Best Laptops For Computer Science Students 2020
The 12 Best Laptops for Computer Science Students in 2020 Reviewed
The desire of any craftsman is a good set of tools.
A mechanic needs quality wrenches, a chef needs really sharp knives, and a computer scientist has to have an excellent laptop to ply his trade.
When you go to school for comp sci you will live on your laptop. It will be your constant companion, and allow you to write, submit assignments, take notes, communicate with your professors, and of course – crank out code. It is such an important part of your studies that it is critical you choose the one that will make your studies easier not harder.
Don't have time to wade through all our deliberations? Then grab yourself a Microsoft Surface Book 2. It has the perfect combination of power and portability for most computer scientists.
Laptop Requirements For Comp Sci Students
In today's Computer Science curriculum students will learn to use software for programming in languages like C/C++/C#, as well as PHP, Java, Python, and more. While probably not as much as the laptop of an engineering student, math is still a big part of any college computer science program, so running MATLAB is a must. And with writing, spreadsheets, and database work also in store, the ability to run Microsoft Office well is non-negotiable.
Any decent computer science program will push its students, which means your laptop will need to keep up. To do that your computer should have a fast processor, lots of fast hard drive space, and as much memory as you can get. And since you will be coding into the wee hours of the night, having a quality display and a powerful graphics processor will make it easy on your sleep-deprived eyes. That means you likely won't be able to get buy with a laptop under $400 – as a budding computer professional your budget will need to be higher.
Best Laptops for Computer Science
Since comp sci students will be training in a variety of disciplines, it makes sense that they will need a well-rounded laptop. There are many portable computers that excel in one area or another, but we were searching for units that are strong competitors in every area. From that research, these are our picks for the best laptops for computer science students:
1. Microsoft Surface Book 2
This laptop has a 13.5" screen with a PixelSense display which clocks in at 3,000 x 2,000. Microsoft have stated that the hinge is much stronger when compared to the one on the first-generation Surface Book. The deck and the keyboard are the same, but it is significantly larger when compared to other laptops that have a 13.5" screen. The keyboard feels great and the level of clickiness makes it very satisfying if you need it for computer programming.
The Surface Book 2 has a pair of 3.1 USB ports and it also comes complete with an SD card reader as well. At the right-hand side of the laptop, it has a USB Type-C port and it also has a Surface Connect port as well. On the bottom of the laptop, you also have a Surface Connect port and this means that you can charge it independently. The USB Type C port is a very big addition. Microsoft have stated that it wasn't ready for full adoption and therefore missing it out on a lot of releases, so the fact that this laptop takes things one step further by coming complete with a Thunderbolt 3, makes the whole thing very, very satisfying.
The display is the best-in-class. It's colorful, crisp and brilliant. The screen actually covers 130% of the sRGB gamut, and it clocks in at 374 nits of brightness. The average is 289 nits, so you can already see what a great product this is overall. This is quite possibly one of the best college laptops around too, due to the sheer capabilities that it has to offer.
The Surface Book 2's keyboard might be on the shallow side, with 1.2mm of thickness but the touchpad is very smooth and it also uses very precision drivers. The company designed this for Windows, which means that the gestures are recognized with ease too.
- Microsoft Surface Book 2 Features a 8th generation Intel Quad Core i7 Processor, 512 GB of storage, 16 GB RAM, and up to 17 hours of video playback
- Enhanced Graphics performance with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 discrete GPU w/2GB GDDR5 Graphics Memory
- The fastest Surface Book yet, with 2x more power. Runs Windows 10 Pro
- Vibrant PixelSense Display: now available with an improved 13.5" touchscreen
- Four versatile modes of use and new USB-C port
2. Samsung Notebook 9 Pen
This laptop is stylish, and it also comes with the Whisky Lake Chip by Intel. The number of ports are nothing short of generous and you also have a very strong performance if you work in computer science. The aluminium chassis comes in a Platinum Titan color and it is stylishly etched with a diamond-cut ridge which runs along the edge. The flourish is functional to say the least and this makes it very easy to grip. The laptop is very sturdy to our feel, in fact, some might even compare it to a Chromebook. It folds smoothly to 360 degrees and the display has a couple of fantastic features.
