If you are an engineering student, you may have felt the need to get the best laptop to help you run all the heavy-weight programs. Engineering students usually want a laptop that can do a lot of work without slowing them down too much. We understand that most of you may want something that does not hurt your pocket too much without compromising on the features. We have a list of best laptops for engineering students that fit in different price ranges and have features that can be helpful for engineering students.
The MacBook line offers three distinct choices: the 13-inch Air, 13-inch Pro and 16-inch Pro. Students who need a remote learning tool are going to naturally gravitate towards one of them.
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- If you do processor-intensive work like video editing and app development but don't want to deal with the extra size and weight of the 16-inch Pro, the $1,500 version of.
- Meanwhile, students in creative disciplines like graphic design or video production will benefit from having a Mac. And for students on a budget, there's the Chromebook.
Buying Guide
When choosing the best laptop for an engineering student in 2021, there are some important factors that should help make your purchase decision. Apart from common requirements such as a fantastic display and impressive battery life, consider additional factors if you are a student.
- Software compatibility – An engineering student may use specific software programs like AutoCAD, Photoshop or Oracle if he/she happens to be a computer engineer. While requirements might vary, it is essential to find out whether your laptop runs on Linux, Windows or Mac. Make sure your laptop supports the software programs that you plan to use for your studies.
- Graphics rendering capability – Programs like CAD/CAM and any kind of analysis software will require 3D rendering to be done on a work-class level. Some people do suggest gaming laptops to be the best alternative but they are usually not portable and don't deliver on battery life. They do have a dedicated graphics card that could help.
- Multiple processor cores – The newer generation Intel i7 processors and AMD Ryzen chipsets are ideal for engineering students. Every last automation, programming and design rendering software demands as many cores as possible combined with higher RAM capacity.
- Battery life – Never opt for a laptop that offers less than 7 hours of battery life especially if you are planning to take your laptop to the university and need to be away from a charging point for extended periods. It also helps in getting the most out of your work done on the go than at home.
- Look for a bigger display – The laptop you choose should at least have a 14 or 15-inch display because larger displays reduce eye strain, are easier to use in most applications and can also double up as an optional device for entertainment such as movies or gaming. They are ideal for students who live in a dormitory and have limited space to set up dedicated monitors.
The Best Engineering Laptops
Best Engineering Laptop From Lenovo With Excellent Performance
Lenovo ThinkPad P50
The P50 is an outstanding laptop built by Lenovo. The lowest model features an Intel Skylake i7 processor with 16GB RAM. It has a 128GB SSD and a 500GB HDD. The 15.6-inch full HD screen has perfect viewing angles. The premium performance of this laptop puts it at the top when it comes to performance. Engineering students who are hunting for a laptop that provides top-notch features will love this machine.
Why you should buy this?
- The workstation is perfect for computing-intensive productivity apps like CAD or any other engineering software.
- The laptop offers outstanding connectivity with an extensive selection of ports.
- Equipped with enterprise-class features for the most in-demand mobile workstation use.
- The laptop has passed MIL-STD 810G tests, which ensures it is long-lasting.
- It is competent to run most high-end games for engineers who love gaming
Best Affordable Laptop For Engineering Student
Dell Inspiron i7559-763
This 15.6-inch laptop is powered by 6th Gen Intel Quad-Core i5 processor along with 8 GB RAM to deliver a speedy performance. The 256GB SSD memory ensures friskiness and the Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M graphics card makes videos very clear. The SSD memory ensures durability and a higher sense of reliability when it comes to the storage on the laptop. It is the best laptop for engineering students who want something powerful. The pricing is competitive too making it good for students who do not want to spend too much on a laptop.
Why you should buy this?
- The system remains cool even after numerous hours of operation and showcases great performance
- Optimized for work productivity as well as mid-range gaming performance
- A pre-calibrated screen that can be set to specific modes for different needs.
- An ideal choice for content-creation hobbyists
Best Laptop For Engineering Student With Light Weight
HP ZBook 14-G1
Powered by Intel Core i7 and paired with 8GB RAM, the HP ZBook 14-G1, is all about quick results and brilliant performance. The 14-inch screen is bright and produces vibrant colors, the battery life is decent, and it is a lightweight laptop so that you can easily carry it around. It is built for durability and overall, it is a great laptop. The only consideration you may have to make is that it does not use SSD technology for its storage. While the storage is 750GB which is good for storing lots of files, you will get it in the form of a hard drive.
Why you should buy this?
- With an Intel Core i7 processor, a robust 16GB of RAM, a 240GB SSD and a good graphics chip, this 14-inch laptop can seamlessly handle highly challenging tasks.
