check Price
ASUS VivoBook 15
Core i5-8265U Processor with a processing speed of 1.6 GHz. It includes 8GB of DDR4 RAM Check Price
HP ENVY 13 Laptop
8th generation intel core i7 – 8565U Check Price
Dell XPS 9570 Laptop
8th generation intel core i7 Check Price

Best Laptops for Computer Science Students 2024

Here is our list of the best laptops for Computer Science & Engineering Students. We have done extensive research before writing a review of each laptop. We hope it will definitely help you.

Best Laptops For Computer Science Students

1. Apple MacBook Pro

Apple MacBook Pro - Best Laptops For Computer Science Students 2024

Display: The MacBook Pro has a display screen of 13.3 inches, with a magnificent retina display with Truetone’s technology. It has brilliant LED backlighting and a high contrast ratio that shows the black in its darkest and white in its brightest. It supports a quarter of more colors than the regular sRGB.

Processor: The new MacBook Pro has a Quad-core processor of the 8th generation with Intel core i5. It has a speed of up to 2.8 GHz, and its rate of Turbo Boost reaches up to 4.7 GHz. This kind of processor prepares the system for handling the all-time most challenging tasks and processing pro-level jobs. Because of this kind of processor and processing speed, it is considered the best laptop to buy.

Storage: The MacBook Pro has been designed especially for performing faster than usual. It supports working with big files, running multiple apps at a time, or using virtual machines; it provides 8 GB DDR3 RAM and an additional SSD of up to 512 GB.

Graphics: The 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro model has one of the powerful integrated graphics that supports embedded DRAM up to 128 GB, through which graphics tasks get accelerated more easily. That means added time for what counts highly: creating remarkable work.

Touch Bar and Touch ID: In the Apple MacBook Pro, the top functional keys have been replaced by a Touch Bar that is more versatile and efficient. It is an automatic bar that displays options according to your current activity, such as controls of a system like brightness, volume, etc., or any typing features. It supports four different types of gestures that include tapping, holding, flicking, and sliding. The Touch ID is used to unlock the system with the fingerprint.

Specifications

BrandApple
ModelMacBook Pro
Display Size13 – inch
Display Resolution2560 x 1600 px
Operating SystemMac OS
ProcessorIntel Core i5
RAM8 GB
SSD512 GB
Weight1.37 kg
ColorSpace Grey
Graphics CardIntel Iris Plus Graphics 655
BatteryUp to 10 hours

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Pros
  • Ultra-fast performance
  • larger SSD
  • light-weighted
  • Increased battery timing
Cons
  • Slow-moving Graphics

2. Newest Flagship Dell Inspiron Laptop

Newest Flagship Dell Inspiron Laptop - One of the best laptops for computer science students

Processor: The best laptop for computer science students is one that comprises a high processing speed so that they can efficiently run their programming software and carry on with their coding and debugging while playing high-powered games during leisure time. The Flagship Dell Inspiron has a processing speed of up to 3.5 GHz and 4M Cache and is accompanied by a 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7500U Processor.

Camera: Dell Inspiron comes with a built-in 720P Webcam infrared camera with a Dual Digital Microphone Array to picture your crucial moments in a Widescreen HD touch display screen. The login is effortless and secure, which does not require a password because it is combined with Windows Hello, adding additional security and accessibility. 

Audio and Video: The High-End Dell Inspiron is accompanied by Stereo speakers efficiently modified with MaxxAudioR Pro that delivers high-definition audio and pairs with AMD Radeon R7 M445 Graphics with graphics storage of 4G GDDR5 that provides a high-resolution display. This laptop is considered an all-in-one Laptop that includes a power-packed performance and a stylish and sleek look.

Specifications

BrandDell
ModelDell Inspiron
Display Size15.6 – inches
Display Resolution1920 x 1080 px
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home
Processor Intel Core i7-7500U
RAM16 GB, DDR4
SSD1 TB
Weight5.12lb
Wireless802.11ac
Graphics CardAMD Radeon R7 M445
Battery42 WHr, 3 – Cell Battery

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Pros
  • It includes a backlit keyboard
  • The body is made up of aluminum and gives a sleek look.
  • HD touch screen with a display of sharp 4K
  • Speedy performance with high storage
Cons
  • It has reduced battery life.
  • It does not include a DVD drive.
  • Rigid and stiff keyboard

3. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – 12.3″ Touch-Screen

Microsoft Surface Pro - Best laptop for computer science professionals 2024

Processor: The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a versatile laptop because it is convertible in 3 different modes: laptop mode, studio mode, and tablet mode. It is accompanied by the processor of 10 Generation and intel core i3, i5, and i7. There is not much difference in each of them but just a little variation from the previous one.

