• Hardware

  • Laptop for University (computer engineering)

Hello,

So I recently graduated High school, and I'm heading to university. I'm administedred for computer engineering, and I'll be getting a new laptop.
Can anyone here tell me what specifications I will need for this major?
I'm already interested in the Dell inspirion 7567, core i7-7700HQ, GTX 1050ti, 256Gb SSD, 1Tb HDD, 6 hrs of battery life with moderate use,
windows 10. From my personal understanding of this major, this laptop is well equiped to suit my needs for the next 5 years of being in this major, and there is probably no use for the graphics card, except if I make a project on AI. I need comfirmation on what I already know, and any extra info is welcomed. Any help and recommendtions (for laptops and computer shops) are highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Jason
Dell has no support in Lebanon anymore.. I would go for hp or lenovo.. But these are good specs.. Even if the cpu is starting to age
You don't need a GPU even in AI (unless you're going graphic heavy), the Intel HD Graphics does just fine.
The top thing you should be looking at is the size of the laptop, it needs to have a great keyboard. (A code will compile just fine with almost any computer, might just focus at your comfort)
I recommend you go to retailers and try writing on a few laptops and get the most comfortable one you find (with of course decent specs).
I'd look into HP laptops, the Envy series.
You can get one with 3 years warranty
duke-of-bytes wroteDell has no support in Lebanon anymore.. I would go for hp or lenovo.. But these are good specs.. Even if the cpu is starting to age
Dell support is now ITG group, aka (460 multimedia store)
so you can be safe, no worries.
ironman wrote
duke-of-bytes wroteDell has no support in Lebanon anymore.. I would go for hp or lenovo.. But these are good specs.. Even if the cpu is starting to age
Dell support is now ITG group, aka (460 multimedia store)
so you can be safe, no worries.
That’s good to hear.

Thanks everyone for the replies.
I would recommend you look into a laptop with good Linux support. As CS you might want to dual boot with Linux for some situations.
HP usually don't have good support for Linux. By this I mean they probably will work but some component will need extra work, especially drivers. For example I have an HP laptop, it can boot Debian as it is but the the SD card reader is slow in Linux and the fingerprint reader doesn't work (I don't use the FP reader anyway). So it should be OK, but it's still something worth considering, i guess.

Another advice from experience: you will probably work a lot on your laptop so try to get something that feels nice and has a nice big pad, etc. Good looks also help. Some entry level laptops have good specs on paper but then they are all made of cheap plastic and they are not a pleasure to use and have issues. But then it does not have to be this way - it is best you try it before buying it - it will make you a happy owner later on.

By the way, metal is much better for the environment than plastic. Plastic can takes centuries, even 1000 years to degrade, so this is a problem building up for future generations. Metal will just rust away if left for few decades. There is already way too much plastic in our environment. Every time I go to the supermarket they try to give me 10 bags of plastic, and I say no and try to bring my own reusable bags. So far it is working OK. Anyway this is off topic, and I don't think you have the luxury to pay $100 of dollars for a metal laptop. I just though it's worth mentioning.
I don't recommend you buy HP or Lenovo laptops since they generally have a below average build quality. I don't recommend MSI either.

The most rigid and good value laptops come from Asus and Dell.

Lookup the laptops that you find on notebookcheck.com they usually have thorough analysis on everything from features to quality.
mmk92 wroteI don't recommend you buy HP [...] since they generally have a below average build quality.
It depends on the model. I have an old HP EliteBook and it's built like a tank. The newer ones are also great. However the entry level ones that a student is likely to get with good specs but very few features, I'm guessing they're all plastic - like most entry level laptops. I had such an experience with an entry level Acer laptop.
rolf wrote
mmk92 wroteI don't recommend you buy HP [...] since they generally have a below average build quality.
It depends on the model. I have an old HP EliteBook and it's built like a tank. The newer ones are also great. However the entry level ones that a student is likely to get with good specs but very few features, I'm guessing they're all plastic - like most entry level laptops. I had such an experience with an entry level Acer laptop.
Do you guys have any experience with the Asus zenbooks? I’m looking into the Asus zenbook UX510UW.
Same as everyone, keyboard, trackpad, non glossy screen, and a much cooler processor than the 7700HQ, like the 8550. Then swap out the hard disk with an SSD. Intel graphics is fine!
jasson_karim wrote Do you guys have any experience with the Asus zenbooks? I’m looking into the Asus zenbook UX510UW.
Not really, I just did some research in the past and it seems to be a nice laptop.
a month later
Your best bet is Asus. PcandParts have great products if i remember correctly.