Best Laptop for Engineering Students: It’s important to remember that not all laptops are created equal if you’re an engineering student (or will be one soon!). For example, an inexpensive, underpowered Chromebook can be used by many students for word processing and online browsing. That’s probably not the case, however. So if you work in the STEM sector, look for a laptop or tablet with sufficient power at a fair price.
After all, engineering students utilize resource-intensive programs like CAD and MATLAB, which necessitate a more powerful laptop to function correctly. When working with a frequently constrained student budget, it’s crucial to weigh value versus performance. A more affordable notebook or Chromebook won’t necessarily suit the bill.
Your intended area of computer engineering is the most crucial variable. For instance, you’ll need a laptop with a strong processor and lots of RAM to become a software developer. On the other hand, a computer with a big screen and a sound graphics card would be a great choice if you want to work as a hardware engineer.
Table of Contents
The laptop’s dimensions, weight, battery life, and cost are further essential considerations. We’ve compiled a list of the best laptop for computer engineering students majoring in computer engineering to assist you in making the best choice.
What to look for while buying best Laptop for engineering students?
To meet the demands of your education, you need a laptop with sufficient processing power. Additionally, a computer that you can easily transport to both your internship or co-op and classes. In this blog post, we’ll outline the best laptops for computer engineering students and some criteria you should consider before buying a laptop for school.
The most essential factor is to get a laptop that can manage the demands of your education. Both a strong processor and lots of RAM are imperative. A solid-state drive (SSD), which will make your laptop much faster than a conventional hard disc, is also intelligent. A computer with a dedicated graphics card is also brilliant because it will support your 3D modeling and other computer-aided design (CAD) work.
You would want a laptop that is not too big or hefty in portability. A weight of about 3-4 pounds and a screen size of 13–14 inches are appropriate. A laptop with long battery life is also essential because you’ll probably use it for extended periods while not near a power outlet.
It would help if you balanced portability and power in terms of price. Many students won’t be able to afford a laptop that is too pricey. However, a computer that is too inexpensive could not be powerful enough to manage the demands of your education. Therefore, we advise purchasing a laptop between $700 and $1,500.
Examples of the Best Laptop for Engineering Students
Students studying computer engineering want a powerful laptop that can run demanding software. The top laptops for computer engineering students include quick processors, lots of RAM, and prominent displays. However, choose the ideal laptop from our list of the finest computers for students majoring in computer engineering.
One of the best laptops for computer engineering students is the Dell XPS 15. It includes a sizable 15.6-inch 4K display, 16GB of RAM, and an effective Intel Core i7 processor. With a weight of about 4.5 pounds, the Dell XPS 15 is also among the list’s lightest laptops.
Another excellent option for students studying computer engineering is the MacBook Pro. A substantial 15.4-inch Retina display, 16GB of RAM, and a quick Intel Core i7 processor are all included. With a weight of only 4 pounds, the MacBook Pro is also one of the lightest laptops on this list.
Students studying computer engineering who require a powerful laptop for gaming and other demanding jobs might choose the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S GX531. It includes a potent Intel Core i7 processor, plenty of RAM (16GB), and a big Full HD 15.6-inch screen. With a weight of only 4.6 pounds, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus S GX531 is also among the list’s thinnest and lightest laptops.
Important laptop features for students studying computer engineering
If you’re a computer engineering student, you need a laptop that can perform intensive tasks like gaming, 3D rendering, and video editing. But which characteristics are most crucial?
Here are some of the necessities:
Processor:
The processor is the mind of a laptop. A strong processor is necessary for students studying computer engineering. Pick a laptop with a quad-core AMD Ryzen 7 or Intel Core i7 processor.
Graphics:
A laptop’s graphics processing unit (GPU) is in charge of its visuals. A dedicated GPU is necessary for computer engineering students who need to perform 3D rendering or other graphically demanding jobs. Pick a laptop with an AMD Radeon RX 580 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 GPU.
Memory:
Laptops with more RAM can handle more applications and processes at the same time. Therefore, we always suggest a laptop with at least 16GB of RAM for computer engineering students who must multitask.
Storage:
Traditional hard disc drive (HDD) storage is significantly slower than solid-state (SSD) storage. An SSD is necessary for computer engineering students who must swiftly access massive files. Pick a laptop with 512GB or more of SSD storage.
Display:
A laptop’s screen serves as a window to the outside world. We suggest a laptop with a 4K (3,840 x 2,160) display for computer engineering students who need to see fine details.
Battery duration:
Nobody wants to spend the entire day hooked up to a power outlet. Therefore, we suggest a laptop with at least 9 hours of battery life for students majoring in computer engineering who need to remain productive while on the go.
