Best Laptops For Computer Science Students

07 Jul 2022, by Danielle Slauter, min. read

Grab the best laptop for your computer classes.

Studying in computer science has become a popular major in recent years, especially with their professional skills being in high-demand on the job market. If you’ve decided to take the plunge into studying computer science, you’re going to need a laptop that keeps up. That’s why it’s important to have a good laptop for computer science.

These are the best laptops for computer science majors—and all of them are eligible for savings from Student Beans. Getting the best laptop for computer science students is important since all of your assignments and schoolwork will be done on in one spot: your laptop. Find the perfect fit for all your academic needs!

Features Of The Best Laptops For Computer Science Students

CPU

This is the heart of your computer. It does all the heavy lifting, so you’re going to need something that will handle anything you throw at it. A good rule of thumb is to get an Internal Core I series processor. These are found in models like MacBook Pros.

GPU

Having a solid graphics card is important for any laptop, but this is crucial if you’re majoring in computer science. A lot of your courses will require you to do heavy gaming or video editing, so ensure your GPU is one of the latest models.

RAM

RAM is what’s used when you’re running multiple programs on your computer at once without slowing down. That means more RAM = a faster laptop. Get at least 16GB, but some higher-end models can boast up to 32GB!

Storage

All your assignments and work needs to live somewhere on your computer. Since your entire curriculum will be on your laptop, get at least 256GB of storage. If you’re worried 256GB won’t be enough, you can always get an external hard drive for extra space.

Battery

You don’t want to be charging your laptop all the time, so a solid battery life is important. Try and find one that you can use for at least 8 hours, but plenty of models can offer up to 20 hours of battery life!

Screen Size

This is more of a personal preference, but definitely something to consider. If you’re going to be working a lot outside of class, you might want a bigger screen at around 17-inches. But if you’re going to be taking your laptop to class a lot, opt for a smaller size like 13 or 14-inches.

Operating System

Most computer science courses were designed to be done on Windows 11. If you insist on using a Mac, make sure you can get Windows 11 via Bootcamp.

1. ASUS ROG Strix G15 — $1,799.99

This laptop has all the things you could possibly need for your computer science studies. It’s great if you’re just starting out in computer science, as it has plenty of features perfect for computer programming. You’ll be able to get through all your coursework, and the design is super sleek. Plus, it’s a price that’s right in the middle of most budgets, making it a solid option for all computer science students.

What’s in the box

ROG backpack
FHD 1080P@60FPS external camera
ROG Impact Gaming Mouse
TYPE-C, 100W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 5A, 100W, Input: 100~240V AC 50/60Hz universal

Technical specs

Operating system: Windows 10
RAM: 16GB
Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 7 4800H Mobile Processor
Storage: 512GB
Screen resolution: 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 15.6-inches
Screen type: LED
Battery life: 8 hours
Battery type: 56WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion
Audio connections: Dolby Atmos
Webcam: FHD 1080P@60FPS external camera
Colors: Black

Pros

Plenty of storage
Lightning fast speed

Cons

Lower battery life

Get 6 free months of Amazon Prime with Student Beans

2. Apple MacBook Pro — $1,999.00

If you want the fastest processor, consider getting a MacBook Pro as a computer science student. Apple is also known for having great quality speakers, which is a must if you’re going to be working on audio with your computer science projects, too. The M-series chip will handle a huge workload without slowing down, meaning you can jump between applications and projects without missing a beat.

What’s in the box

MacBook Pro
USB-C charging cable
61W USB-C Power Adapter

Technical specs

Operating system: iOS
RAM: 8GB
Processor: 8-core GPU
Storage: 256GB
Screen resolution: 1680 x 1050
Screen size: 13.3-inch
Screen type: LED
Battery life: 20 hours
Battery type: 58.2-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
Audio connections: Stereo speakers with high dynamic range
Webcam: 720p FaceTime HD camera
Colors: Space gray or silver

Pros

Insanely fast
Beautiful display
Brilliant speakers

Cons

Touch bar is annoying
Few ports

Save $100 at Apple with Student Beans

Discount

3. HP 15 Envy — $1,549.99

Boasting a powerful CPU and amazing graphics card, you’ll be able to handle any task for your computer science course load. Running multiple applications will be a breeze, and the display means you’ll be able to easily see your work. The touchpad is also incredibly responsive, which is perfect if you don’t want to take all of your laptop accessories with you on the go each time you go out. Computer science majors boast that this is one of the best laptops to get when you’re studying computer science at college.

What’s in the box

HP 15 ENVY
Charging cable

Technical specs

Operating system: Windows 11 Home
RAM: 16 GB DDR4-3200 MHz
Processor: Intel Core i7
Storage: 512 GB Intel® PCIe® NVMe™ M.2
Screen resolution: 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 15.6-inch
Screen type: LED
Battery life: 8.5 hours
Battery type: 83 Wh Li-ion polymer
Audio connections: Audio by Bang & Olufsen; Dual speakers
Webcam: HP Wide Vision 720p HD camera with camera shutter
Colors: Natural Silver Aluminum

Pros

Unrivaled computing power
Fingerprint sensor
Great keyboard feel

Cons

Small number of ports
Lower battery life

Save up to 45% at HP with Student Beans

Discount

4. Razer Blade 14 — $1,999.99

With 16GB of RAM, the Razer Blade 14 is a complete power house for computer science majors. But with all that power, comes the downside of a lower battery life, which can be a make or break factor if you’re a computer science student. However, you can’t argue with 1 TB of memory to use, which will ensure all your computer science coursework is housed in one place. Plus, if you want to be able to do some gaming on the side, Razer will ensure you can have equal power when it comes to work or play.

What’s in the box

Razer Blade 14
Charging cable

Technical specs

Operating system: Windows 11
RAM: 16 GB DDR5-4800MHz
Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 9 6900HX Processor
Storage: 1TB SSD
Screen resolution: 1920 x 1080
Screen size: 14-inch
Screen type: LED
Battery life: 5 hours
Battery type: Built-in 61.6WHr rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery
Audio connections: Built-in stereo speakers
Webcam: N/A
Colors: Black

Pros

Huge amount of memory
Anti-ghosting touchpad
No lag

Cons

Shorter battery life

Save up to 15% at Razer with Student Beans

5. Samsung Galaxy Book Pro — $1009.99

If you need a laptop as a computer science major and are on a budget, the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro checks off all the boxes. You’ll still be able to run multiple applications without experiencing any lag, and the AMOLED screen will give you a crystal clear image every time. Plus, with two different types of ports (USB-A and USB-C), you’ll be able to plug all your devices into your laptop with ease. If you’re nervous about investing thousands of dollars in a laptop as a computer science major, we recommend getting this laptop for your studies.