Opinions on which laptop for CS student

[ojiolkem]

I've been driving myself crazy the past couple of days researching so I need an outside opinion. I need a new laptop for college. I've had this HP Pentium with 4GB of RAM, and it's not cutting it for research (or, frankly, more than 3 tabs at once). I'm debating between the HP Pavilion Plus, HP Envy x360, or the HP Spectre. I like the Evo intel, that's why I'm leaning towards the Spectre or Pavilion, but I like the look and feel of the Envy and Spectre. Let me know your experiences owning these, TIA!

[Raj_05]

Hi @ojiolkem,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

For a CS student, you'll want a laptop that handles multitasking well, has decent performance for coding and potentially some lightweight development tasks, and is comfortable to use for long hours. Here’s a breakdown of the three HP models you’re considering.

HP Pavilion Plus

Pros:

• Performance: Typically comes with good specs for its price range, like modern Intel Core processors, sufficient RAM, and decent storage.
• Price: Generally more affordable compared to the Spectre and Envy lines.
• Display: Often features a high-resolution display which is great for coding and research.

Cons:

• Build Quality: May not be as premium as the Envy or Spectre, which could impact durability and aesthetics.
• Features: Might lack some of the premium features of the Envy and Spectre.

HP Envy x360

Pros:

• Design: Stylish and often comes with a high-quality build, including a sleek aluminum chassis.
• Versatility: The 2-in-1 convertible design can be useful for taking notes or presentations.
• Performance: Good balance of performance and features, especially with AMD Ryzen or Intel Core processors.

Cons:

• Price: Slightly more expensive than the Pavilion Plus.
• Battery Life: Performance might impact battery life, although it’s usually acceptable.

HP Spectre

Pros:

• Premium Build: High-end materials and design, very sleek and attractive.
• Performance: Typically equipped with high-performance specs, including Intel’s Evo platform which is excellent for productivity.
• Display and Features: Usually has one of the best displays and additional features like a stylus or higher-quality webcam.

Cons:

• Price: Generally the most expensive of the three.
• Port Selection: Depending on the model, it might have fewer ports compared to others.

[Raj_05]

Recommendation

For a CS student, the HP Spectre is likely the best option if you’re looking for top performance and a premium build. The Evo platform will ensure good battery life and fast performance, which is great for coding and multitasking. However, if budget is a concern, the HP Envy x360 is a solid alternative with good performance and versatility, and it’s a bit more affordable than the Spectre. The HP Pavilion Plus is the most budget-friendly and will handle typical tasks well, but it may not offer the same premium feel and additional features.
 

Ultimately, if you’re leaning towards a more premium build and future-proofing your purchase, the Spectre would be a great choice. If you prefer a good balance of performance and price, the Envy x360 is also an excellent option.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support