Confused About What Laptop Specifications I Need for School—Any Advice?

[charliekatherine]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in the process of picking out a best laptop for students, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the specs and options out there. I want to make sure I get something that's both powerful enough for my coursework and won't break the bank.

Here's a bit more about what I'm looking for:

Major: I'm majoring in Computer Science, so I might need to run some specific software like coding environments, virtual machines, and occasionally video editing tools.
Budget: I'd like to stay within the $800-$1,200 range if possible.
Portability: I'll be carrying it around campus a lot, so something lightweight would be ideal.
Battery Life: Good battery life is a must, as I won't always have access to a power outlet between classes.
I've seen a lot of recommendations for different specs, but I'm not sure what's crucial for my needs. Should I prioritize more RAM, a faster processor, or maybe a dedicated graphics card?

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!