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Laptop Requirements Guide

Last updated on 2022/08/24

Here are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing/configuring your laptop:

Hardware​

Although the following specifications are not strictly required, having these minimum specifications will make your computer less frustrating to use:

  • 8 GB of RAM
    • for gaming/future-proof purposes, 12 or 16 GB is more preferable
  • 256 GB of SSD storage
    • UWindsor provides 1 TB OneDrive cloud storage. However, it is strongly recommended that you upgrade to at least 512 GB. This will allow you to have space for a lot of games and software, and the extra local storage is good if you don't want the hassle of constantly uploading and downloading files from the cloud.

Operating System​

You aren't required to have certain OS since the School of Computer Science has remote Linux server that you can connect to, but here are a few pros and cons to help you decide which OS to use:

Windows​

Windows is one of the most popular OS among students, particularly because it comes with most pre-assembled laptops. The user interface should be fairly intuitive even when you are new to using laptops, and it is one of the most supported OS for app availability or IT support. Additionally, it is much easier to game on Windows.

Many Computer Science classes (COMP-1400 and COMP-1410, for example) will require programming environments that are harder to set up in Windows than in other UNIX/Linux-based OS. Although substitutes like WSL can help, you might run into compatibility issues when working with sockets and pipes in classes like COMP-2560. Virtual machines shouldn't have compatibility issues, but they can require a lot of computing power, especially when GUI is involved. Should you choose Windows as your primary OS, you should consider setting up an SSH connection to the UWindsor's remote server on editors like Visual Studio Code or via other means. In addition, when you are working with other developers on a project, you may also have to pay attention to your line breaks (CRLF vs. LF).

If you are taking classes offered by other faculties or departments (e.g. Engineering), you may have to install software that are only available on Windows. However, this usually is not a concern since such instances are quite rare, and the University of Windsor has many other computer resources to help you out if something like this happens.

Linux​

Linux/UNIX is very good for programming/developing because of how easy it is to set up the necessary environment. Much like MacOS, it can be difficult to game on. Depending on how important gaming is to you, you may need to use Wine, set up a virtual machine, or dual-boot with Windows. Additionally, since many of the University's software (Office 365, OneDrive, Teams, etc.) are on the Microsoft platform, there may be some compatibility issues.

Popular Linux distros include Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Pop!_OS, Linux Mint, and Arch Linux. If you are very new to Linux, then Ubuntu and Debian may be a good starting point for you simply because there is a large community using them and most likely have answers for any problem you encounter. The University, for example, uses Debian on its remote servers. If you have time and are willing to experiment, you should test out the different Linux OS since the desktop environment on Ubuntu and Debian (GNOME) can be slightly laggy on laptops without high specifications. If you are coming from Windows, Linux Mint's Cinnamon desktop environment will help you adjust to Linux as it has a look and feel comparable to that of Windows.

Although Linux OS may be confusing for new users, becoming comfortable with a UNIX/Linux environment is very beneficial for you. The University generally expects you to produce code/projects that will work on its Linux server. As well, Linux forces you to interact with the command line more, which is great if you want to learn more about how your computer works underneath.

Almost all Linux distros are free, especially the popular ones. In general, Linux distros require less disk space and perform better on low-end devices, compared to Windows. Thus, the right Linux distro will significantly optimize your laptop, especially if you are on a budget. However, Linux is also generally worse for battery life compared to other OS.

MacOS​

Since the MacOS is a UNIX operating system, it is usually easier to set up local programming environment than Windows. As well, it is also among the most supported OS in terms of IT support and app availability. However, MacOS is generally not compatible with non-Apple products. This means that you would need to purchase a MacBook to use MacOS, which may be expensive/less cost-effective depending on your budget and what specifications you're looking for.

Much like Linux OS, it can be difficult to game on. Depending on how important gaming is to you, you may need to use Wine, set up a virtual machine, or dual-boot with Windows.

ChromeOS (Chromebook)​

The ChromeOS is a Linux-based operating system derived from the Chromium OS. However, ChromeOS is generally not compatible with non-Chromebook products.

Although Chromebooks are typically lightweight, portable and have good battery life, you usually cannot install much on them since they generally have low specifications. Although you can set up programming environments on them using a Linux container, having a low hardware specifications may decrease the performance. As such, Chromebooks (or other laptops like Surface Pro) are best used for doing quick works on the campus while having a more powerful desktop/laptop at home.

Battery Life and Portability​

Battery life and portability are probably the most important factors that you should think about when purchasing a laptop. You should purchase a laptop that has decent battery life and is reasonably light. Alternatively, you can look for ergonomically-engineered laptop bags that can store your chargers so that you won't get hurt as you exercise around the campus.

Some factors, like a laptop's hardware, may affect its weight and battery life. Powerful CPUs, for example, often drains battery quicker. Extremely small and lightweight laptops often have smaller fans and vents and thus heat up easily, which can also reduce battery life. It is therefore important to research about your laptop choices and test them in person before making a purchase.

Screen Size​

Common screen size range from 13" to 17", but it is recommended to keep your selection between 13" to 15" for portability.

If you are looking for a more portable laptop, then 13" will be a better choice. However, this also means that you will see less content on the screen at a time, especially when you make the fonts bigger for ergonomic purposes. On the other hand, a 15" laptop can display more content but are also heavier and thus less portable.

Other Features​

Although features like 2-in-1 and touchscreen are very useful for purposes like digital art, they may not be very useful on the campus other than taking digital notes. If you are purchasing a laptop that is going to mostly be used on campus, then you can subsitute with a drawing tablet to save money.

Additionally, pay attention to the type and number of port connections on your laptop. In the case where you have drawing tablets, for example, having more USB port will allow you to not have to sacrifice your other peripheral devices.