Best laptops for engineering students 2024
Due to their discrete graphics cards, powerful CPUs, and ample RAM and storage, today’s top gaming laptops are frequently suitable for handling engineering courses. Of course, the goal is to run the newest games and make them look as spectacular as possible, but comparable requirements can be found in many contemporary technical projects.
To help you make decisions, continue reading for our selection of the best laptops for computer engineering students. Naturally, it would help if you always contacted the engineering department at your school to find out what they advise for your particular coursework and fields of study.
MacBook Pro 2023 (16-inch)
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M2 Pro chip |
| Graphics | Apple M2 Pro chip with up to 32-core GPU |
| Display | 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2234 |
| Memory | Up to 64GB unified memory |
| Storage | Up to 8TB SSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Ports | Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI port, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3 port |
| Keyboard | Magic Keyboard with backlit keys and Touch ID |
| Operating System | macOS Monterey |
| Battery Life | Up to 21 hours of battery life |
| Dimensions | 14.18 x 9.75 x 0.66 inches (35.99 x 24.77 x 1.68 cm) |
| Weight | Starting at 4.7 pounds (2.14 kg) |
Reasons to buy:
- +Beautiful Liquid Retina XDR display
- +Incredible performance trounces the competition
- +Finally, more than USB-C ports
Reasons to avoid:
- -Display is sub-4K
- -Expensive, especially with M1 Max
The M1 Max chip, which enhances graphics performance on the Mac to a completely new level, makes the 16-inch MacBook a beast. Additionally, the display is improved because of its significant redesign, which features narrower bezels than ever before. Finally, it catches up to the Dell XPS InfinityEdge display (everyone will get over the notch, trust us). With mini-LED technology, excellent picture quality due to great contrast, and a 120Hz refresh rate for perfect smoothness, that screen is also better than before.
And that’s only the beginning of the tale. The ports of MacBooks are realigned in the 2021 MacBook Pros, reversing the previous five years’ “USB-C or bust” policy. You now have an SD card slot, an HDMI out for connecting to monitors, and an SD memory reader for real cameras.
Dell XPS 15 0LED (2022)
Specifications
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13900H (13th Gen) Processor |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU (16GB GDDR6) |
| Display | 15.6-inch 4K Ultra HD OLED InfinityEdge display with HDR 400 |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2400 |
| Memory | Up to 64GB DDR5 RAM |
| Storage | Up to 4TB PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Ports | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 ports, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, SD card reader, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Keyboard | Full-size backlit keyboard |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours of battery life |
| Dimensions | 13.57 x 9.06 x 0.71 inches (34.45 x 23.01 x 1.8 cm) |
| Weight | Starting at 3.99 pounds (1.81 kg) |
Reasons to buy:
- +Gorgeous 3.5K OLED display
- +Sleek chassis
- +Impressive performance
- +Roomy and comfy keyboard
Reasons to avoid:
-Sub-par 720p webcam
All updated Dell XPS 15 versions are equipped with the newest 12th-generation Intel Core CPUs and include Windows 11. In addition, Nvidia 30-series GPUs are available in higher-end combinations, giving this laptop real power for CAD work and gaming. The XPS 15 is the best laptop for computer engineering students because of how much energy it can fit into a small, sophisticated ultraportable, and that’s before you consider the fantastic speakers and stunning, immersive InfinityEdge display.
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
Specifications
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-11800H (11th Gen) Processor |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU |
| Display | 14.4-inch PixelSense Flow display with 2400 x 1600 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate |
| Memory | Up to 32GB LPDDR4x RAM |
| Storage | Up to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ports | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-A port, Surface Connect port, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Keyboard | Surface Slim Pen 2 with haptic feedback and tilt support, backlit keyboard |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
| Battery Life | Up to 16 hours of typical device usage |
| Dimensions | 11.71 x 9.30 x 0.71 inches (29.75 x 23.6 x 1.8 cm) |
| Weight | Starting at 3.46 pounds (1.57 kg) |
Reasons to buy:
- +Versatile sliding hinged display
- +Great speakers
- +Bright, vibrant screen
- +Slim Pen 2 stylus works well
- +Good battery life
Reasons to avoid:
- -Performance could be better
- -Ports are sparse and inconveniently placed
The Surface Laptop Studio is Microsoft’s premier Windows 11 device. The Surface Laptop Studio is promoted as a one-stop shop for work, play, and entertainment, much like Windows 11.
Thanks to its 11th Gen Intel CPU and 16+ GB of RAM, it can handle most schoolwork. However, if you spend more money on a model with a discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, the Surface Laptop Studio also serves as a suitable workstation for demanding engineering tasks (not to mention gaming in the dorm).
