If you are in this article, then you must be an engineering student or an engineer. With so many laptops in the market, hyping the goodies about their brand, it gets so confusing and exhausted looking for the perfect computer that matches your needs, isn’t it? Do yourself a favor and go through our article, even if our listed items doesn’t fit your sense of style, you will certainly have a better understanding of what to look for on any ideal engineering laptops.
Things to be considered while getting a laptop for engineering needs:
GPU: This is the foremost hardware that separates the engineering laptops from the rest. Engineering work involves Computer Aided Drafting software like AutoCAD, ANSYS, SolidWorks, and Catia. So, any serious engineering students or professional engineers should buy a laptop with CAD GPU that is exclusively designed for modeling and simulation.
To meet your needs, we recommend getting Quadro line of Nividia or FirePro from AMD. They both are the best in the market. Even they are different brand they are specifically designed to fast calculate the mathematically intensive task-involving rendering.
However, those of us who might be thinking that gaming GPU will get the work done too, then why to invest in expensive workstation? Well, to answer this, let us start by saying yes, the gaming card can do the work, but not as fast compare to the workstation.
The major difference between gaming and CAD graphic card is gaming GPU are designed to achieve faster FPS, where as the CAD graphic card focus on a high level of accuracy, precision and reliability. CAD GPU has a different algorithm design specifically for one specific work. Meanwhile, if you are a gamer pursuing your engineering degree, we have listed some of the laptop that is great for both usages.
Fast CPU: Since, you know you will be running many CAD software with 3D modeling, you need a fast and high processing CPU that gets the work done effectively and efficiently. For simplicity, we recommend an Intel Core i5 or above or equivalent processor. It is well capable of running your sophisticated engineering software like AutoCAD, Unigraphic, ANSYS, or solid works.
RAM: Look at least 8GB of RAM or more. It sure can handle what CPU is processing and will be enough to handle program running in the background.
Operating System: Mac Vs Windows? It all depends on your personal preference. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but as with the viewpoint of engineering needs both get the job done with no complaints. However, Windows tends to have a user – friendlier interface when it comes to a wide array of software.
Hard Drive: You will be innovating new things, so why not go with innovative Solid State Drive (SSD). Compare to a mechanical hard drive, it is fast and have long life expectancy. So, with this you don’t have to worry about frequent hard drive crashing.
Mobility: Screen sizes of 13 to 15 inches will be portable for you. We recommend getting one of those screen size with high battery life over 9 hours because less charging more working is also what portability stands for.
Connectivity and Resolution: With all the above specification included in any laptop, the manufacturer will make sure to include Full HD resolution with Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0 and wireless LAN 802.11. Well, if its not then you know what to look for your ultra fast file sharing.
Alright! Now let’s dig deeper into our selected 6 best laptops for engineering students:
HP ZBook 14 MOBILE WORKSTATION – Cheap, yet best engineered laptop to perform-2016
If you are an engineer or engineering student who is looking for a good engineering laptop that doesn’t break your bank, then do yourself a favor and get this beast. The most notable feature that this laptop has to offer is its AMD FirePro M4100 video card; ridiculously low priced under 800 dollars. If you think you can find cheaper and better workstation than good luck with that.
It is powered by 2.1GHz of Intel Core i7-4600U processor. With a fusion of CAD GPU AMD FirePro and the mighty Intel i7, you sure will have the best experience of CAD software. It is perfectly compatible with any old or new version of AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Catia and many other 2D and 3D modeling software.
Hold on! The goodies don’t end there, with the 8 GB of RAM; you can now actually test your ability to multitask without any barrier. Its intelligent design offers you the true mobility.
It has 14-inch matte screen, displaying 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution. It weighs around 3.5 pounds and has a staggering battery life up to 7 hours. It is geared with DualPoint Backlit Keyboard for low light conditions. For spacious files and fast data transfer, it comes preloaded with 750 GB of HDD, clocking @ 7200 RPM.
This awesome workstation is primarily designed for engineering works. With all the above specification, it sure will handle all the engineering software with the best possible user experience. It truly is an innovative laptop for pioneers.
Image Credit: Amazon LLC.
The New Lenovo ThinkPad P50 Mobile WorkStation- Our top pick for professional engineers-2016
The New Lenovo ThinkPad P50 is next in line. As, we stated earlier, the GPU or video card is the main specs for any ideal engineering laptop. That being said, if you are still wondering about what so special about this laptop, then lets see what it got!
The new Lenovo ThinkPad P50 primarily features three-product modification with higher processor and Graphic card. Yet, in this article we will be focusing on the base level P50 because it pretty much gets the excellent work done!
The base level Lenovo ThinkPad P50 is loaded with new generation Quadro M100M video card. The Quadro M100M is based on 1st Generation Maxwell architecture. It has 512 CUDA cores, clock speed of 933-1072 MHz, the memory speed of 5000 MHz and data transfer speed of 80GB/Sec. It is far more efficient and powerful than its predecessor Kepler architecture. To put this in perspective, the Quadro M100M is equivalent to expensive Quadro K2200M video card with better energy efficiency attributes.
