Best Laptop for University?

Lthonk on 06/11/2017 - 11:58

So I'm a student planning on entering University in 2018. I'm also planning to do a degree in computer science and need a laptop that can dual boot Linux and has at least 8gb ram (Uni requirements). I already have a powerful enough desktop build at home that can handle whatever is thrown at it so I don't think I need a laptop that's too overkill.

My budget is $1000-$1,500

What I really want in a laptop is just great build quality (metal/ aluminium construction, I hate plastic), great battery life, and has plenty of ram (preferably 16gb). I don't like type covers on a Surface.

However, it's difficult to find a laptop with these specifications that hovers around $1.5k, current options are already above the budget:

  • Razer Blade Stealth 13.3" 16gb RAM 256gb SSD With Student Discount: AU$1,979.10
  • MacBook Pro 13" 8gb RAM 128gb SSD With Student Discount: AU$1,791.90
  • Dell XPS 13 9360 Laptop 8gb RAM 128gb SSD With Student Discount: AU$1,709.10

If I don't go for the metal builds cost drops significantly. I feel like the MacBook is overpriced but it's also the most preferred laptop at the Uni.

Any better recommendations?

Thanks.

Computing

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2017 - 12:18
    +4

    In computer science, the person with the worst computer learns the most. Don't be too worried about super specs, they are mainly to handle IDE bloat. If you plan on graphic programming a nice computer is worth it, but for the fundamentals of programming, a slower computer will often teach you more about memory usage and optimisation.

    • khued on 06/11/2017 - 13:04
      +1

      good call, you won http://www.oldcomputers.net/pics/ibm-thinkpad-750c.jpg, now go be productive!

      no regrets, no fear: get as powerful a spec as you can afford. I'd rather have code compile in 1s than 10s.

      raven ridge is around the corner, so maybe hold out for couple of months and see what's on offer.

      • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2017 - 13:26
        +1

        What are your favourite ISA instruction additions in the last 20 years and why. What's your preferred dense matrix inversion technique for N>1000000? Thanks in advance. If you had your way, it would be $2000 of LED go-fast case mods. You wouldn't need to brute force compile as often if you understood what you were changing in-between.

  • jaackyy on 06/11/2017 - 13:50
    +4

    Definitely checkout the Xiaomi Air 13". Its just under $1000 AUD. Amazing specs and build quality. Charges with USB-C too, which is an added benefit.
    Comes with Chinese Windows, but you'll have no issues just reformatting it. (My friend has it, and its amazing)

    • thonk on 06/11/2017 - 14:10

      I've seen it and it looks to be a great choice, lower cost and built great. Not sure if it's reliable though. If it malfunctions or anything the device is going to be a mess to repair. Does your friend have any issues with it?

      • jaackyy on 06/11/2017 - 15:25
        +1

        That's true, but the way I justified it to my friend is that, considering a decent macbook will cost you around $1800-$2000… if there is a major malfunction.. you can essentially buy another brand new Xiaomi.. and it'd cost the same as if you had bought 1 macbook with 16gb ram. (And no my friend has not had any issues so far. He's had it for around 6months now)

        I have a macbook myself, it's great and all, however the lack of mac programs for engineering/IT it a bit of pain sometimes as I'll need to boot a windows partition. The availability of chargers from everyone who also have macs is a bonus though. but since USB-C is coming into major adoption these days, it shouldnt matter too much

  • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2017 - 14:16
    -4

    Obv Macbook Pro. Unless you want to be 'that' kid.

  • Zylam Marex on 06/11/2017 - 14:54

    Surface.

  • scotty on 06/11/2017 - 17:19
    +1

    There's an existing poll focusing on laptop for uni under $1000.

    • thonk on 06/11/2017 - 20:08

      Thank you!

  • pennypincher98 on 07/11/2017 - 20:46

    My budget is $1000-$1500

    Should I get:

    Student Price $1979.

    I'm quite certain that you can get your specs well within your $1000-$1500 range.
    My advice? While the MacBook is the people's choice for uni students, so is the iPhone. Students pay a premium for a MacBook and then people ask me how much I spent on mine that has better specs, touch screen, 2 in 1 and Windows and the answer is less each time. While it did cost me a pretty penny I figured it was worth it.

  • Silvershark on 21/01/2018 - 22:56

    Hi, I can't PM you.

    • thonk on 23/01/2018 - 13:06

      hello

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