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
Specifications
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS Processor with 8 cores and 16 threads |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU |
| Display | 14-inch Full HD IPS-level display with 144Hz refresh rate and Adaptive-Sync technology |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Memory | Up to 32GB DDR4 RAM |
| Storage | Up to 1TB NVMe PCIe SSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ports | 1 x USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, HDMI 2.0b, 3.5mm audio combo jack, Kensington lock slot |
| Keyboard | Backlit chiclet keyboard with customizable per-key RGB lighting |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home or Windows 11 Home |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours of battery life |
| Dimensions | 12.76 x 8.74 x 0.70 inches (32.4 x 22.2 x 1.78 cm) |
| Weight | Starting at 3.53 pounds (1.6 kg) |
Reasons to buy:
- +Great performance
- +Excellent display and audio
- +Super-portable design paired with 11-hour battery life
Reasons to avoid:
- -No webcam
- -Keyboard has backlighting issues
With an AMD Ryzen 9-4900HS processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q GPU, the 14-inch Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is a powerful gaming laptop. However, engineering students can make better use of all that power. The Zephyrus G14 stands out from other gaming laptops because of its exceptional 11 hours of battery life when you’re not gaming, which means you can bring it through a day of classes without scrambling for a charger. In addition, the ROG Zephyrus G14 is inexpensive for a gaming laptop, which is essential for students attempting to keep costs down. Its price ranges from $1,049 to $1,999.
Alienware m15 R4 (2021)
Specifications
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-12900HK (12th Gen) Processor |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU (16GB GDDR6) |
| Display | 15.6-inch Full HD or 4K OLED display with up to 360Hz refresh rate |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) or 3840 x 2160 (4K) |
| Memory | Up to 32GB DDR5 RAM |
| Storage | Up to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Ports | 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, Mini DisplayPort 1.4, Ethernet, Alienware Graphics Amplifier Port |
| Keyboard | AlienFX per-key RGB keyboard with N-Key rollover and anti-ghosting |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home or Pro |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 hours of battery life (may vary based on usage) |
| Dimensions | 14.02 x 10.87 x 0.88 inches (35.6 x 27.6 x 2.2 cm) |
| Weight | Starting at 4.65 pounds (2.11 kg) |
Reasons to buy:
- +Sleek design
- +Powerful performance
- +Nice keyboard and touchpad
- +Highly customizable
Reasons to avoid:
- Fan becomes extremely loud
- Short battery life
One of the best gaming laptops available is the Alienware m15 R4, which is powerful enough to run any game you choose, including full UHD 4K. For intensive technical work, all that power, the stunning 4K display, and the superb keyboard should be beneficial.
The m15 R4’s battery life is perhaps its most notable drawback; in our battery test, it lasted only four hours on a single charge and considerably less while in actual use. It will cost you between $2 and $3k, depending on how you specify it. It also gets hot and noisy under heavy loads.
How to choose the best laptop for computer engineering students?
You must first choose the type of laptop you require. For example, a simple notebook will do if you use it only for education and casual computer use. On the other hand, you will need a more powerful laptop if you intend to use it for intensive gaming or video editing tasks.
You’ll consider your budget once you’ve chosen the type of laptop you require. First, it would help to decide how much you will spend because laptops can cost anywhere from $200 to $2000. Even with a limited budget, you can still locate a good laptop for work and other purposes. However, you can obtain a better laptop with more features if you’re ready to spend a little extra money.
It would help if you ultimately determined which qualities are crucial to you. For example, some features, such as a backlit keyboard or a fingerprint reader, are pleasant but unnecessary. However, a specialized graphics card or a large display can significantly improve your computing experience. Please choose your most essential things and let them serve as your buying criteria.
Finding the best laptop for computer engineering students should be possible if you consider these suggestions. You’ll find the ideal laptop for your needs if you take your time and do your research.
FAQs:
Are powerful laptops necessary for engineering students?
As explained in this post’s beginning, engineering students require a powerful laptop. Due to the programs they use, these students need to be able to push their laptops far farther than students in most other areas. For example, even though both are essential, CAD or SolidWorks windows draw substantially more power from the student than a text document or online search.
Which is the best laptop for computer engineering students?
The Dell XPS 15 (2022) is our choice for the best laptop for computer engineering students overall. Because of its overall strength in value compared to the 2023 model, the 2022 model is still our recommendation for engineering students. If you want to see more designs and our other best laptops for computer engineering students, check out the list above.
Are powerful laptops necessary for engineering students?
As explained in this post’s beginning, engineering students require a powerful laptop. Due to the programs they use, these students need to be able to push their laptops far farther than students in most other areas. For example, even though both are essential, CAD or SolidWorks windows draw substantially more power from the student than a text document or online search.
Read More about best laptops for students