# What computer science and cybersecurity students need.

> A computer science or cybersecurity student needs a laptop with enough memory for virtual machines and a GitHub account on their university email. Most tools are free: the GitHub pack, JetBrains, VS Code and the networking tools.

## What computer science and cybersecurity students need

- A laptop with 16 GB of memory or more: if you run virtual machines and Docker.
- A GitHub account on your university email: which opens the free student pack.
- A USB stick: to install systems such as Kali Linux in security courses.
- A second screen: for long coding and study sessions (optional).
- A USB-C hub: if your laptop is short on ports.
- Noise-cancelling headphones: for online lectures and focus.

Specs matter more than the brand: enough memory and storage, and a battery that lasts the university day.


## Best laptop and iPad for computer science and cybersecurity students

Mac or Windows? Both work for programming. A MacBook is comfortable and required for building Apple apps; Windows or Linux is easier for some security and networking tools. Memory and storage matter most, because virtual machines eat both. More in best laptop for students.


## Free and student-priced software for computer science and cybersecurity

- GitHub Student Developer Pack: GitHub Copilot and free developer tools with your university email.
- VS Code: free code editor.
- Cisco Packet Tracer: free network simulator after signing up to Cisco Networking Academy.
- Wireshark: network analysis, free and open source.
- Kali Linux: penetration-testing system for security courses, free.

And on tiswa, once you verify you are a student:

- GitHub offers GitHub Student Developer Pack to university students in Saudi Arabia for free.
- JetBrains offers JetBrains Student Pack to university students in Saudi Arabia for free.
- Google AI offers Google AI Plus free for a year to university students in Saudi Arabia.
- Notion offers Notion Education plan for students to university students in Saudi Arabia for free.


## Questions

### What do computer science and cybersecurity students need?

The basics: A laptop with 16 GB of memory or more, A GitHub account on your university email, A USB stick, A second screen, A USB-C hub and Noise-cancelling headphones. Your college's own list has the last word.

### What is the best laptop or iPad for computer science and cybersecurity students?

Mac or Windows? Both work for programming. A MacBook is comfortable and required for building Apple apps; Windows or Linux is easier for some security and networking tools. Memory and storage matter most, because virtual machines eat both. More in best laptop for students.

### What software is free for computer science and cybersecurity students?

GitHub Student Developer Pack, VS Code, Cisco Packet Tracer, Wireshark, Kali Linux, GitHub, JetBrains, Google AI and Notion. Most check that you are a student with your university email.

### Is a MacBook fine for a cybersecurity student?

For most courses, yes, and Kali Linux runs in a virtual machine. Some networking and wireless tools are easier on Windows or Linux, so check your department's plan.

Sources: https://education.github.com/pack, https://www.jetbrains.com/community/education/, https://code.visualstudio.com/, https://www.netacad.com/, https://www.wireshark.org/, https://www.kali.org/