The Core i3 can smoothly run any compiler and code interpreter, whereas the Core i5 is multitasking, and you can run virtual machines over it as well, but they are restricted to 1 or maybe 2. The higher processor, such as the core i7 with 8 GB RAM, can run more than two virtual machines and other software without lagging.   

Display and Design: The display screen is 12.3 inches while its display resolution is 2736 x 1824, which means extra space on the screen, so most of the code will be visible to you and you won’t need to scroll repeatedly.

Its thin and sleek look redefines its existence, and its color variations of platinum and matte black give it a professional look. The package comprises a colorful surface Cover to keep it protected and a surface pen to use the touch screen. 

Memory: The new Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is considered among the best budget laptops for students because it comes in different RAM and hard drive storage variations so that students can buy it according to their budget. The RAM variations include 4GB up to 16 GB while hard drive storage ranges from 128 GB up to 1 TB.

Specifications

BrandMicrosoft
ModelMacBook Pro
Display Size12.3 inches Touchscreen with pen input
Display Resolution2736 x 1824
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home
ProcessorIntel Core i7 / i5 / i3
RAM4 GB / 8GB / 16 GB
SSD128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB
Weight1.37 kg
ColorsPlatinum, Matte black
Graphics CardIntel Iris Plus Graphics (i7 / i5) Intel UHD Graphics (i3)
BatteryUp to 10.5 hours
WirelessWi-Fi, Bluetooth

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Pros
  • Different modes for different situations.
  • Best laptop to buy because of its versatility.
  • Day-long battery life.
Cons
  • It has extra accessories such as a surface pen, surface mouse, etc. that do not include in it, but they need to buy separately.

4. Acer Aspire E 15 Laptop

Acer Aspire E 15 Laptop - Best budget laptop for students in 2024

Processor: Its processing speed is more powerful than most laptops. It features an 8th generation intel core i5 processor that lets you enjoy your coding and debugging on heavy software, and its long battery life enables you to use it nonstop. It is one of the best laptops for a computer science student on a budget.

Easy Access: The new Acer Aspire E 15 Laptop is easily upgradeable. It consists of a compartment door to conveniently upgrade or increase its memory and hard drive storage with much ease. 

Audio and Graphics: Full HD screen resolution with NVIDIA GeForce MX150 Graphics accompanied with additional discrete video memory of 2 GB keeps you entertained while watching movies and songs and focused while preparing assignments and projects. The speaker’s design is such a way that it reduces distortion and increases the volume with the delivery of a wide range of bass.

Specifications

BrandAcer
ModelAspire E15
Display Size15.6 inches
Display Resolution1920 x 1080 pixels
Operating SystemWindows 10
ProcessorIntel Core i5
Processor Speed1.6 GHz
Processor Count4
RAM8 GB
SSD256 GB
Weight5.27 pounds
Colorblack
Graphics CardNVIDIA GeForce MX150
BatteryUp to 10.5 hours
WirelessWi-Fi 802.11 ac

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Pros
  • Affordable and best cheap laptop for studentsnExcellent battery timingsnThe display resolution is higher.n
Cons
  • Storage hard drive is less, but it is upgradeable.nHeavyn

5. Lenovo Yoga C930 2-in-1 13.9″ 4K UHD Touch-Screen Laptop

Lenovo Yoga C930 2 - best 2 in 1 laptop for a computer science student

Design and Display: The body is made up of premium aluminum to give it a style and twice to polish its touch perception. The system of Lenovo Yoga C930 2-in-1 is 360o rotating and a flip-and-flop model. It has a soundbar that rotates around its axis and has a speaker system of Dolby Atmos.

This laptop comprises an ultra HD touchable screen with a 4k HD display of 13.9 inches wide. It has a display resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, LED backlights, and IPS technology, and its creation is for Windows Ink.  

