Computer Science laptop recommendation

[iFergal]

My current situation is I am going into a Computer Science course, but I do intend on bringing my gaming rig. All I really want out of this laptop is to get through college, I don't believe I'll need an awful lot of power. I plan on loading a lightweight Linux distro on it to speed things up so that should make things a bit cheaper. I won't need Windows - I have it duel booted on my PC for any programs I need.

1. What is your budget?
Preferably on the cheaper side, but I really can't drop more than €800. Options would be nice though.

2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
13" I would say for portability.

3. What screen resolution do you want?
1080p preferably.

4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
Portable.

5. How much battery life do you need?
Don't have much experience with using laptops, so whatever is enough to get through lectures and such.

6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
I'd like to have the option to play some light games, perhaps like CSGO and TF2. I can live with low graphics if it's saving me enough money.

7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
Just general browsing really. Anything heavy can be done on my PC.

8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?
I don't think I'll need much. An SSD would be nice, but if it's killing price, maybe not - Linux tends to be pretty speedy anyway.

9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
Not specifically, from Ireland though, if that helps. Imagine I will be buying from UK/Europe though. I often buy from Amazon, but I don't know if that's good for laptops.

10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?
Preferably a few years anyway.

11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?
None necessary.

12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
Lack of experience with laptops so I'm not picky here, yet anyway.

Thanks!

 

[Oliver_21]

This can run every single game you want

http/uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/KrrcCJ/dell-laptop-i7559763blk

this is a bit pricey but you may sell the 128GB SSD

https/www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-P34G-V5-CF1-14-Inch-Graphics/dp/B01AUSK80S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1471570651&sr=8-2&keywords=14+inch+gaming+laptop

13 inch laptops become really expensive for their specs and I didn't find any 14 inch gaming laptops for that price range. You might get a used one though

For brands I prefer ASUS, lenovo, MSI, DELL so far. ASUS and HP laptops get hot sometimes. Indeed most sites claim these ones are the best in teams of quiality, design, warranty and such:

http/www.laptopmag.com/articles/laptop-brand-ratings

For recommendations I can only tell you to go for i5 + GTX 950M or 960M that's all you need

laps with 940 or 940MX gpus are only a bit cheaper and much worse so I don't recommend them

 

[iFergal]

This can run every single game you want

http/uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/KrrcCJ/dell-laptop-i7559763blk

this is a bit pricey but you may sell the 128GB SSD

https/www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-P34G-V5-CF1-14-Inch-Graphics/dp/B01AUSK80S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1471570651&sr=8-2&keywords=14+inch+gaming+laptop

13 inch laptops become really expensive for their specs and I didn't find any 14 inch gaming laptops for that price range. You might get a used one though

For brands I prefer ASUS, lenovo, MSI, DELL so far. ASUS and HP laptops get hot sometimes. Indeed most sites claim these ones are the best in teams of quiality, design, warranty and such:

http/www.laptopmag.com/articles/laptop-brand-ratings

For recommendations I can only tell you to go for i5 + GTX 950M or 960M that's all you need

laps with 940 or 940MX gpus are only a bit cheaper and much worse so I don't recommend them

Hmm okay, those do look nice although a tad bit pricey. Realistically I can completely drop the gaming requirement. My PC can handle all I need - it'd just be nice to have the option on the laptop purely because I will be living at home most weekends (common around here...) and I won't be bringing the PC up and down! That said, I don't even think I'd be doing much gaming then, as I said, would just a nice bonus if the price was reasonable.

Thanks for the response though!

 

[Oliver_21]

This can run every single game you want

http/uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/KrrcCJ/dell-laptop-i7559763blk

this is a bit pricey but you may sell the 128GB SSD

https/www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-P34G-V5-CF1-14-Inch-Graphics/dp/B01AUSK80S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1471570651&sr=8-2&keywords=14+inch+gaming+laptop

13 inch laptops become really expensive for their specs and I didn't find any 14 inch gaming laptops for that price range. You might get a used one though

For brands I prefer ASUS, lenovo, MSI, DELL so far. ACER and HP laptops get hot sometimes. Indeed most sites claim these ones are the best in teams of quiality, design, warranty and such:

http/www.laptopmag.com/articles/laptop-brand-ratings

For recommendations I can only tell you to go for i5 + GTX 950M or 960M that's all you need

laps with 940 or 940MX gpus are only a bit cheaper and much worse so I don't recommend them

Hmm okay, those do look nice although a tad bit pricey. Realistically I can completely drop the gaming requirement. My PC can handle all I need - it'd just be nice to have the option on the laptop purely because I will be living at home most weekends (common around here...) and I won't be bringing the PC up and down! That said, I don't even think I'd be doing much gaming then, as I said, would just a nice bonus if the price was reasonable.