- The full HD (FHD), 1,920 x 1,080p resolution screen is bright and vibrant and produces plenty of detail from a wide range of viewing angles, which makes a great laptop for a movie buff.
- ZBook 14 is intended for engineers who do a lot of work but also need portability and style.
Best Powerful Laptop For Engineering Student From Apple
Apple MacBook Air MD711LL/A
The 11.6 inch MacBook Air is a thing of beauty. For engineering students who would like to carry something sleek and classy along with them, the MacBook Air is the perfect laptop. Everything from its Intel Core i5 processor to the brilliant display, the 11.6 inch MacBook Air is a total winner when it comes to the best engineering laptop.
Why you should buy this?
- MacBook Air is completely green compliant, suitable for nature conscious buyers who want to contribute to nature.
- Packed with Intel Core i5 processor and boasts an impressive display resolution of 2560X1600 with 4 million pixels which result in a stunning display.
- For engineering students looking for something sleek and classy, the MacBook Air is an ideal laptop.
Best Laptop For Engineering Student With Great Battery Life
Asus K501UX
This Asus laptop is primarily built for gamers, but the reason why we find it particularly useful for engineering students is that it has a suitable amount of storage space, a good processor, and adequate RAM. The battery life is good so that you can work on it for most of the day without worrying about a charging outlet too often. It runs Windows 10, has a 15.6-inch brilliant screen, it features an Intel Core i7 processor with 8GB RAM and 256GB flash memory. It is designed to stay cool even after long periods of use which makes it a great engineering laptop.
Why you should buy this?
- Features Intel Core i7 processor with 8GB RAM and 256GB flash memory, which makes it a great buy for gamers.
- Designed to stay cool even after prolonged periods of utilization which makes it a wonderful laptop for engineers.
- Presents portability and performance in one package.
- It is designed with two USB 2.0 ports and another two USB 3.0 ports, which is sufficient connectivity for an average user.
Best Affordable Laptop For Engineering Student With Big Storage
Acer Aspire E5-573G
It has a 15.6-inch screen which is very vibrant and produces colors decently. Can you play video games on a macbook. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor along with 8GB RAM and 1TB HDD. It runs on Windows 10 and has a good performance because of its processor. It uses an NVIDIA GeForce 940M graphics card with dedicated 2GB RAM which helps in great graphics.
Why you should buy this?
- Power-driven by Core i5 processor along with 8GB RAM and 1TB HDD to deliver a swift performance.
- A 6-inch screen is very vibrant and produces colors decently.
- Utilizes an NVIDIA GeForce 940M graphics card with 2GB RAM which helps in great graphics for gaming.
Best Laptop For Engineering Student With Speedy Performance
HP Pavilion 17.3 inch Laptop
This laptop has a 17.3-inch display for engineering students who prefer a larger screen. The Gen 4 Intel Core i7 processor and the 8GB memory ensure an outstanding performance. The display is good and it uses HP's BrightView technology to ensure good viewing angles. The laptop uses an Intel Graphics 4400 graphics card. It runs on Windows 10 and has 1TB storage. It is a good engineering laptop with speedy performance, adequate battery life, and good storage space.
Best Macbook For Design Students
Why you should buy this?
- Large 17.3' display area is the USP and major benefit of this model so watching movies is a superb experience.
- Due to its pocket-friendly price, it is just perfect for budget-conscious buyers.
- It ticks various boxes like portability, sleek look, powerful performance as well as durability, which makes it a great machine for student use.
Best Engineering Laptop From MSI With A Sturdy Look
MSI GL62 6QF-893
This notebook is a brilliant machine. It is durable and resilient and it has a strong CPU architecture along with a great performance. It packs a Core i7 processor with 8 GB RAM and 1TB hard drive storage. It is a fast machine with high precision and responsiveness. Working on this laptop is a smooth experience because that saves a lot of time and helps you be more efficient.
Why you should buy this?
- Perfect choice for engineering students due to its brilliant performance to affordability ratio
- Equipped with Nahimic audio technology to amplify your extensive gaming experience.
- Intel i7-6700HQused on the GL62 6QF-893 which is a very common processor present in top-notch gaming laptops and has a base frequency of 2.6 GHz.
Best Engineering Laptop With Multitasking Features
Toshiba Satellite C55
Toshiba's C55 is a great laptop that promises nothing less than the buttery smooth performance. This 15.6-inch laptop draws its power from an Intel Core i7 processor with 8 GB RAM. It has a 1 TB Hard drive space. It features an HD screen and runs on Windows 10. The average battery life is about 6 hours which is good for the average student. The laptop is reliable and it shows great performance when you multitask. As an engineer, you may end up multitasking very often. In times like those, this laptop will prove to be great for the money paid.
