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Is a Windows laptop recommended for engineering students?
How much RAM is recommended for a laptop used in computer engineering studies?
Are there specific software requirements for laptops used by science students?
I am looking for recommendations for someone going off to college to study computer science in the fall.
School's generic recommendation: current gen CPU, nVidia or Radeon graphics, 8GB, Windows or OSX (has to run Office 365)
What is the realistic lifetime of a computer bought now? 3 years? 4 years?
I am thinking:
Windows Pro
16 GB (is 32 GB desirable to support virtual machines?)
6-cell battery
i7 (9th or 10th gen?)
nVidia graphics (which one?)
Home vs Business line? -> (which model line?)
4K? 14"? 15"?
non-touch (I think that matte screen is easier on the eyes)
Warranty? Premium Support? Plus?
LAPTOP QUESTIONNAIRE
Total budget (in local currency) and country of purchase. Please do not use USD unless purchasing in the US: $2,000 or less; USA
Are you open to refurbs/used? No
How would you prioritize form factor (ultrabook, 2-in-1, etc.), build quality, performance, and battery life? Traditional laptop, great battery life, Dell brand probably (my university offers repairs).
How important is weight and thinness to you? College student so light is very helpful
Do you have a preferred screen size? If indifferent, put N/A. Not necessarily but need to carry it every day.
Are you doing any CAD/video editing/photo editing/gaming? List which programs/games you desire to run. Doubt it, but Business major so heavy Excel and Microsoft Access use. I will be a finance / data science major so also likely some data visualization software and light programming (i’d assume just on something like VS code) as well.
If you're gaming, do you have certain games you want to play? At what settings and FPS do you want? Do not plan on gaming but might play a few less intensive games rarely to destress.
Any specific requirements such as good keyboard, reliable build quality, touch-screen, finger-print reader, optical drive or good input devices (keyboard/touchpad)? Not sure what to put here but great keyboard would be helpful.
Leave any finishing thoughts here that you may feel are necessary and beneficial to the discussion. Been out of the loop with computers for some time so really need some help here to get a great laptop that will suit my needs and built to last. Thank you!