Back to School laptop "Computer Security"

[Eminems]

Dear computer people, I'm strugling with a choice of a laptop for my studies.

 

I'm about to start my second year in University for Computer Security, and in need of laptop that will match my needs, needs bein coding projects, networking, MySQL, basic essay writing, ocasional game of LoL.  

I was thinking of dell XPS or apple Macbook Pro, but my course also includes learning Linux so having a laptop that can dual boot into Linux would be quite good. my budget is around £800 - £1000 I could spare maybe extra one or two more hundred but would rather avoid it.

[aisle9]

My immediate thought would be a ThinkPad T490 or T495 (if Ryzen is your thing). It should be in the price range, ThinkPads love Linux and you'll be getting a tank that will last you several years.

[mariushm]

lol @ apple macbook pro

 

320 uk pounds gets you an Acer Aspire 5 with Ryzen 3200u : https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Display-Graphics-Keyboard-A515-43-R19L/dp/B07RF1XD36

upgrade it with 16 GB (2x8GB so-dimm) and add a second ssd or replace the existing 128 GB ssd, upgrade to windows home/pro from windows S that comes with laptop.

 

plenty fast for mysql and programming, plenty fast for occasional game, 15.6" panel that's IPS, wifi ac , etc etc

 

The lenovo t495 suggested above looks good, but is it really worth 1100 uk pounds?

[Eminems]

Have bad expierence with Acer, also if it comes with Windows S upgrading it to FFW, the battery life will be a struggle. I want something solid that will last me whole day at Uni. ThinkPad actually seems like a decent option need to check some reviews about it. Only reason Macbook is on my mind, it's because of the battery life and works out the box, just not sure how it would react to Kali & Ubuntu Linux. 

[Donut417]

25 minutes ago, Eminems said:

apple Macbook Pro,

Watch Luis Rossmann and you rethink wanting a MacBook Pro. They have terrible build quality. Apple has severe quality control issues, at least hardware wise. 

 

8 minutes ago, Eminems said:

just not sure how it would react to Kali & Ubuntu Linux. 

I recently switched from Windows 10 to Pop OS. Honestly I really like Pop OS. There are some useful features and it works. You just need to make sure the software you need runs in Linux, or in Wine. Ubuntu is pretty easy to use, I use it on my Plex server. Pop OS is built off of Ubuntu so its also a good option. Ive used Linux Mint in the past and it was ok. 

 

11 minutes ago, Eminems said:

I want something solid that will last me whole day

If push comes to shove, if you can find a laptop that charges via USB type C you could potentially use a battery bank to keep it topped off. 

[Eminems]

1 minute ago, Donut417 said:

Watch Luis Rossmann and you rethink wanting a MacBook Pro. They have terrible build quality. Apple has severe quality control issues, at least hardware wise.

Completely forgot about Luis, used to watch him when had more spare time. 

 

3 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

I recently switched from Windows 10 to Pop OS. Honestly I really like Pop OS. There are some useful features and it works. You just need to make sure the software you need runs in Linux, or in Wine. Ubuntu is pretty easy to use, I use it on my Plex server. Pop OS is built off of Ubuntu so its also a good option. Ive used Linux Mint in the past and it was ok. 

As part of my module I will have to learn all OS, Windows, xOS and Kali Linux, but for some time now I want to learn linux in my spare time. Will check out "Pop_OS"

 

6 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

If push comes to shove, if you can find a laptop that charges via USB type C you could potentially use a battery bank to keep it topped off. 

That is a good shout. 

 

For now just browsing and searching the ThinkPad and what it can offer. 

[genexis_x]

Any preferences on weight, battery life and display size? Mind low sRGB display and non-upgradeable RAM?

[Eminems]

3 hours ago, GeneXiS_X said:

Any preferences on weight, battery life and display size? Mind low sRGB display and non-upgradeable RAM?

Not heavy, battery needs to last around 10hrs. no touch screen. I just need it to last me for around 3 years in Uni, so I can carry it around and do my stuff. I do have a 6700k skylake at home but 20kg aint moving. The laptops does not need to be very high end graphics just an occasional game of League or Runescape, watch a movie on a train now and then...

[genexis_x]

12 minutes ago, Eminems said:

I just need it to last me for around 3 years in Uni

Business grade laptops - Thinkpad P/T/X series, Latitude 7000 series, Elitebook 800 series (non convertible) / Zbook 14u/15u

 

Or Thinkpad L series, Latitude 5000 series

[Eminems]

4 hours ago, GeneXiS_X said:

Business grade laptops - Thinkpad P/T/X series, Latitude 7000 series, Elitebook 800 series (non convertible) / Zbook 14u/15u

 

Or Thinkpad L series, Latitude 5000 series

And wich one would favour more Linux? What are you thouths on Dell XPS

[genexis_x]

32 minutes ago, Eminems said:

And wich one would favour more Linux? What are you thouths on Dell XPS

Business laptops should handle Linux well

 

XPS is consumer line

[Eminems]

37 minutes ago, GeneXiS_X said:

Business laptops should handle Linux well

I shall dig the internet. Thank you.