In first year of college you will learn all the subjects such as physics, chemistry,mechanics and all other subject like law for engineer,Etc.

In first year you only have 1 to 2 subject such as programming with C .

Seriously you will learn about your core branch from second year so my honest opinion is that you need laptop in B.TECH in CSE branch from 2nd  year.

Yeah may be Your friend try to make inferior complex of you but seriously laptop is require from 2nd year of college

All the best

Thank you for the query.

In first year of college, there wont be a  need for laptop as you will be taught all the branches of engineering.

In the second year perhaps, you will be needing them