what kind of computer do i need for a computer science course

by Miss Marilyne Harber 7 min read

Best Laptop for Computer Science:

  • 13+” display (768p min, <= 1080p)
  • Basically any Intel CPU
  • If you will be compiling often, go for better CPUs
  • 3GB RAM minimum
  • 32GB SSD to 250+GB HDD
  • Decent battery life
  • Can run Linux (Chromebooks with Intel CPUs will work)
  • Under $450

A standard Windows or Mac laptop is good enough for the first two years of computer science classes. It may not have the best performance, but it will definitely be good enough.

What classes are needed for Computer Science?

  • Important Facts About Careers in Computer Science & Software Engineering
  • Undergraduate Degrees. Students interested in computer science or software engineering careers generally choose to pursue an undergraduate degree program in a related field.
  • Graduate Degrees. ...
  • Career Outlook. ...

What are the best online schools for Computer Science?

The Best Online Bachelor's in Computer Science Programs

  • Southern New Hampshire University. ...
  • Davenport University. ...
  • Oregon State University. ...
  • Regis University. ...
  • University of Illinois at Springfield. ...
  • Central Methodist University. ...
  • Saint Leo University. ...
  • Lewis University. ...
  • National University. ...
  • Baker College. ...

What are the requirements for a career in Computer Science?

  • Software engineering
  • Experimental design
  • Algorithms
  • Databases
  • Modeling

What can you do with a computer science degree?

  • Network Architects
  • Programmers
  • Systems Analysts and Administrators
  • Database Administrators
  • Computer and Information Research Scientists
  • Security Analysts
  • Web Developers
  • UX Digital Designers.

MacBook, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air?

Recommended: MacBook Pro, Minimum: MacBook Air Apple created three product lines for laptops. The MacBook and MacBook Air are suitable for users wh...

How Much CPU Do I Need?

Recommended: i7 Chip An i7 chip is needed for computer science classes. However, be aware you have higher financial costs, but more power. For regu...

How Much Storage Should I Get?

Recommended: 512 GB, Minimum: 256 GB, Overkill: 1 TB As for storage, 1 TB would be way more than enough while 128 GB would not be sufficient. Mac u...

What Screen Size Should I Choose?

Recommended: 15 inches, Minimum: 13 inches As a computer science student, you will have multiple windows open, such as a window full of code, a win...

How Much Memory Do I Need?

Recommended: 16 GB, Minimum: 8 GB, Overkill: 32GB In general, 8 GB of memory is the minimum recommended. Running multiple programs like development...

Which GPU Should I Get?

Recommended: AMD Radeon, Minimum: Intel Graphics, Overkill: External Graphics Card Mac uses either an Intel Iris Plus graphics card or an extra dis...

What Software Do I Need?

Grand Canyon University provides its students with a lot of powerful free software that otherwise would be very expensive. For instance, you do not...

What are the specs of a computer science laptop?

Specs for Computer Science laptops are based on what computers can run Eclipse , a commonly used editing platform. Eclipse's rather meager list of specs is proof that even 8-year-old laptops have no problems coding. 13+” display (768p min, <= 1080p) Basically any Intel CPU.

How many watts does a gaming laptop need?

Visit manufacturer webpages and check out the pack capacity in Wh (watt-hours) for specific models. You’ll want over 60Wh for a beefy PC—dedicated graphics are power hungry.

Which is better, Acer or Asus?

Also, while the Acer models all stuff lots of hardware into a cheap chassis, Asus generally has a better quality look and feel. It's also lighter, thinner, and more power-efficient. It comes with an empty 2.5" bay for extra storage. The Asus gaming laptop.

Which is the most powerful processor under $1200?

If you're after uncompromised processing power, this machine has your back. The quad core 8-thread i7-6700HQ is a beast. This option definitely has the most powerful processor under $1200. You can always replace the HDD with an SSD on your own.

Do engineers need PC hardware?

Engineering professionals on the go often need some incredibly powerful PC hardware. Needless to say, if you need 0 compromises on power, affordability and mobility both fly out the window.

Can I use AutoCAD on an ECE laptop?

These specs for EE/ECE laptops are based on which laptops can run AutoCAD Electrical. This is the most demanding PCB design software I could find and it's still not very demanding. Computer-focused people will have the same coding needs as CS folks, plus the need to use light graphical tools for designing boards.

What is the standard equipment for PhD students?

For what it’s worth, our standard equipment for incoming PhD students in my lab is a MacBook Pro, either 13” or 15” based on student preference. And nobody uses desktops any more. You can get a big monitor at home to plug into if you like (they’re really cheap). Laptops are powerful enough for everything but crunching neural nets on GPUs, and you’ll need a dedicated GPU box, likely provided by the university or lab.

Is software development better than Apple?

Secondly, if you want to do programming, the software development tools are far better and more diverse in the Windows world than in the Apple/Mac world. Thirdly, if you want to do anything involving hardware, you can even put together your own Windows desktop, and upgrade various parts of it as you like.

Is a Dell XPS 13 good for CS?

Dell xps 13 could be an extremely good substitute for Macbook pro, thinking about you double boot with Linux and Windows. Similarly, other laptop computers like Dell Inspiron and Lenovo ThinkPads will also be good.