The maximum brightness stands at 296 nits and there's even an AMOLED photo mode as well. This provides a very rich photo color that is not to be missed. It's also one of the best mid-range laptop releases out right now.
Samsung seem to have followed the belief set by Apple that thin is certainly in.
The butterfly-style keyboard is very shallow, and this makes it much more comfortable for long-term use. Part of the comfort comes down to the spacious keys, which when pressed, sink beneath the surface level of the keyboard. This improves typing accuracy and it also helps you to have a much more comfortable typing experience overall. Samsung's propensity for coming up with an explanation whenever you tap a function key is also very nice, and if you work in computer science, then you'll find shortcuts like this very useful.
- S Pen - unleash your creativity with the included, ultra-precise s Pen which never needs charging. With three interchangeable tips, you can replicate the feeling of writing, sketching, or painting with different textures. You can also use the handwriting recognition function to convert notes to text, transform sketches into diagrams, and even take screen clips.
- Convertible design - supporting a scratch-resistant metal design, An Ocean Blue color and a striking yellow Pen, The notebook 9 pen is as sleek, stylish, and versatile. Use it as a laptop or simply rotate it to tablet mode for convenient presentation Display, entertainment viewing, or browsing apps with the touchscreen.
- Fast-charging Battery - with the power to last up to 15 hours, there's no stopping your productivity. When it's time to recharge you can power up quickly, so you're right back to what you were doing.
- Multitasking performance - equipped with the Intel 8th Generation i7 Processor and Gigabit Wi-Fi, the notebook 9 pen gives you the power and the agility to be productive. Get more done by quickly and efficiently switching between apps and Windows with ease. Experience blazing speeds? from booting up to multitasking TO launching advanced programs? thanks TO the included 512GB SSD. Active Pen also detects 4, 096 levels of pressure for exceptional precision.
- Akg Audio - built with dual 5W speakers, Samsung's first PC tuned by AKG amps up your audio by delivering a powerful, cinematic-quality sound for all your movies, music and shows. Brightness - 350nit. (Outdoor Mode - 500nit)
3. Lenovo Yoga 920
Lenovo have produced a fantastic laptop and it's two-in-one as well. This means that you can transform your laptop into a tablet-like device. It's a premium product to say the least but you know that you are getting a powerful system that isn't going to let you down. If you work in computer science, then this is a must-have because the design is great. Another bonus is how thin the laptop is. You can take it with you anywhere and the sound quality is fantastic. There are many great laptops out there and they all have very good power as well. This one though stands at the top of the list as being a good investment, as it's a follow-up from the Lenovo Yoga 910. It expands on the overall design and it has the Thunderbolt 3 connectivity too. The webcam is reasonably placed, and the battery life is even longer. The laptop comes with various configurations but there aren't a confusing array of options. When you feel the weight of the laptop, you will soon find that it doesn't feel overly heavy and the nice metallic finish makes it feel very durable as well. This contributes to the overall feel and the hinges are eye-catching to say the least. There is no doubt that the strength and durability of this is off the charts and it's ideal for those who are always on the go or even for those who need a laptop that can withstand being used for long periods of time and under high intensity as well. This alone makes it the best laptop for computer science.
4. Dell XPS 13 UHD InfinityEdge
The great thing about this laptop is that it has a near-borderless display and it also has a very lightweight aesthetic as well. Dell's flagship premium model now comes in a brand-new design and it's also got much slimmer dimensions too. The classic colour scheme has stayed, and the display is stunning. The laptop comes with a much better webcam when compared and the cooling system ultimately means that you can take advantage of a stronger, but much more sustained performance. To make the laptop as thin as possible, Dell made the decision to get rid of the USB-A ports and they also swapped to a smaller battery as well. Some users may find that the older model is better as it does have the USB-A port but at the end of the day, if you want the best portability, power and design then this is one laptop that you won't want to miss out on at all. If you put the last couple of generations from this range in a line-up then there's a high chance that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference, unless you look at the CPU sticker on the back. The XPS 13 stands out however because you can easily see the slimmer profile and the better display. This is one of the many reasons why Dell are one of the best computer brands around too.
