See there are no such things that you will need a laptop yearwise. Having a laptop is important and helpful in multiple purpose. As you are CSE student then the introductory courses you will have in 1st year will need a laptop support and from 2nd year it will be extremely important for hardcore coding.

Also having a laptop will help you to study from ebooks. So try to have a laptop now so that you can have no hurdles in your study.

I hope my answer helps. All the very best for your future endeavors!

Hello,

You may require a laptop from the second year when they start lab so that you can practice the experiments in your room. Also you may require the laptop in the third and final year for your seminar, mini project and main project.

However nowadays the faculties take lectures with the help of Powerpoint presentation. You can study the same with the help of your smartphone or the library, but if you feel it is better for you to have a laptop in such situations the I suggest you get a laptop in the first year. You can read the soft copy versions of your textbooks, guides, etc which would be difficult in a smartphone and library may have restrictions in the timings.

SO it is upto you, but by the time you have to do your seminar and projects you will have to have a laptop.

Good Luck