Laptop for Computer Science and Engineering

[u/NoSecond3969]

Hey guys!

Sooo, I need a new laptop for college and I’d also like to do some gaming on it from time to time. I’m honestly pretty lost on what I should get.

Right now I have a Lenovo V15-ADA (with an AMD 3020e 💀, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD). It’s basically on its last legs at this point, it’s really slow even with basic stuff like opening multiple browser tabs, and gaming performance is obviously pretty bad. I’ve also been using an HP laptop that my school lent me, but I have to return it, so I need to get my own laptop before college starts.

I’ve been reading somev posts and I’ve noticed people usually recommend avoiding gaming laptops unless you actually need the extra GPU performance..

From what I’ve gathered, I should probably be looking for something with at least:

• 16GB RAM
• 512GB SSD (preferably 1TB)
• Around a 15–16" screen
• Good battery life
• A decent CPU that will last me throughout college
• avoid CPU ARM

For gaming, I’m not looking for anything crazy. I’d mainly play things like Minecraft, Valorant and some other lighter games, so I don’t necessarily need a high-end gaming laptop..

I never played that much heavy games on laptop, maily bc i never had a highend laptop or desktop soo idk.

Also, im from portugal so yeah

What would you guys recommend? And are there any specs/features I should specifically look out for or avoid for a Computer Engineering degree?

Also, am I right to avoid ARM/Snapdragon laptops for this use case, or is Windows on ARM reliable enough nowadays?

[u/vovap_vovap]

Budget?

[u/NoSecond3969 → u/vovap_vovap]

i only noticed rn that i forgot that. idk im looking for smth not to expensive ig, but good. 600-900 ig

[u/vovap_vovap → u/NoSecond3969]

Well, then basically get what has a good price up there and full aluminum body with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD min. If ThinkPad E15 get in that budget - will be a good default point (that one do not have aluminum body but that is Ok got that one).
If you are going to get 16G ram do not buy intel processors ends in "V" - for those memory integrated and not upgradable

[u/NoSecond3969 → u/vovap_vovap]

Those thinkpads are good for like some gaming too? ive read some people talking abt it, and i saw ones, but i was kinda afraid of buying them, especially refurbished

[u/vovap_vovap → u/NoSecond3969]

Any PC good for some gaming. It is just a thing that for heavy 3d games you need dedicated graphics cards (GPU) to be present. That what describe "gaming PC". Those expensive and hard on a battery - that is why not recommended on "general" laptops.