On the laptop, you will also find two Thunderbolt 3 ports. This means that you can charge your laptop or you can connect to high-speed peripherals if you want. As if that wasn't enough, you can also get the Noble Lock slot and there's a battery gauge too. This shows the charge level when you look at the series of white lights. All of these features stack up to make this laptop one of the best for those who are involved in computer science.
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7 8550U Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.0 gigahertz)
- 16GB LPDDR3 2133 megahertz; Recycle friendly: 90% of the laptop's parts can be easily recycled or reused, and the white bamboo packaging trays are 100% recyclable
- 1TB PCIe Solid State Drive
- 13.3 Inches 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) Infinity Edge touch display
- With Windows 10, you'll experience fast start ups, a familiar yet expanded Start menu, and great new ways to get stuff done
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The 12.3" screen is very crisp to this laptop and the bezels around the sides really accentuate the design overall. The laptop weighs 775g when you don't have the keyboard attached and this makes it very light to say the least. The keyboard is the same design as last years but it's got an excellent feel and the travel/stability aspect really is fantastic. The trackpad might be small, but it is very responsive. You can use a Surface Pro pen with the laptop, and this is easily one of the best styluses available. It's super precise and it has very low latency too. This means that you can easily use it with various pressure levels. It attaches to the left-hand side of the Surface Pro 7 and this is good if you want to use your laptop while you are on the go. The keyboard is excellent and the trackpad is responsive, which overall, makes this laptop a stand-out option when compared.
The Surface Connect port really does take care of the power, and the MicroSD slot which is hidden right underneath the kickstand is ideal for general use. The tablet never becomes hot to the touch and the battery life is fantastic. It should be noted that none of the components are replaceable by the user, apart from the keyboard which can be detached. One big change for this laptop is the addition of a USB-C. Finally, it looks like the modern standard for the industry is going to replace the MiniDisplay port of the older devices. You can also connect it to a USB-C power dock as well. This means that you can get the connections you need without any problems at all. It's not compatible with Thunder Bolt 3 but it's fine with most of the functions and bandwidths of the USB-C. You also have a USB-A which takes care of any of your older accessories, which is another plus.
- Next-gen, best-in-class laptop with the versatility of a studio and tablet, so you can type, touch, draw, write, work, and play more naturally
- Faster than Surface Pro 6, with a 10th Gen Intel Core Processor – redefining what's possible in a thin and light computer.
- More ways to connect, with both USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting to displays, docking stations and more, as well as accessory charging
- Standout design that won't weigh you down — ultra-slim and light Surface Pro 7 starts at just 1.70 pounds
- All-day battery life up to 10.5 hours, plus the ability to go from empty to full faster — about 80% in just over an hour
6. Acer Spin 3 Convertible
Do you want a nice 14" laptop that is capable of folding into a tablet? If so, then you have come to the right place. Here you can find out everything you need to know about this Acer Spin 3 convertible laptop, so you can make the best decision possible. This is a rare breed of laptop and it offers fantastic two-in-one capabilities. The battery life is very long, and the machine is cool under pressure. The top-firing speakers are also well above average, which makes it a stand-out choice for anyone who wants to upgrade. There aren't any real turn-offs for this laptop either. The laptop's display is very colourful, and the design is both sturdy and durable. The sleek design is smooth and although it is made out of plastic rather than aluminium, it's safe to say that there are so many options out there in the same price range that don't feel half as good as this one does. The Spin 3 is certainly a premium laptop. The flexible hinges give you the chance to convert it into a tablet or you can even convert it into a tent mode if you want. The hinges are super sturdy and the colourful display leaves nothing to be desired.
The display clocks in at around 237 nits in the brightness test and this alone shows what the device is capable of in terms of its overall display. This really is a stand-out choice if you are looking for a new laptop and you would be surprised at how much potential it has to offer when it comes to studying and computer science, purely because of the speed and functional capabilities.
