I'm about to start studying computer science here in France and I'm looking to buy a laptop for my courses. I was initially interested in the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Gen 9 Aura Edition, but I've received a great offer from a family member for some other options. I can get the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro (13.3", i5, 8GB) for around 300 to 500 euros and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 (i5, 16GB) for about 400 to 600 euros. Given the pricing and specifications, I'm not sure which laptop would be best suited for my studies. Both have their pros and cons, but I'm concerned if 8GB of RAM in the Samsung would be sufficient. Any advice would be really helpful since I'm feeling a bit lost on this decision!
6 Answers
If you're looking for longevity, a MacBook Air with M4 and 16GB/512GB storage should last you for years!
I agree; if macOS is an option for you, it may outlast your other choices.
Check if your school has specific requirements or recommendations for laptops. In the US, educational institutions provide this information well in advance. I recommend sticking with Intel or AMD processors for maximum compatibility, as ARM-based systems may cause issues for you.
Honestly, none of the laptops you've mentioned seem robust enough for serious computer science work. Relying on cloud computing can be risky; ideally, you want a laptop that can handle tasks offline. The Lenovo might be your only option, but it might be worth thinking about someone sturdy in that price range.
The more RAM, the better! Most software development tools are quite demanding memory-wise. So, I really recommend aiming for 16GB.
For deep learning tasks, a good GPU and plenty of RAM (ideally 16GB) can greatly enhance performance, especially for virtualization needs. If your focus isn't on training models, then prioritizing RAM is your best bet.
What about a MacBook? They tend to handle development tasks well.
I appreciate the suggestion, but I'm not really a fan of Apple products, and I'm focused on the laptops I mentioned.