24/03/2026 4:10 am
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I start my first coding class next Monday and I literally just realized my old chromebook probably wont work for computer science classes. Im totally freaking out because I have no clue what I'm looking for like what is a processor even? My budget is super tight around 500 or 600 bucks tops and I need to buy it like today so I can have it by orientation. People keep saying get a mac but those are way too expensive for me right now. Is there something cheap at Best Buy that wont crash when I try to write code? Sorry if this is a really stupid question I just dont want to buy the wrong thing and be behind on day one...
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24/03/2026 4:55 am
Unfortunately, finding a solid build under 600 is getting harder... I was pretty disappointed with the keyboard flex on some recent budget HPs. It felt so cheap. If you're hitting Best Buy today, look for the Lenovo Slim 3 15.6 inch AMD Ryzen 5 7530U 16GB RAM. It's not perfect and the screen is a bit dim, but it beats a chromebook and actually handles multitasking without dying every five minutes.
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24/03/2026 4:11 am
In my experience, 8GB of RAM is the biggest mistake CS students make. You need 16GB to run compilers and your browser simultaneously. For $600, check if the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 Ryzen 7 7730U 16GB RAM is in stock locally. Prioritize these specs:
- 16GB RAM (non-negotiable)
- Ryzen 7 or i5 processor
- 512GB NVMe SSD Anything less will honestly just frustrate you by sophomore year.