Why you should buy this?
- The laptop is consistent and shows excellent performance while multitasking, which makes it a great choice for engineers.
- The standard battery lifeis about 6 hours which is ideal for students.
FAQs
What features are essential in laptops for engineering students in 2021?
The laptop should have at least 7 hours of battery life and preferably have a 15-inch display. Most students should also opt for a laptop with a built-in AMD graphics card or Nvidia graphics card to support graphically intensive processes like CAD.
Can I install Windows 10 64-bit or Linux if required?
Some laptops do come pre-installed with Windows 10 64-bit edition but if they are Home edition, you can choose to upgrade it separately. Linux is open-source software and should be easy to install if you follow the guide available online.
How do I replace the battery if it fails?
Based on whether you have purchased your laptop from Dell, HP, Lenovo or other brands, you should contact their support center to get officially authenticated products.
Can I install all my engineering software programs on these laptops?
The answer is yes and no! No one can guarantee that every software would work because many programs require multi-cores, increased RAM and specific OS requirements in order to run efficiently. Compare your laptop specs with the software's recommended requirements to find out.
Can I connect Bluetooth mice, keyboard and drawing pad for engineering studies?
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Yes. Most modern-day laptops support Bluetooth connectivity. Alternatively, you can also use the Wi-Fi dongle provided with wireless mice to connect. Drawing pads usually work better on the USB port.
How do I connect my laptop to an external display?
You can use the VGA port to connect to an external display but an HDMI port is found in newer models and it should allow you to push your display limit to 25-inch or 27-inch large monitors.
Are software used in engineering courses offered for free with any laptop?
In most cases, you will not find them bundled unless it is a specific offer for students. You should purchase them separately and install them to start using those for your studies.
Conclusion
We did our research on the best laptop for college engineering students 2016 you can buy in 2019. We have added laptops from different price ranges and ensured that each one offers good performance and provides a decent battery life so that you can enjoy working on the laptop even when you use heavyweight programs. We have also kept durability in mind while putting our list together because students would want something that is durable enough to last them through their college without having to take them to the store for repair too often.
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Students preparing to head back to school for the spring semester or even embark on a new college journey can benefit from having the right technology at their fingertips. Between desktop Macs, MacBook Pro laptops, and even iPads, choosing the perfect device for school can mean sorting through hundreds of different configurations.
AppleInsider is breaking down your list of options to find the best MacBook for students, whether you're a college student heading off to campus this fall or the parent of a child in elementary school needing a budget-friendly Apple computer for remote learning. From the longest battery life to the lowest Apple prices on machines that offer best-in-class performance, we've got you covered.
Best Performance Laptop: 16-inch MacBook Pro
The 16-inch MacBook Pro still has Intel processors, and when configured with higher-end processors and graphics, it remains the fastest Mac laptop in most cases. Users who want an M-series processor in the big-screen MacBook Pro will have to wait a little longer. Best free music video software.
Students who need a bit more power, such as artists and designers, can easily find it here. The large, 16-inch screen provides ample working space at a 3072-by-1920 native resolution, perfect for working in programs like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. The option to upgrade to a Core i9 processor means you'll always have power to spare, regardless of the project.
Depending on what programs students will be running, they have several memory and graphics options available to them. For general use, the base 16 gigabytes of memory will be more than enough for most students and has the added benefit of saving them money. If a student plans on doing extensive video editing or 3D modeling, they can upgrade to either 32 or 64 gigabytes of RAM at an additional cost.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro has a variety of options when it comes to graphics, as well. The base model features an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M card with 4GB of GDDR6 memory, which is sufficient for most users. However, power users may find that upgrading to the AMD Radeon Pro 5600M option gives them better results when working in programs like Maya or AutoCad.
For students in creative majors, such as digital arts and design, we suggest upgrading storage to at least 1TB, if not more. That assures that you won't be butting up against storage caps during finals week. For multi-device users, an iCloud account is recommended, especially for students who like to split between working on a MacBook Pro and an iPad.
Users who need Windows via Bootcamp or prefer multiple monitors will need an Intel-based MacBook Pro. This is still the best overall choice for users who need the biggest portable display, most versatility, and more external monitor support.
As always, it's suggested that prospective students speak to their academic advisors about what sort of computer may best suit their needs.
