Laptop for Computer Science Student

[CSStudentGL]

Hi, I'm looking for a new laptop as my 2018 Dell G3 is just not enough for my needs. I'm looking for something with:

• 13.3/14 inch screen
• 8-core CPU
• Really good battery life (I need it to last a whole day on campus + I will use it a lot while travelling)
• At least something with RTX 3050 ti or equivalent (preferably 2060/3060)
• 1TB SSD
• Min. 16GB RAM

I will use it for programming, more-less casual gaming (I mostly play e-sports titles like Rocket League or League of Legends but I want to be able to play something like Cyberpunk once in a while) and standard web-browsing, watching Netflix etc.
I will set it up with Linux in dual boot.
My budget is not strictly limited, but I don't want to pay more for not necessary upgrades - if there is a much cheaper option that is just a little bit worse then I will lean towards it.
Right now I see 3 options:

• Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 R9-4900HS/16GB RAM/1TB SSD/RTX 2060 Max-Q for 1200$ after converting the currency
• Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 R7-5800HS/16GB RAM/1TB SSD/RTX 3060 Mobile for 1900$ after conversion
• Acer Swift X R7-5800U/16GB RAM/1TB SSD/RTX 3050 Ti for around 1100$ after conversion

I am open for other suggestions and advice!

[Slottr]

A gaming laptop is not what you will want. You'll see degradation in battery fairly quickly over the first few months of use. Plus generally they're quite a bit heavier and louder.

 

If you really need a gaming system as well, get a cheaper ultrabook and spend some money on a PC for gaming

[Helpful Tech Witch]

Just now, Slottr said:

cheaper ultrabook

or a m1 macbook air. (thats a bit of a pricy one tho)

if you want battery thats the thing to get

[CSStudentGL]

Zephyrus weight 1.6 kg and is reported to have arount 8-10 hours of realistic battery life
Swift is 1.38kg and I don't think it can be called a gaming laptop
PC for gaming and ultrabook for travel is not an option, I spend too much time in different places

[Slottr]

9 minutes ago, HelpfulTechWizard said:

or a m1 macbook air. (thats a bit of a pricy one tho)

if you want battery thats the thing to get

Big agree. It's what I've been running for comp sci and it's been fantastic.

[Slottr]

9 minutes ago, CSStudentGL said:

Zephyrus weight 1.6 kg and is reported to have arount 8-10 hours of realistic battery life
Swift is 1.38kg and I don't think it can be called a gaming laptop
PC for gaming and ultrabook for travel is not an option, I spend too much time in different places

Realistically all those options aren't a great investment. I would get the cheapest one then and run that until you get out of school