7. Microsoft Surface Pro 6
This laptop is another great choice that you'll certainly want to give some consideration. Not much might have changed about the Microsoft Surface Pro over the years but this one is starting to become a real stand-out choice. The bezel is one of a kind and you also have the matte black colour option as well. The screen bezel is on the thicker side, but this ultimately means that it gives you a much better contrast between the screen overall. It sits very well on the knee and the minimal ports are a plus. The laptop comes with one of the best kickstands around, as it's capable of achieving near-180 degrees of stable articulation. The aspect ratio is 3:2 and it's got 12.3" of high-resolution as well. This alone makes it a stand-out choice if you want to read, work on documents or code. In other words, you have way more vertical headroom when compared to other laptops.
The great thing about this laptop is that it supports one of the best clip-on keyboards in the history of Windows. Sure, the keyboard doesn't come in the box but it's certainly worth investing in. The stylus for this laptop, or the Surface Pen has not been changed. It's now available in black as a colour option though and it is one of the best drawing tools out there. The biggest internal change is ultimately the fact that it's been moved to an eighth-generation Intel CPU. The result ultimately means that you get a huge boost in power. Another bonus is that you have over 90 minutes of additional battery life.
- A best in class laptop with the versatility of a studio and tablet
- More power now with the new 8th Generation Intel Core processor
- Ultra slim and light, starting at just 1.7 pounds
- All day battery life, with up to 13.5 hours of video playback
- Pair with our Signature Type Cover in luxurious Alcantara material and rich colors for a full keyboard experience
8. Newest HP Spectre x360-13t Quad Core
Stunning from every single angle and made from a single piece of metal with crystal precision, it's safe to say that this laptop is a stand-out choice for anyone who wants a fantastic laptop and at a very affordable price. The gem-cut design is expertly crafted, and it's also effortlessly connected too. You will be able to enjoy a much smoother wireless experience. There's WiFi and a Bluetooth 5.0 combo as well. This makes sure that all of your connections are solid, and it also means that they are up to 3x faster as well.
Another bonus of this laptop is that it takes the footprint of the design down by around an inch. This is fantastic when you compare it to the previous generation. It's a bit smaller than Apple's own MacBook Air 11 as well. The charging ports are nice and practical and the thickness of the laptop is phenomenal to say the least. HP haven't skimped out on the specs here. The most obvious standout would be the Intel Ice Lake CPU. It offers highlights which include a 1-Watt display that has pen and touch support and it also has the Intel Optane H10 Drive too. This has Intel's Whiz Bang Optane with an SSD. The result is incredibly impressive when you look at it and it's certainly worth the investment if you need something that will help you to handle all of your assignment work.
- - 13.3" diagonal FHD IPS micro-edge WLED-backlit touch screen with Corning Gorilla Glass NBT (1920 x 1080), HP Active Stylus - 2 Thunderbolt 3 (Data Transfer up to 40 Gb/s, Power Delivery, DP1.2, HP Sleep and Charge); 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 (HP Sleep and Charge); 1 headphone/microphone combo, Accelerometer; Gyroscope; eCompass - 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, 16 GB LPDDR3-2133 SDRAM (onboard), HP TrueVision FHD IR Camera with Dual array digital microphone, Webcam supports Windows Hello - Intel 802.11b/g/n/ac (2x2) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 Combo, Bang & Olufsen, Quad speakers, HP Audio Boost, HP Imagepad with multi-touch gesture support - NEWEST 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8550U (1.8 GHz base frequency, up to 4 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 8 MB cache, 4 cores)+Intel UHD Graphics 620 (16 GB), Windows 10 Home 64 - Dark Ash Color
9. HP Chromebook x360
This laptop has a peak brightness of 214 nits. The touch screen on this laptop is incredibly responsible and it can also measure the accuracy of your taps as well. You will have no problem swiping through all of the website pages and you can also use the on-screen keyboard to type in any URLS you want without any problems at all. The keys are very comfortable, and you can type with a very high accuracy rate as a result. It may take some time to get used to the keyboard at first, but HP are known for making exceptional keyboards. The keyboard on this laptop comes with backlit keys and it also has flat caps as well. There is a fantastic level of spacing and there is also 60g of actuation force too. The chrome-trimmed display is extra wide, and you can execute any of your Chrome OS gestures with ease. The top-firing speakers sound great and they can easily fill a good-sized room with very nice, clear audio.
