Best Laptop for Computer Science Students in 2024 from Acer

Edmund_McGowan · July 18

Attention, all computer science students! Before you head back to college, let us present you with a selection of the best laptops for computer science students. I know what you may be thinking, that being a computer science student you may know a thing or two about computing, maybe you even think you have the best laptop for programming already?

Either way, your day-to-day studies, coursework and projects necessitate a laptop that can really go the distance. The good news is that we have done the research for you, and cherry picked four of Acer’s finest, and best laptops for computer science students. Equipping yourself with the right laptop will help you to get ahead in your studies. In today’s article, first we’ll outline what features make good laptops for computer science students before introducing four of the best.

What features to look for in a laptop for computer science students?

As the name of your course suggests, the science of computing encompasses a wide spectrum of computers and algorithmic processes. To that end, you’ll need a high performance laptop that can handle complex software needed in your day to day studies. Here are a few of the most widely used programs in 2024:

Visual Studio Code (VS Code): This Microsoft developed popular, open-source code editor supports a wide range of programming languages and has numerous extensions for additional functionality.
Eclipse: An integrated development environment (IDE) primarily used for Java development. Eclipse also supports other programming languages through plugins.
PyCharm: Specifically designed for Python development, this powerful IDE boasts features including code analysis, graphical debugger, and integrated unit tester.
Git: A version control system used for tracking changes in source code during software development. You may know of the popular platforms GitHub and GitLab, both host Git repositories and provide collaborative features.
IntelliJ IDEA: Developed by JetBrains, this IDE is known for supporting a wide range of programming languages and frameworks, with strong features for Java development.

To make the most out of these programs and your studies, you need a laptop with specific features.

Starting with the brains of the laptop, make sure you go for a model with a CPU (central processing unit) from the latest or previous generation (new CPU gens are released every 12-18 months). If you favor Intel, then an i5, i7 or higher CPU will work, while AMD enthusiasts should go for a model with Ryzen 5, 7 or above.

Moving on to storage, bear in mind that computer science studies require large software programs and project files, so a minimum of 512GB is necessary. Where possible, opt for SSD (solid state drive) storage for quicker boot times than traditional HDD (hard disk drive) technology.

Next, RAM (random access memory), a starting point of 8GB will do for basic use, while 16GB or above will cover more complex applications and multi-tasking.

Given the nature of your program, you’ll be looking at your screen for many an hour! Do yourself a favor and choose a laptop with a decent sized, high-quality display. Size-wise, you want to comfortably see the all important details on your screen, so choose a 14-17-inch full HD display or OLED if you can afford it.

Battery life is another important consideration to make when choosing a laptop for a computer science student. If you think you’ll need to work on-the-go, then choose a laptop that can run for a minimum of 10 hours before charging.

Overall laptop design should combine build quality, durability, and portability. A durable build will ensure that your laptop can stand up to the rigors of daily use, while a lightweight, slim design will guarantee that you’ll never regret carrying your laptop around campus.

Swift performance and portability

As we mentioned above, finding the best laptop for programming and other computer science studies requires a bit of legwork from you, the buyer. We’ve taken some of that legwork out of the equation by selecting five of our most suitable laptops in the Acer Swift family.

1. Swift Go 14

Let’s kick off today’s tour with a stone cold bargain. The Swift Go 14 is a great entry level AMD powered beast recently reduced from $999.99 to $799.99. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U Octa-Core processor this laptop balances performance, portability and affordability. The Swift Go 14 packs in 16GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD storage, allowing large capacity storage alongside speedy data access. The 14-inch WQXGA+ (Wide Quad Extended Graphics Array Plus) screen delivers brilliant 2.8K OLED performance and an ultra crisp 16:10 90 Hz display.

Whether you’re crushing your computer science assignments, or engaging in some light gaming to relax, the colors will literally jump out of the screen! This pure silver colored model has an insane max battery run time of 12.5 hours, and weighs only 2.76 lbs, so wherever you go, the Swift Go 14 can accompany you.