Thanks for the response though!

You're welcome tell me if you have more doubts

You might consider a 940M or a 940MX but as I told you, getting a much weaker GPU for $50 or $100 less it's ridiculous and laptops are not upgradeable

You can check more options like refurbished laptops if you like

 

[iFergal]

You're welcome tell me if you have more doubts

You might consider a 940M or a 940MX but as I told you, getting a much weaker GPU for $50 or $100 less it's ridiculous and laptops are not upgradeable

You can check more options like refurbished laptops if you like

Yeah, I understand. Price to performance ratios. I will look into refurbished laptops too to see if I can find something worth buying.

What are your thoughts on a Chromebook if I booted it with a fresh Linux install? I'd normally stay away but if I have my PC perhaps it wouldn't be all bad - it's so cheap and the money I save would help a lot to get through college. Obviously I'd be dropping gaming, but as I said, not a big deal.

 

[Speed Fung]

Dell XPS 13 would be a great option, it had been a highly rated laptop and it fulfill all your needs, it should be okay to game a bit, but other than that it is nearly perfect on other things such as screen, battery, build quality etc.
https/www.amazon.com/dp/B016FKG020/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687762&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00RY4X8A4&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=SFCNVDK6HZ6FS79AFSBQ
if gaming is more important, then Alienware 13 should be your choice, it is just about your budget and it can game perfectly with a brilliant OLED screen. It is the most portable gaming laptop i've seen and you should definitely consider.
http/www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-13-r2/pd?dgc=BA&cid=302685&lid=5757146&acd=123092248842786722c99818036&ven3=878603492645288088
But if budget is the most important factor, then Thinkpad 13 would be amazing. HD screen, great battery, and enough processing power for your light programming at college
http/www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-13

 

[Oliver_21]

You're welcome tell me if you have more doubts

You might consider a 940M or a 940MX but as I told you, getting a much weaker GPU for $50 or $100 less it's ridiculous and laptops are not upgradeable

You can check more options like refurbished laptops if you like

Yeah, I understand. Price to performance ratios. I will look into refurbished laptops too to see if I can find something worth buying.

What are your thoughts on a Chromebook if I booted it with a fresh Linux install? I'd normally stay away but if I have my PC perhaps it wouldn't be all bad - it's so cheap and the money I save would help a lot to get through college. Obviously I'd be dropping gaming, but as I said, not a big deal.

If you don't mind playing games it's OK, being much cheaper

 

[iFergal]

Dell XPS 13 would be a great option, it had been a highly rated laptop and it fulfill all your needs, it should be okay to game a bit, but other than that it is nearly perfect on other things such as screen, battery, build quality etc.
https/www.amazon.com/dp/B016FKG020/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687762&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00RY4X8A4&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=SFCNVDK6HZ6FS79AFSBQ
if gaming is more important, then Alienware 13 should be your choice, it is just about your budget and it can game perfectly with a brilliant OLED screen. It is the most portable gaming laptop i've seen and you should definitely consider.
http/www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-13-r2/pd?dgc=BA&cid=302685&lid=5757146&acd=123092248842786722c99818036&ven3=878603492645288088
But if budget is the most important factor, then Thinkpad 13 would be amazing. HD screen, great battery, and enough processing power for your light programming at college
http/www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-13

The XPS 13 would be ideal, but is unfortunately a bit pricey for my liking. I will also pass on the Alienware! I will look into the Thinkpad though, thanks!

If you don't mind playing games it's OK, being much cheaper

Yeah, it might be the better option for me. I'll look into some refurbished laptops too and compare. I have a while before I need to make a decision. Thank you!