The HP Chromebook is one of the fastest Chrome OS laptops around and it's ideal if you want something that can keep up with you as you program. The performance is second-to-none and it excels at running almost any application without any problems at all. This is the ideal laptop if you want something that will not lag or delay.
- ▶ Powered by the latest 8th Gen Intel Core i3-8130U 2.2GHz, up to 3.4GHz, 4M cahce, performance beats i5-7200U; smart dual-core, four-way processing performance for HD-quality computing.
- ▶ 14" diagonal FHD IPS micro-edge WLED-backlit multitouch-enabled edge-to-edge glass (1920 x 1080) Display.Intel UHD Graphics 620
- ▶ 8GB DDR4 2400 SDRAM Memory for full-power multitasking; 64GB eMMC flash memory is ideal for mobile devices and applications, providing enhanced storage capabilities, streamlined data management, quick boot-up times and support for high-definition video playback.
- ▶ 360° flip-and-fold design; Intel Wireless-AC 7265 802.11ac (2x2) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 Combo; 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C (Charging, power delivery, video, data); 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 (HP Sleep and Charge); 1 headphone/microphone combo; 1 microSD media card reader
- ▶ Chrome OS; White
10. Lenovo Flex 5
The two-toned design is very simple but at the same time, it's super eye-catching. The plastic lid comes with Lenovo's logo and it's got a grey-coloured aluminium deck as well. The island-style keyboard is very easy to use and this is ideal if you work in computer science. The laptop is on the heavier side but that really doesn't make a difference to how practical it is to carry around. The Flex 5 has some standard ports along the sides and on the left you have a HDMI output and a USB 3.0 port as well. As if that wasn't enough, you also have a USB-type C port. It's a convertible 2-in-1 and the Flex 5 can easily be used as a laptop or even as a tablet, depending on what your requirements are. The display is a touch darker when compared to others on the market, but the colours really do stand out. This laptop is ideal at showing dark shadows and this makes it ideal if you want something that will help you to really invest your money in something that is going to last you a long time and serve you well.
- With a Full HD (14") IPS touchscreen display, you'll be able to watch movies and browse the web in vivid detail from nearly every angle—whether you're lounging on the couch, or watching with a friend
- Log in to your Flex 5 instantly and securely with our fingerprint reader, making passwords an inconvenience of the past
- Featuring a top-of-the line Intel processor and a 128GB Pie SSD, you'll enjoy lightning-fast boot-ups and transfer times
- Maximum Memory Capacity: 16 GB
11. Microsoft Surface Go
The Microsoft Surface Go is better than most would imagine. It's got everything that you would love about the Surface Pro 6 but it's now in a much more economical package. There are no half-sized operational systems here and you won't have to worry about app compatibility either. Naturally of course, some compromises needed to be made here. This is especially the case when you look at the power or even the internals. That being said, this is certainly one of the best devices on the market if you work in computer science because it is easy to use and very portable. On top of this, you'll also find that you are able to watch any entertainment you need while on the go. Microsoft have knocked it out of the park with this one and it has so many great features that leave nothing to be desired. The construction of the laptop is fantastic as well and this just goes to show that Microsoft have put the effort in to try and make everything that the Surface Go has, but in a very small and convenient package. This laptop also has a fantastic display as well, with plenty of battery life, so you won't have to worry about charging on the go.
- High res 10 inch PixelSense: Display designed to be viewed, touched, and written on
- Lightest surface yet, starting at 1.15 pounds. Touch: 10 point multi touch
- All day battery life, with upto 9 hours of unplugged power. Ambient light sensor
- Runs Windows 10 Home in S Mode, streamlined for security and superior performance
- Includes multi tasking USB C, fast charging surface connect, and headphone jack. Use it in Laptop, Tablet or Studio Mode
Getting Started With Computer Science
Still not sure if studying computer science is for you? Here's a great YouTube video that outlines what it takes to have a career as a coder:
One other note – you should check in with your university to see what hardware requirements they have for comp sci students. While these machines will handle almost anything you might throw at them, if your school has some legacy software – say something that only runs on a laptop with a dvd drive – you should find out before making your final selection.
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Best Laptops For Computer Science Students 2020
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