Student Computer Recommendation(s)

When buying a laptop, brand is all up to you (HP, Dell, Asus, Lenovo, etc.). At this point there is marginal difference in brand quality; what is important is what you need it to do and the hardware inside of it.  

Windows-Based Laptops 

Important Minimum Specs:

Traditional Student/Classes     Example: Lenovo ThinkBook 15

• Processor – Intel Core i5/ Ryzen 5 

• Memory – 16 GB  

• Hard Drive – 256 GB SSD 

Computer Science/Graphic Arts/Gaming     Example: Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 

• Processor – Intel Core i7/ Ryzen 7

• Memory – 16 GB 

• Hard Drive – 256/512 GB SSD 

NOT RECOMMENDED 

• Chromebook 

• Any other web-based operating system PC 

Mac-Based Laptops 

Important Minimum Specs:

Traditional Student/Classes     Example: MacBook Pro 

• Processor – M2/Intel Core i5 

• Memory – 16 GB  

• Hard Drive – 256 GB 

Computer Science/Graphic Arts/Gaming     Example: MacBook Pro

• Processor – M2/Intel Core i7 

• Memory – 16/32 GB 

• Hard Drive – 256/512 GB 

Other considering factors include battery life (important if you have several classes in a row or are in locations with few outlets), weight, number/type of ports to connect your other devices, and finally price. In the end its all about preference but these are good rule of thumbs to go by when looking for a college laptop.