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General discussion

What are good laptops for college?

Aug 11, 2018 10:26AM PDT

Hello, I am going to start college this upcoming year and I will be majoring in computer science/cybersecurity. I need a good laptop! I know nothing about laptops and really need some advice. I have few requirements for this laptop but I really need it to last 4 years, I don't want to have any issues with it. Because my major is computer science/cybersecurity I will be running heavy duty programs and making Virtual machines, so the computer needs to have some power. I need 16gb ram, i7, GOOD LONG LASTING BATTERY LIFE, SSD, 15 inches, and lightweight. Please help. I need to buy a laptop ASAP. I was looking at the Gigabyte Aero 15 or the HP Spectre x360. Help please.

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There are many good models BUT
Aug 11, 2018 10:33AM PDT

Then you wanted a model that would go for 4 years and MAYBE never need service. Your car can't go more than a year without service and laptops need cleaning every few months to keep them away from the service counter.

Then we have laptops with 300 cycle rated batteries so if you used the battery daily from full to empty you would be buying a battery every year to keep it at like new capacity.

Can you put up with such today? Or is this unicorn hunting? That is, looking for models that last 4 years without maintenance and replacing the parts that wear out?

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I can go with maintenance every year
Aug 11, 2018 10:38AM PDT

Hi, I should have been more clear. I don't need something that will never need work, I mean I want it to get to around 3-4 years with the 6 month cleaning and maintenance and stuff. I don't mind that stuff, I just don't want a lemon after a year or two. I'm looking at HP spectre x360, Dell XPS 15, and the gigabyte I mentioned. I have no idea what to look for. I don't need a fancy screen, I don't need the pen, I don't need a laptop that folds, I don't need it to be able to game on, I just need something powerful that won't crap out. I would prefer to have a dedicated GPU.