Performance and Processor: The new Lenovo Yoga C930 has the processor of 8th  generation intel core i7 – 8550U, which pairs with RAM of 12 GB and hard drive storage of 256 GB (PCIe NVMe), which makes it a brilliant performer for a computer science student. Its reliability was tried and tested, and it can run 10-12 1080 px videos and MATLAB at the same time without lagging.

Other features: The Lenovo Yoga C930 includes three ports; 1 x USB 3.0 type A port and 2 x Thunderbolt3 ports. It also contains a headphone jack, Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in webcam, a stylus, and a backlit keyboard.

Specifications

BrandLenovo
ModelLenovo Yoga C930
Display Size13.9 inches
Display Resolution3840 x 2160
Operating SystemWindows 10
ProcessorIntel Core i7
Processing speed4 GHz
RAM16 GB
SSD1 TB
Weight3 pounds
ColorsGrey
Graphics CardIntel UHD Graphics 620
BatteryUp to 10 hours
WirelessWi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth

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Pros
  • It is convertible into a tablet.
  • It has a long battery life of 10 hours.
  • Sleek and slim design
Cons
  • It excludes CD Drive.
  • Its GPU is weak

6. ASUS VivoBook 15 X509FJ-EJ501T – Compact and Light Laptop

ASUS VivoBook 15 X509FJ-EJ501T - Best lightweight laptop for students 2024

Performance and Processor: ASUS VivoBook 15 X509 is among the world’s smallest laptops and the best laptop for computer science students. It is an all-rounder because of its power-packed performance despite being small. It comprises the latest Intel Core i5-8265U Processor with a processing speed of 1.6 GHz.

This includes 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a hard drive PCIEG3x2 NVME 512GB M.2 SSD. You can code swiftly and efficiently all day long and play massive games enthusiastically all night long over it. ASUS X509 supports the fast loading of apps and software and is a great multitasker.  

Design and Display: ASUS VivoBook 15 X509 has a vast screen of 15 inches and has a Nano Edge display that gives the experience of a big screen to get focused during studies. It has a fingerprint panel of sensor-3 in the touchpad, through which you can go into Windows Hello without typing passwords. Its ergonomically designed keyboard with 1.4 mm key travel gives an enjoyable experience while typing.  

Other features: It includes 4 USB ports in total, 2 of which are USB 2.0 ports, while the other 2 are USB 3.0 ports. It features fast charging technology, and it gets ultimately set in less than 2 hours.

Specifications

BrandASUS
ModelASUS VivoBook 15 X509
Display Size15 inches
Display Resolution1920 x 1080
Operating SystemWindows 10
ProcessorIntel Core i5
Processing speed3.6 GHz
RAM8 GB
SSD512 GB
Weight1.9 kg
ColorsGrey
Graphics CardNVIDIA GeForce MX230
WirelessWi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth

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Pros
  • It is affordable for students, and it is the best buy laptop for CS students.
  • Slim and Strong design
  • It is lighter in weight.
Cons
  • Heavy graphics are not supported
  • Low battery life

7. HP ENVY 13-13.99 Inches Thin Laptop w/ Fingerprint Reader

HP ENVY 13 - One of the Best Laptops For Computer Science Students in 2024

Design and Display: Skinny and lightweight body made of metal stuff. It is accompanied by a 13-inch screen 3-sided micro-edge display and 4k resolution that lifts your entertainment and keeps you attentive while developing apps.

It includes a fingerprint sensor besides a mouse touchpad that ensures the security and privacy of the user. This laptop has a non-breakable and scratch-resistant touchscreen guarded by corning gorilla glass to make sure that you can carry it wherever you want without fear of breaking it.

Performance and Processor: The new HP Envy 13 Laptop has the processor of 8th generation intel core i7 – 8565U, combined with RAM of 16 GB and hard drive storage space of 512 GB, which makes it a great performer for a computer science student.

Other features: The HP Envy 13 comprises a Webcam Kill Switch that covers the laptop’s camera to ensure privacy and makes sure any third-party software or website does not use the camera. This laptop comes with speakers tuned by Audio by Band and Olufsen that sense every minor moment and enrich the experience of using this laptop.

