Windows laptops and MacBooks with 16 GB of memory or more and a capable processor, under 4.2 lb (1.9 kg), ready for IDEs, virtual machines and four years of coursework.
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59 models
Matching configuration: Snapdragon X2 Plus · Built-in · 16 GB · 256 GB · 13" 3K OLED
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Apple M5 · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 14.2" 3K 120Hz
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V · Built-in · 32 GB · 1 TB · 16" 3K OLED 120Hz
Full specsMatching configuration: AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 · Built-in · 32 GB · 1 TB · 13.4" 2.5K IPS 180Hz
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Snapdragon X Plus · Built-in · 16 GB · 256 GB · 12" Full HD+
Full specsMatching configuration: Snapdragon X Plus · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 13" 3K 120Hz
Full specsMatching configuration: AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 14" Full HD+
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 14" Full HD+ IPS
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 7 165U · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 14" Full HD+
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 7 256V · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 16" Full HD+ IPS
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 16" Full HD+ IPS 120Hz
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Intel Core i5-13420H · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 15.6" Full HD
Full specsMatching configuration: AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 14" Full HD+ OLED
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core 5 120U · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 14" Full HD+ IPS
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 7 155U · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 16" Full HD+ IPS
Full specsMatching configuration: AMD Ryzen 7 5825U · Built-in · 24 GB · 1 TB · 15.6" Full HD
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 9 285H · Built-in · 32 GB · 1 TB · 14" 3K OLED 120Hz
Full specsMatching configuration: Apple M5 Pro · Built-in · 24 GB · 1 TB · 14.2" 3K OLED
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core i7-1360P · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 13.4" Full HD+ 120Hz
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core i5-1334U · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 15.6" Full HD IPS
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 16" Full HD+ OLED
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 5 322 · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 14" Full HD+ OLED
Full specsMatching configuration: AMD Ryzen 7 7730U · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 15.6" Full HD IPS
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 14" Full HD+ IPS 120Hz
Full specsMatching configuration: AMD Ryzen 5 230 · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 16" Full HD+
Full specsMatching configuration: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 · Built-in · 32 GB · 1 TB · 16" 3K OLED 120Hz
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Intel Core i5-1145G7 · Built-in · 16 GB · 256 GB · 14" Full HD
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Intel Core i7-1265U · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 13.5" 2K
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core i7-1185G7 · Built-in · 32 GB · 512 GB · 13.3" Full HD+ IPS
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core i7-1265U · Built-in · 32 GB · 512 GB · 13.3" Full HD
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core i7-1165G7 · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 14" Full HD
Full specsMatching configuration: Snapdragon X · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 16" Full HD+ 120Hz
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core i7-13700H · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop · 16 GB · 1 TB · 14" 2.5K IPS
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H · Built-in · 32 GB · 1 TB · 16" 3K OLED
Full specsMatching configuration: AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 16" Full HD+ IPS
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 5 322 · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 16" Full HD+ OLED
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 · 16 GB · 1 TB · 14" 3K OLED
Full specsMatching configuration: Apple M5 · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 13.6" 2.5K IPS
Full specsMatching configuration: Apple M5 · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 15.3" 3K IPS
Full specsMatching configuration: Apple M5 Pro · Built-in · 24 GB · 1 TB · 14.2" 3K 120Hz
Full specsMatching configuration: Apple M6 · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 14.2" 3K 120Hz
Full specsMatching configuration: AMD Ryzen 9 270 · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 · 16 GB · 1 TB · 14" 3K OLED 120Hz
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Snapdragon X · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 16" Full HD+ IPS
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 9 386H · Built-in · 32 GB · 1 TB · 14" 3K OLED 120Hz
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 7 255U · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 15.6" Full HD
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H · Built-in · 16 GB · 256 GB · 14" Full HD+
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Intel Core 5 320 · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 13.4" 2.5K 120Hz
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 5 325 · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 16" Full HD+ 120Hz
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop · 32 GB · 2 TB · 14" 3K OLED 120Hz
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 · 16 GB · 1 TB · 14" 3K OLED 120Hz
Full specsMatching configuration: Snapdragon X · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 16" Full HD+ OLED
Full specsMatching configuration: Snapdragon X2 Elite · Built-in · 32 GB · 1 TB · 14" 3K OLED 120Hz
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 7 356H · Built-in · 16 GB · 1 TB · 14" 3K OLED 120Hz
Full specsMatching configuration: AMD Ryzen 7 170 · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 15.6" Full HD
Full specsMatching configuration: Snapdragon X Plus · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 13.8" 2K
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Snapdragon X2 Plus · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 13.8" 2K
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Snapdragon X2 Plus · Built-in · 16 GB · 512 GB · 15" 2K
Specs and configurationsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra 7 356H · Built-in · 32 GB · 1 TB · 16" 3K OLED
Full specsMatching configuration: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H · Built-in · 32 GB · 1 TB · 16" 3K OLED
Specs and configurationsA computer science degree asks more of a laptop than most majors, but less than people expect. You’ll spend four years writing code, reading papers and running the odd virtual machine. That means memory and a decent processor matter, and a heavy gaming machine mostly doesn’t.
Every laptop here runs Windows or macOS with at least 16 GB of memory and a processor from the mid-range up. It also weighs under 4.2 lb (1.9 kg), light enough to carry between lectures, labs and the library. That’s a MacBook Air, a Surface Laptop or a business-class Latitude rather than an 18-inch gaming rig.
Think about the whole degree, not just the first semester. Intro programming runs on anything. By your second or third year, operating systems, networking and cloud classes often have you running Linux in a VM, a couple of Docker containers and an IDE side by side. That’s where 16 GB of memory and a modern chip make the difference between smooth and painful.
Battery matters more on campus than raw speed. Lecture halls rarely have enough outlets, so look for a long claimed battery life. And since you’ll type thousands of lines a semester, take the keyboard seriously.
For the general question of how much laptop coding really needs, read laptops for programming. If your budget is tight, start with cheap laptops for college students.
Both work for nearly every course. Pick a MacBook if you want to build iPhone apps, since Xcode is macOS only. Pick Windows if your classes use Visual Studio, .NET or game engines. Check your department's recommendations before you buy.
16 GB. Courses in operating systems, databases and cloud computing often ask you to run virtual machines or containers, and 8 GB runs out fast. On most thin laptops memory can't be added later.
It's not a good idea. Intro classes might work in a browser, but later courses expect a full desktop operating system and local tools, so every laptop here runs Windows or macOS.
No, unless you plan to take graphics, game development or machine learning electives seriously. A lighter laptop with good battery life is easier to live with on campus.