University season has descended upon us again, so we came up with the top laptops for engineering students. Even if you’re not an engineering major, you will indeed find these laptops useful because they are built for heavy use.
And if you are an engineering major, whether you are just beginning your engineering education or returning for another year, it is crucial to be adequately equipped to be ready for the exacting and multifaceted assignments that can be thrown your way.
One of the most critical pieces in the engineer’s arsenal is a high-functioning and up-to-date computer. In this regard, a suitable laptop for engineering students must provide adequate computing power and (usually) advanced graphical capabilities.
Table of Contents
What To Look For In An Engineering Laptop
Generally speaking, when searching for an ideal laptop as an aspiring engineer, you should consider several specific characteristics.
These include the laptop’s size, the screen’s quality, the CPU, the RAM, the amount of storage available (also if it is SSD or otherwise), and battery life. It is, of course, too essential to consider the accessories you will be using and whether there are appropriate ports on the laptop to accommodate these.
In terms of a “bare minimum,” the consensus seems to suggest:
- An i5 processor or better.
- At least 500 GB of storage space (and preferably of the SSD variety)
- 6 GB of RAM at a minimum.
- A resolution of 1600×900 or better
- Ideally, a dedicated graphics card (especially if you are interested in doing some gaming)!
These specifications should be sufficient to run various CAD and Analysis software and Solidworks and MATLAB for iterative equation solving.
These are all reasonably substantial programs to run on a laptop, and – if you want your work to move quickly – you will need to consider investing in some higher-end bare minimum specs.
Although most of the laptops in the following list come with Windows 10 Home (or Professional) Edition, you may also want to consider whether it will be more appropriate to have another operating system on your system.
The Best Laptops For Engineering Students in 2023
As you can see, it can be a tough slog to select the appropriate laptop for your needs, so here is a list of ten of the best laptops for aspiring engineers in 2023.
Of course, if you have the budget, you will likely want to purchase the best of everything. However, this means something different for everyone; sometimes, this is unnecessary. For this reason, some more budget-conscious selections are included here as well.
Dell Inspiron 15
The Dell Inspiron 15 is affordable for engineering students who need to get some serious work done. It contains an Intel i5 Core with 8GB of RAM (with the option to add more, if necessary). In addition, it includes 128GB of SSD storage space in addition to 1TB of HDD storage space.
This represents a good balance between affordability and functionality. With a maximum screen resolution of 1920×1080, this is more than enough compared to the “bare minimum” specifications outlined above. With four USB 3.0 ports, you will also find that it has enough flexibility to accommodate any accessories you might need to use.
Pros Of The Dell Inspiron 15
- Dedicated graphics card
- Also good for gaming
Cons Of The Dell Inspiron 15
- The screen might not be sufficient for graphics-heavy work
- Battery life at high performance tends to below
Levono ThinkPad
This laptop beast represents one of the higher-end options on this list. However, if you are comfortable with the price, you will find that this setup can even replace a desktop computer in terms of functionality.
With an Intel i7 Core, 32 GB of RAM, 240 GB of SSD storage space, and a dedicated graphics card, this laptop will efficiently run any software necessary for your success in the engineering field. In addition, users report that it runs extremely fast, and booting it up only takes seconds.
Naturally, performing at this level comes with costs. These costs are both explicitly financial and in terms of battery life. But you get what you pay for, and the Levono ThinkPad is undoubtedly worth looking at.
Pros Of The Lenovo ThinkPad
- Higher-end specifications
- Most users report high satisfaction
Cons Of The Lenovo ThinkPad
- Physically heavier than other laptops
- Cost is prohibitive.
Razer Blade Pro 17 Inch
Marketed as a gaming laptop, this setup is a monster in terms of specifications but is reasonably sized to allow for portability. With a screen size of 17.3 inches, a maximum resolution of 1920×1080, and a dedicated graphics card, the Razer Blade Pro is sure to allow you to run any programs you will encounter during your engineering studies. Of course, as you would expect, it is also great for gaming.
Specifically, it contains the higher-end Intel i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and 2000 GB of hybrid storage space. This option stands out from the crowd.
While some users report that the laptop becomes quite hot during the entire operation, others suggest precisely the opposite. Overall, it is worth exploring this option if you have the budget.
Pros Of The Razor Blade Pro 17
- Extremely thin for its specifications
- Better specifications than a Macbook for the price
Cons Of The Razor Blade Pro 17
- The non-SSD drive runs slightly slower.
- Price may be prohibitive for most.
ASUS Zenbook
Another reliable laptop for those who are more discriminating in terms of spending a great deal of money is the ASUS Zenbook. While retaining midrange specifications, this setup comes at an affordable price.
One of the only downsides here is the lack of a dedicated graphics card containing the familiar Intel i5 Core, 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of SSD storage space.