Specifications

BrandHP
ModelHP Envy 13
Display Size13.3 inches
Display Resolution3840 x 2160
Operating SystemWindows 10
ProcessorIntel Core i7
Processing speed4 GHz
RAM16 GB
SSD512 GB
Weight2,60 pounds
ColorsGrey
Graphics CardNVIDIA GeForce MX250
BatteryUp to 12 hours and 45 minutes
WirelessWi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth

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Pros
  • Elegant and sleek look.
  • Highly portable
  • High-quality audio system
Cons
  • Its battery is affected by the 4K touchscreen.

8. Dell XPS 9570 Laptop

Dell XPS 9570 Laptop - Best budget laptops for computer science students

Design and Display: Here comes another small laptop with just 15.6 inches of borderless display screen. An excellent point of interest is that with the FHD show (1920 x 1080), you can see each pixel’s detail without expecting to zoom in.

Its body is excellent from any point; it has an anti-glare screen that pairs with the brightness of superior 400-nit, which ensures its bright screen is visible even in outdoors so that you can use it in your campus garden as well. The Adobe RGB colors of this laptop are 100%, which is why the smoother appearance of images.

Performance and Processor: The new Dell XPS 9570 Laptop contains the processor of 8th  generation Intel core i7, which links with RAM of 16 GB and a hard drive storage area of 512 GB, which makes it a fantastic performer for a computer science undergraduate student. It is one of the best budget laptops for computer science students.

Other features: It includes the sound system of Waves MaxxAudio that boosts the volume to the highest level and purifies every tone of the beat, so you enjoy the sound of studio quality. The laptop features The Killer 1535 Wireless-AC adapter gives a stable and dependable Wi-Fi connection and is planned explicitly to make your online recordings, voice, and gameplays quicker and smoother.

Specifications

BrandDell
ModelDell XPS 9570
Display Size15.6 inches
Display Resolution1920 x 1080
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home
ProcessorIntel Core i7
Processing speed4.1 GHz
RAM16 GB
SSD512 GB
Weight4.41 pounds
ColorsGrey
Graphics CardNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
WirelessWi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth

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Pros
  • Its overall performance is super astonishing.
  • Elegant and sophisticated display
  • Its cooling system is of top-notch quality.
Cons
  • The webcam place is a weird position.

Buyer’s Guide of The Best Laptops For Computer Science Students

Being a computer science student, you must be aware of the essential system requirements, but still, if you are not, then this buyer’s guide is for you. We have shortlisted below a list of the few most important things to be considered to choosing a laptop for yourself. A laptop with these recommended system requirements will allow you to download or run most of your curriculum’s software smoothly.

CPU: For computer science students, a laptop with Intel core i5 and i7 would be the best choice as they feature a powered speed of processor.

Display: Choosing the right display size and resolution is an essential feature of the laptop for a computer science student. Because you need to spend half of your day staring over the laptop screen to perform your tasks, you must go for a display size above 13 inches, and the resolution must be HD (Above 1440 x 900).

Conclusion

At the end of this list of best laptops for computer science students, you must have found your ideal laptop for yourself in your budget and according to your required specifications. We tried to put those laptops that are affordable and best-buy laptops for computer science students and with zero cons, but nothing is perfect, so we chose those with minimum cons. 

FAQs

If I run massive programs on my laptop continuously for a long time, will my computer get heated up?

It depends on the specifications of the laptop. Usually, a computer gets heated up while running massive programs for extended hours, but few laptops cool off efficiently. So, if you are a computer science student, then you must run massive programs, this list of best laptops for computer science students contains such efficient laptops.

Which one is best: SSD or HDD?

Being a student of computer science, you must be compiling hundreds of lines of code and using applications of machine learning such as MATLAB, then you must go for SSD because it speeds up the workflow significantly.

Is the gaming laptop designed only for gamers? Should a non-gamer buy it?

No, the gaming laptop is not necessarily used only by gamers. If you do not play many games and still want to buy a gaming laptop, then you can have it because the performance of a gaming laptop is much better than a non-gaming laptop. They are equipped with vital specifications and can support massive programs.

What type of laptop does a computer science student need?

No laptop is perfect for any field, but for a student of computer science major, you must know why you will require a computer. When you get to know about your usage of a laptop, it will be easier for you to choose from many choices. Refer to the below-mentioned buyer’s guide to find the best laptop for computer science students and learn about the specifications of a computer that is recommended for computer science students.