Do CS classes stress your computer?

In terms of hardware, few classes will actually stress your computer to the point where processors overheating becomes an issue and for CS classes that require a lot of computing power for simulations or graphics, most students use the computers in the labs.

Do you need a laptop to go to college?

While having a laptop in college is not a requirement, I definitely recommend that students bring one just in case they need to use a computer while in their dorm room. As for the type of computer, the best, short answer that I can give is for you to bring the laptop that you are most comfortable using, because you won't have to do anything on your ...

What do you need to know to become a computer science major?

Computer science majors must study calculus to earn their degrees, and other relevant math courses include statistics and linear algebra. Introductory computer science classes cover topics like algorithm design, computer organization and abstract data types. After students develop a strong foundation in the major, ...

What do you study in computer science?

Students in a computer science major enter the dynamic world of technology, studying topics like artificial intelligence, software design and computer graphics. By the time majors complete their degrees, they will have the skills to examine complex problems with computer tools.

What Can I Do With a Computer Science Major?

A major in computer science can open positions in data analytics, web development and consulting, for example, and jobs are available at companies ranging in size from small startups to large corporations. Students can also consider graduate study in the field, including master’s options for those interested in industry positions and doctorate paths for those more likely to pursue research. Job opportunities in computer science are on the rise, so majors should have plenty of options.

Is computer science a good career?

Even if you don’t see yourself becoming a researcher, computer science could still be a good choice. Career paths in the field span industries from fashion to information technology, with jobs available in data science, software engineering, application development and more.

What are the skills required for computer science?

On his list are maturity, math proficiency, problem-solving skills, and critical-thinking skills. He also suggests, if you aren’t sure what area of computer science you’d like ...

How to choose a computer science degree?

Before you can decide which computer science degree program to enter, you’ll first need to decide where you see yourself working and what you see yourself doing. Do you prefer to work alone or with people? Do you want to build programs or keep them running? Do you want to analyze data or protect it? As you can tell, you have many options so the best way to answer this question is to take a look at popular degree programs and what they may lead to. In doing so, you’ll also learn how to study computer science in an intentional way based on your career goals .

What to do if you aren't sure what area of computer science you want to get into?

He also suggests, if you aren’t sure what area of computer science you’d like to get into, to participate in local programming competitions or ‘hack-a-thons,’ or even join local clubs that will expose you to the technology and people in the field.

Why do companies need to consider data security?

This means companies of all sizes need to consider the safety of data, which, for example, often includes personal customer information. When hacks happen, thousands of people worry about their data being compromised or falling into the wrong hands. This has led to a greater need than ever for companies to build trust with consumers and, as a result, the sharp rise in the demand for skilled workers in information security.

Is computer science growing faster than the average career?

Further, many of the BLS-defined computer science-related occupations are also expected to grow “faster” or “much faster” than the average career, which means you’re likely to find promising career prospects. Dr. S. R. Subramanya, a computer science professor at National University, has been in the field for long enough to see the industry evolve.

Is computer science a sub-discipline?

What started as a sub-discipline within ma thematics is know a booming area on its own. “Computer science has changed so drastically over the years, especially in the past five years,” explains Subramanya. He continued that in the early days of computer science as an academic discipline, it was mostly about programming. Today, though, it really revolves around the user experience.

Can You Get an Online Master’s in Computer Science?

The computer science careers we discussed so far usually require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to get started, however earning an online master’s in computer science may allow you to start out in a higher position right away, help you advance more quickly, or, in general, give you an edge in the application process in a highly competitive field.

What is a computer science certification?

A computer science certification can verify your skills to employers, qualifying you for more advanced positions and increasing your earning potential. They can even help with job retention by making you more valuable to your current employer. Evaluating the best computer science certifications that are available can help you determine which are ...

What certifications does Microsoft offer?

Microsoft offers a variety of certifications, including data management and analytics, business intelligence and database administration. Candidates usually begin with the entry-level Microsoft Technology Associate certification. There are then several associate-level certifications, including SQL Server 2012/2014, business intelligence development and database administration.

What is a certified information security professional?

This is a globally recognized certification that verifies an IT professional's competency in protecting companies against cyberattacks. It proves that they have extensive technical and managerial abilities for engineering and managing information security programs.

What is AWS certified?

AWS Certified Solutions Architect—Professional. Amazon is the largest provider of cloud computing services, and this certification confirms that IT professionals have the ability to design and employ cloud environments using AWS.

Data Science Courses

The college-level courses involved in any Data Science Degree require intense and quick computer performance.

On the Job

Glassdoor named the role of the Data Scientist as the best job in America, based on employee work satisfaction and wage expectation. To become a competent Data Scientist during your school years, you should investigate obtaining the same level of equipment that businesses and the Federal Government utilize in job environments.

What Should be the Capabilities of the Computer?

Based on the tasks your computer will be given, the computer needs to be quick, powerful, and capable of multitasking. To get that quality of performance, you need to look for these parameters. The speed of your computer should be at least 2.40 GHz, though a faster processor is desirable if you can find one. Your minimum RAM is 8GB.

Making the Connection

With the demands of the workplace for quick and accurate extrapolation of conclusions from immense data banks, a home computer that mirrors what is used in the workplace is an essential element of taking Data Science courses online.

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