Laptop for computer science course at University

Cromulent · 28 Jun 2014 at 01:48

I'm looking to get a laptop for a computer science course at University which I'm starting in September. I'd like to keep the cost as low as possible but I have some requirements. £800 would be really pushing my budget.

Windows 8.1.
8 to 16GB RAM (16GB preferred but 8GB would be OK at a push).
Has hardware support for virtual machines (I'll be running multiple Linux virtual machines on it via VMWare Workstation 10).
Intel CPU.
Decent graphics that would be OK for a graphics / multimedia module (probably OpenGL based but could possibly be DirectX based, I'm not sure as it is a second year module).

shootersam · 28 Jun 2014 at 12:35

Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Series may be worth a look. You also get 10% off if you sign up to the V.I.P Club as a student. Can get it with either 16GB or 8GB. My girlfriend just got one, and it's a lovely machine. Good CPU, decent graphics and a good looking screen, albeit a bit dim.

EviL Ras · 28 Jun 2014 at 17:18

Never be afraid to call a dell rep and get discount! Also keep an eye on the dell outlet. but move fast! machines last less than a minute on there!!

Its a shame they dont do cashback now. i got my alienware M14x down from £1400 to £750 after cashback, discount, vouchers, and 10% refund after threatening to send it back!

JonJ678 · 28 Jun 2014 at 23:56

Macbook pro is within budget. Add windows 8 to the list of virtual machines and you're golden. I spend roughly six hours a day programming on mine and can't really think of anything I dislike about it.

edit: If you go down that route, expect virtualbox to be unusable, but vmware and parallels are fine.

melvis · 29 Jun 2014 at 10:47

Macbook pro is within budget.

not sure a macbook is within his £800 budget, cheapest macbook pro is ~£950 with student discount.

kitkat9933 · 1 Jul 2014 at 16:03

JonJ678 said:
Macbook pro is within budget. Add windows 8 to the list of virtual machines and you're golden. I spend roughly six hours a day programming on mine and can't really think of anything I dislike about it.

edit: If you go down that route, expect virtualbox to be unusable, but vmware and parallels are fine.

Virtualbox works absolutely fine on a Mac.

Cromulent · 1 Jul 2014 at 16:05

EviL Ras said:
Never be afraid to call a dell rep and get discount!

So you can just call up and they'll give you a discount if you ask? I didn't know that.

Thanks for the responses. The Dell looks good. I've also been looking at a Lenovo Thinkpad which seem to have a good reputation. For £850 it seems I can get a decent machine albeit slightly over budget.

EviL Ras · 1 Jul 2014 at 17:39

Yup, just tell them you've seen something similarly specced for cheaper. at the VERY least get free delivery, and a carry case! But the more you spend, the more likely it is you can bundle in a 3yr warranty, a case, and a mouse for a good price!

Quartz · 1 Jul 2014 at 18:43

Cromulent said:
I'm looking to get a laptop for a computer science course at University which I'm starting in September.

Speak to the university: you may well get a deal through them. You'll almost certainly be eligible for educational licenses of Windows and Office.

Cromulent · 3 Jul 2014 at 05:32

EviL Ras said:
Yup, just tell them you've seen something similarly specced for cheaper. at the VERY least get free delivery, and a carry case! But the more you spend, the more likely it is you can bundle in a 3yr warranty, a case, and a mouse for a good price!

Ah, cool. I've been looking a Lenovo Thinkpad and so playing Dell off against them seems like a good plan. Thanks.

Quartz said:
Speak to the university: you may well get a deal through them. You'll almost certainly be eligible for educational licenses of Windows and Office.

Hmm. I haven't had any real contact at all with Uni yet. I wouldn't even know who to speak too.