But with a maximum resolution of 1920×1080, the Zenbook looks sharp, and users report that the display is high-quality. In addition, battery life remains solid (depending on heavy or light use).
This option is all-in-all for those who are not looking to replace their desktop but for those who are often on the move and require flexibility.
Pros Of The ASUS Zenbook
- Lightweight (“Zen”)
- A good trade-off between performance and portability
Cons Of The ASUS Zenbook
- Users report some issues with the battery after buying.
- Users report some issues with the physical hinges of the laptop
HP Envy 17
The HP Envy laptop is brand-new on the market and seems to be causing quite a stir. Marketed to those who work heavily with advanced graphics utilities, the specifications for this marvel will likely actually make you the envy of your classmates.
With an advanced Intel i7 Core processor, 16 GB RAM, and a staggering 1 TB SSD for storage space, this laptop already represents an excellent choice for all of your computing needs.
But when you add in the dedicated 4 GB NVIDIA graphics card, which can provide real HD quality in terms of visualization, you can rest assured that this laptop is top-of-the-line for those looking for a mainstream desktop replacement.
Pros Of The HP Envy
- Excellent graphics specifications
- Brand new product (released recently)
Cons Of The HP Envy
- No-touch support
- Some users report issues with the physical hinges of the laptop
Samsung Notebook 9 Pro
This offering from Samsung is a two-in-one laptop/tablet combination. While it can function well for all of your traditional computing needs, it also features a built-in stylus pen (housed in its spot within the body of the laptop) which does not have to charge and has highly accurate pressure sensitivity.
This is perfect for note-taking or any more precise and detailed engineering work that needs to be done by hand.
The setup features high-end specifications, including an Intel i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of SSD storage space (which is upgraded to 1TB of SSD storage space for a little more money)!
It also includes two USB 3.0 ports and is priced at a much better value for money than competing products like the Macbook Pro. Consider the Notebook 9 Pro if you require the type of two-in-one technology for your engineering studies.
Pros Of The Samsung Notebook 9 Pro
- Good value for the price
- Aesthetically pleasing two-in-one design.
Cons Of The Samsung Notebook 9 Pro
- The speakers could be located in a better place to make it sound louder
HP Spectre x360 15
The HP Spectre also includes a responsive stylus pen/touchscreen (which could be used for specific engineering applications).
If you have some extra money lying around and you like the idea of the Samsung Notebook 9, consider investing in this higher-end relative.
With the same Intel i7 processor (but with a faster processor speed of 3.1GHz), 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of SSD storage space, and a dedicated graphics card, this laptop is a sturdier option to consider if you are interested (or need) to have the flexibility of using the stylus.
This laptop also features many peripheral ports for any accessories you might need to use.
Pros Of The HP Spectre
- Useful stylus pen; a 360-degree convertible hinge allows for flexibility in movement.
Cons Of The HP Spectre
- The metal outer case gets quite warm.
- The stylus pen is battery-powered (though in some cases, this is rechargeable)
Acer Predator Helios 300
Numerous other reviews include the Acer Predator in similar lists, and for good reasons! This beast is perfect for engineering students and is also suitable for gaming.
With a 3.8GHz Intel i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, 256 GB of SSD storage space, AND 6 GB of dedicated graphics power, this laptop is one of the best in its price range. This setup is high-speed for basic tasks such as internet browsing, word processing, and Excel analysis.
A laptop also excels at running the more heavy-duty and computing-intensive programs required in engineering. If you do not mind having a computer that looks like a gaming laptop, then the Acer Predator Helios is perfect for you.
Pros Of The Helios 300
- Reasonable price for excellent specifications
- Not a bulky build for its specifications
- It has been around for a while and has many positive consumer reviews
Cons Of The Helios 300
- Only one color is available for keyboard backing (red)
- The metallic casing shows fingerprints easily
The Best Laptop For An Engineering Student?
Well, as you can see from this list, some stand out from the crowd for engineering students in the ever-crowded market for laptops. Make sure to consider your own needs and requirements before making a substantial investment in a computer.
Do some independent research of your own, read consumer reviews like this post, and always consider the general specifications of a setup compared to its price to find good value.
Hopefully, this list can help you narrow down your search and ultimately allow you to perform well in class. Best of luck, and enjoy your studies!
You might also want to read about other types of laptops, and if you’re an engineering student, then there are some crossovers from other lists we’ve done. You’ll find that for many reasons, good gaming laptops are also great for engineering purposes and vice versa:
- Best Laptops Under 600 Dollars For Gaming (and would work well for engineering)
- The Top Laptops For Animation have some features similar to engineering students’ needs
More Posts
Whether you own a small business or a huge enterprise, you're probably using Excel or QuickBooks quite a lot. So we wanted to find the best laptop for QuickBooks. I get it: It's tough to find...
When you're looking for the perfect set of monitors for music production, there are many factors you need to consider for the best purchase. There is a growing space for niche sets of monitors to...