A Malaysian computer shop owner has sparked discussion online after claiming that more students are requesting expensive high-spec gaming laptops under the justification of academic needs, leaving some parents burdened by the cost.
In a post shared on Threads, the shop owner said he has increasingly observed students using “study requirements” as a reason to request premium devices, even when their actual coursework may not require such advanced specifications.
He recalled a recent case involving a pair of parents who brought their child to purchase a laptop for university use, initially expecting a standard device suitable for assignments and lectures.
However, the student reportedly insisted on a high-end gaming model, specifically the Acer Predator Helios 16, with prices ranging between RM8,000 and RM16,000.
The shop owner said he was surprised when the student stated they were studying Electrical Engineering, a field which typically does not require top-tier gaming hardware for basic academic work.
He added that many students tend to exaggerate software and hardware requirements, suggesting that without powerful graphics cards, they would struggle to complete their studies.
According to him, even some software-related courses such as programming or software engineering do not necessarily require high-performance gaming-grade machines for everyday academic tasks.
The shop owner expressed concern over the financial strain placed on parents, many of whom work hard to support their children’s education but may not fully understand technical specifications when making purchasing decisions.
He advised parents to conduct basic research or seek professional advice before agreeing to high-cost purchases, rather than relying solely on their children’s requests.
The post has since gained attention online, with many netizens agreeing that while software demands are evolving, most students still only need reasonably capable laptops rather than premium gaming setups.
