Black Friday School Laptop Recommendation

[JJ^4884]

Hi Linus Forum Peeps!!!

 

I am looking for a new laptop for the College I'm transferring into. My major is Computer Science. I want this Laptop to last for my college studies and beyond. I AM NOT a gamer. My Budget is BELOW $900.00 USD. I'm looking into a Lenovo Laptop. I want the best specs that I need for Computer Science coursework for the best price. Touchscreen would be nice, but nor required due to versatility of upcoming Windows 10. Not sure if I want to get Dual Band WiFi for futureproofing. Any advice on my decisions?

 

All COSTS Include 2 year extension warranty cost & applicable Coupon Code discounts; ALL in USD.

 

Thinkpad L440 - (Custom) Want the Long Battery Life - $870.56

 

• Intel Core i5-4300M Processor (3MB Cache, up to 3.30GHz) -vPro  <- might not use vPro with my needs
• Windows 8.1 64
• 14.0" HD (1366 x 768) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready
• Intel HD Graphics 4600 with HM86(non-vPro), with TPM, with Express Card
• 8GB PC3-12800 DDR3L (2 DIMM)
• 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm, 2.5"
• DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer
• Intel Dual Band Wireless 7260AC with Bluetooth 4.0

 

Thinkpad E440 - (Custom) -  $780.34

 

• Intel Core i5-4200M Processor (3MB Cache, up to 3.10GHz)
• Windows 8.1 64
• 14.0" HD+ (1600x900) AntiGlare - Black
• Intel Integrated HD Graphics
• 8GB PC3-12800 DDR3L (2 DIMM)
• 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm, 2.5"
• DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer
• Intel Dual Band Wireless 7260AC with Bluetooth 4.0

 

Lenovo Z50 -  $768.00

 

• 4th Generation Intel Core i7-4510U Processor (2.00GHz 1600 MHz 4MB)
• Windows 8.1 64
• Intel® HD Graphics 5000
• 8.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3L SDRAM 1600 MHz
• 1TB 5400 RPM
• DVD Recordable (Dual Layer)
• Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160
• Bluetooth Version 4.0

 

U530 Touch : $868.00

 

• 4th Generation Intel Core i7-4510U Processor (2.00GHz 1600 MHz 4MB)
• Windows 8.1 64
• NVIDIA Geforce GT 730M N14M-GS DDR3 2GB  <- really am worried about unneeded powerhouse GPU for personal needs
• 8.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3L SDRAM 1600 MHz
• 1TB 5400 RPM
• Intel® Wireless-N 7260 (802.11bgn)
• Bluetooth Version 4.0

 

Any other suggestions are encouraged. 

[EthanMcL]

At those prices, something with an SSD.

[auraofjason]

At that price, definitely something with at least an SSD, and a nice 1920x1080 ips display will be very useful for what you're doing. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX303LA-DB51T-13-3-Inch-Display-Touchscreen/dp/B00KTHGRIS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

[JJ^4884]

When buying a laptop on Amazon, is there a way to get an extended warranty from the manufacturer? Also, do you guys try to get an RMA letter before opening the laptop?

 

Do I need a Core i7 for what Computer Science demands? Or can an AMD processor be a more economical option?

 

I want a lot of storage on this laptop (have cloud storage, but want to have local access), so can a 1 TB hybrid drive suffice?

[auraofjason]

When buying a laptop on Amazon, is there a way to get an extended warranty from the manufacturer? Also, do you guys try to get an RMA letter before opening the laptop?

 

Do I need a Core i7 for what Computer Science demands? Or can an AMD processor be a more economical option?

 

I want a lot of storage on this laptop (have cloud storage, but want to have local access), so can a 1 TB hybrid drive suffice?

I'm not sure about the warranty and I'm not sure what you mean by an RMA letter.

 

But no, you don't need an i7 for computer science. It'd just be a luxury thing if you do have one. You really don't do anything that requires any real performance from like a workstation cpu or something in your classes. An old dual core would even be more than enough.

 

I'd personally prefer just straight up SSD, but that's just my personal preference, a 1 TB hybrid drive would be more than fine.

 

I would definitely still try to find a laptop that has a 1920x1080 IPS screen minimum, you'll be looking at that thing for hours on hours while programming and it would be very nice to have.

[JJ^4884]

I'm thinking about App development. Would that require a faster CPU? Also, Why do some higher CPU models have low GHz numbers?

 

Are there any benefits choosing Intel over AMD CPU's in laptops (and Vice Versa)?

[auraofjason]

I'm thinking about App development. Would that require a faster CPU? Also, Why do some higher CPU models have low GHz numbers?

 

Are there any benefits choosing Intel over AMD CPU's in laptops (and Vice Versa)?

A faster CPU would be nice but not necessary. In the long run it'll probably help a lot.

 

Clock speed (GHZ) does not determine performance, that is why.

 

You should not get a laptop with an AMD cpu inside, because while on desktops power usage doesn't matter as much, it can be hours of difference on battery life on a laptop. Heat also sucks a lot on a laptop.

[JJ^4884]

Are there good revies for the Z50? I can't find any when researching.

 

Also, is it worth it having a custom Thinkpad?

[JJ^4884]

At those prices, something with an SSD.

 

At that price, definitely something with at least an SSD, and a nice 1920x1080 ips display will be very useful for what you're doing.

Forgot to mention that the L440 has an M.2 16GB mSATA SSD.