2. Swift Go 16

The Swift Go 16 is one of the best laptops for software development, offering great balancing performance at an unbeatable price. Currently available for $899.99, this laptop is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 5 125 H processor. This high end CPU will serve you well, handling demanding software, multitasking and processing needs with ease. 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage provides large capacity storage for various projects combined with speedy data access. On top of all this, the 16-inch WQXGA+ (Wide Quad Extended Graphics Array Plus) display offers you a whole lot of screen real estate for multitasking. 3200 x 2000 pixel resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio = more screen space to appreciate the vibrancy of OLED during your studies.

3. Swift Edge 16

Next, meet the Swift Edge 16. Featuring an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS Octa-Core processor (Up to 5.1GHz), this is a seriously powerful laptop for only $1,299.99. 16GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD provide large capacity storage alongside speedy data access. The OLED 16-inch WQXGA+ (Wide Quad Extended Graphics Array Plus) displays gives you a whole lot of screen real estate for multitasking. Weighing in at just 2.71 lb and delivering up to 10 hours run time between charges, Swift Edge 16 is a portable, powerful laptop that’s well suited to computer science studies.

4. Swift X 14

Currently available for $1,699.99, the Swift X 14 is an AI PC ready to deliver fast, fluid performance for computer science studies for up to 12 hours before charging. Powered by a high performance Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor with 16 cores, the Swift X 14 has a clock speed of 140GHz, to handle advanced processing requirements. A dedicated Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card with 8 GB dedicated memory will also support parallel processing. Indeed, the RTX 4070 pushes the overall performance and capabilities of the laptop, while future-proofing it for increasingly demanding software and tasks that you are bound to encounter in your studies. In addition, this is a great GPU for gaming, able to handle the latest AAA titles on medium to high settings. This AI optimized beauty also has a 14.5-inch 2.8K 120Hz OLED display with vivid color accuracy, deep blacks and Calman Verified color accuracy.

5. Swift 14 AI Copilot+ PC (Qualcomm)

Saving the best for last, the Swift 14 AI Copilot+ PC is a game-changer for computer science students looking to future-proof their studies. This cutting-edge laptop is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite platform, featuring an AI-powered neural processing unit (NPU) capable of up to 45 TOPS—perfect for tackling complex workloads and AI-enhanced tasks. With up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, you’ll have plenty of power and storage for your programming needs, from developing advanced software to running resource-intensive simulations.

The Swift 14 AI is compatible with many key programs used in computer science. Software like Visual Studio Code (VS Code) and Git benefit from native ARM support, ensuring smooth and efficient performance. PyCharm, too, is ARM-compatible, allowing for powerful Python development. However, other widely-used IDEs like Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA may need to be run via emulation, a process handled efficiently thanks to the Snapdragon platform's robust emulation capabilities.

The Swift 14 AI offers a 14.5-inch 2.5K display at 120Hz, delivering vivid visuals and a smooth experience whether you’re coding, gaming, or enjoying downtime. At just 2.99 lbs and boasting an impressive battery life of up to 26 hours, it’s perfect for students on the go. Its sleek, modern design ensures it’s durable enough to survive campus life while maintaining its portability.

What sets the Swift 14 AI apart is its Copilot+ features, including a suite of AI tools like Recall, Cocreator, and live captioning, making it an ideal partner for those who want to enhance their productivity and creativity. Starting at $1,049.99, this laptop combines power, portability, and advanced AI features, making it an excellent investment for forward-thinking computer science students.

The takeaway

We trust that you’ve enjoyed learning about Acer’s best laptops for computer science students in 2024. Do check out the models we’ve discussed, and choose one that meets your study needs this year. Be wise and strike while the iron is hot, but don’t forget to secure an extended service plan for your laptop. We’ll also throw in a 10% student discount for eligible buyers! Remember, don’t delay, kit yourself out with a future ready laptop for your computer science studies today.