With this powerful CAD friendly GPU, you will not get a single chance to pull your hair unless you have a habit of doing so. Further, it is furnished with an Intel i7-6700HQ processor with a clock speed of 2.6 GHz and can be turbo boost up to 3.5 GHz. It is envisioned to be professional engineers’ next favorite thing. It will run all the 3D modeling software at super fast processing speed.
Now moving on to its other features, which are comparatively of less significance yet makes, this laptop even more pleasing are its 15.6-inch FHD IPS display, fingerprint reader, backlit keyboard, 500 GB HDD and 6-hour battery life.
Its last but not the least feature is its multi connectivity capabilities. With 4 USB3.0 ports, thunderbolt 3 ports, HDMI, mini display port and SDXC reader, it is compatible with almost all the modern generation devices.
In terms of pricing, it has a hefty price tag of $1400, which seems little expensive for engineering students but if you are serious about getting into the field of engineering, one way or another you will ended by investing a lot more than this in the long run, as you decided to settle for cheaper laptops. For professional engineers, there are two upgraded modification version of Lenovo ThinkPad P50, one with Intel i7-6820HQ and another with Intel Xeon E3-1505MU5. If your works demand highly sophisticated CAD than paying a couple of extra bucks will certainly place you on better spot.
Image Credit: Amazon LLC.
Dell XPS 13 Touch screen: best dell laptop for engineering students-2016
If you are looking for an ultra portable yet powerful laptop, then this beast might be the one for you. Running windows OS, its Intel Core i5-5200U 2.20 GHz (turbo boost up to 2.7GHz) integrated with 8GB DDR3 will make sure to run any CAD software in ultra fast mode. Furthermore, its Intel HD 5500 graphics card will not offer you the chance to pull your hair because of lagging or freezing.
Weighing only 2.8 pounds with an accurate touchscreen will ease your workload, especially when attending class lectures. Geared with 256GB SSD drive, further aid the fuel to the fire making it incredibly fast to read and write any command. Whenever you have a long day, which engineering students often do, the staggering 15-hour battery life will save the day for you.
This awesome Dell comes with the QHD resolution. So, you can’t only see the crisp, clear resolution, but can actually feel it. Don’t hold your horse!
Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro Convertible Ultra book: best laptop for engineers -2016
If you are going to college for civil, electrical, mechanical, software or any other engineering, don’t worry, this laptop will be your next favorite thing for your upcoming college days. Its touch screen with digitizer features comes really handy for quick notes taking, drawing diagrams, writing equation and calculations. All this awesome attribute allied with 360-degree, convertible feature; taking a paper notebook will be limited to good old memories with this tech marvel.
Its formidable Intel CoreTM i7-4500U processor, blended with 8GB DDR3L will run all kinds of software in lightning fast speed. Its 13.3-inch screen size displaying 3200×1800 (3K) resolution will expose you to the best working experience ever. Additionally, its 3.1-pound load, classes it in one of the lightest laptop categories.
ASUS Flip 2-in-1 15.6-Inch: Inexpensive laptop for engineering students under $700-2016
For all those who are looking for an ideal engineering laptop, but want to go easy on their wallet, this is the best budget laptop for you. Priced under 700 dollars, it certainly gives you the best bang for the buck. Its Intel Core i5-5200U 2.2 GHz Processor is above the benchmark for running all the CAD software.
Its 15.6-inch screen and weighing only 4 pounds offer the portability that any students desire. Its 1TB hard drive is spacious enough to store all files, folders, music and photos. The full 360 degree, convertible with touchscreen comes handy when taking and drawing notes during lectures. It comes with the latest version of the Windows 10 operating system. It is for sure decent laptop for a great price.
Lenovo Y50 15.6-Inch: Top gaming laptop for engineers -2016
If you are a serious gamer pursuing an engineering degree then look no further than Lenovo Y50. Specially designed for mobile gaming, it is packed with all the required attributes needed by any engineering students. Powered by Intel Core i7-4720HQ 2.6 GHz Processor with 2GB dedicated NVIDA GeForce 860M Graphics card, it can pretty much run any advance software.
Its 1 TB hard drive with 8GB SSD drive is more than enough to store all your assignments and entertainment files. It offers the needed full HD resolution with efficient battery saving mode for engineering students. Well, weighing around 5.25 pounds, it’s not light as our other listed laptops, but we don’t think it will be a much of problem acknowledging the multi functionality it has offered.
HP Envy x360 2-in-1: best HP laptop for engineering students under $1000 dollars-2016
If your choice is gaming laptop with convertible features for ultra portability then this laptop will surely steal your heart. Equipped with Intel i7-5500U, 8GB DDR3 and 2GB dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 930M graphics card, it will operate any software to its fullest efficiency.
It offers the Full HD resolution with touch screen build from an anti-scratch corning gorilla glass. No more worries about getting scratched! Its awesome four modes (laptop, tablet, tent and stand) come in handy by letting you switch as per your need. With 1TB HDD you can store whatever you want and like.
Conclusion
Remember these laptops can handle almost all the required programs or the software, whether you are a computer engineer, civil engineer, electronics engineer or mechanical engineer.
Finally, we hope you got what you looking for. Thank you for reading our article about the 5 best laptops for engineering students. All our selected laptops are preloaded with all the required functionality that students will need. Its outstanding features are favored by many users and considered them to be great for entertainment purpose as well. Good luck with your purchase! Shop Smart! & best of luck for your studies!
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