- High performance
- Long battery life
- Big screen
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Huge footprint
The MacBook Air with an M1 processor packs a serious punch and even competes with Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro for single-core performance. You can get a new baseline MacBook Air for $899 with a student discount. The 13.3-inch retina display will display your notes and video in brilliant colors at a high 2560-by-1600 resolution.
There are two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the side, which means you can charge your device and connect an external drive or peripheral at the same time. The M1 processor limits this laptop to connecting to a single external display up to 6K.
Because it weighs in at only 2.8 pounds, your back will thank you as you move about the campus during the day. Customers can configure the Apple Silicon based MacBook Air with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and between 256GB and 2TB of internal storage.
The MacBook Air has no fan, has a slim and light chassis, and remains one of the best MacBooks for the money. The M1 also gives users an extended battery life of up to 20 hours on a single charge, so no matter how long the school day you'll have plenty of battery left.
- Low price
- Lightweight
- Small form factor
- Only two ports
- Fanless design limits peak processing
Best Macbook For Design Students Email
Whether you're a commuter, living in a dorm, or simply want the option to take your MacBook Pro to class, the best all-around choice is the new 13-inch MacBook Pro. It combines portability with enough power for nearly any project most students will encounter.
The small size means it fits easily into most backpacks and laptop bags, but the 2560-by-1600 native resolution allows for ample working space. This makes it ideal for writing papers or working in your college's course management system, and the gorgeous retina display is ideal for streaming your favorite Apple TV+ shows.
This MacBook has several different storage options to choose from. We suggest that students upgrade to the one terabyte storage option, which allows them to store papers, projects, and pictures without fear of butting up against the storage capacity. For users who save a lot of music or video files, we suggest at least two terabytes to be safe.
The introduction of the M1 processor changes how students should choose their MacBooks. The 13-inch MacBook Pro has a fan, which means the M1 can run longer at higher loads without throttling, and has 8-cores instead of 7 for better multi-core performance. What this means is that students designing games or editing film will be able to process larger projects faster over time than what the fanless MacBook Air can handle.
You can configure the 13-inch MacBook Pro with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and between 256GB and 2TB of internal storage. There are only two Thunderbolt 3 ports and you can only connect a single external monitor up to 6K.
Users who need more monitors, external GPUs, or Windows emulation should look to the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
If you're not sure what upgrades you should pick, your academic advisor or a professor in your major should be able to help point you in the right direction.
- Smaller size
- M1 runs without limits with a fan
- Best combination of size vs performance
- High starting price when compared to similar MacBook Air
- Only one external monitor
We might all want a MacBook Pro, but if you can live without the portability, then invariably –– invariably –– a desktop computer will give you more performance, more power, and more storage than a laptop for the same price. Plus, no MacBook Pro can match the screen of a 27-inch iMac.
That clearly makes this machine a perfect buy for arts, graphics, or media students. However, you don't need to be running Photoshop or Final Cut Pro X to appreciate the benefits of an exceptional screen.
Plus, the way the 27-inch iMac 5K is effectively a slim screen with a computer hidden inside it, means that it's a great buy for a small dorm. You could do with a good lock on that dorm, but you couldn't do better than this iMac.
The same iMac range does include a 21-inch model, with a screen that is optionally 4K, but it isn't recommended. The 27-inch version doesn't just come with six more inches of screen diagonally, it comes with higher resolution, and processors up to 8-core Intel Core i9.
The 21.5-inch iMac can have up to six cores and Intel Core i7. The non-Retina edition has only two cores and an Intel Core i5 processor. The 27-inch model easily beats both of these with its graphics processor options, too.
- Large high-resolution displays
- Highly configurable and upgradable
- Choose your own mouse and keyboard
- Not portable
- Still ships with slow HDD or Fusion Drives in lower-tier models
- Old design that might be changed in next update
The Mac mini is officially a desktop, but it's small enough that you could move it around easily. You wouldn't take it to class, and you couldn't do much with it once you got there, but when you need to move where you set up your work, its small size is convenient. And it belies just how powerful the tiny Mac for students can be.
You do have to buy a separate screen, keyboard, and mouse or trackpad, however. And while the entry-level version now comes with 256GB of SSD storage, that's still not excessive.
This may be the cheapest Mac on the market, but because it has an M1 processor, it rivals even the high-end 16-inch MacBook Pro. Due to having an additional HDMI port, you can connect two monitors to this Apple Silicon based Mac.
- Semi-portable in small casing
- Choose your own monitor, keyboard, and mouse
- Many ports
- 256GB at entry model is untenable
- Less ports than Intel variant
If your coursework can be accomplished via a web app or you do not need any specific desktop-based applications, you may want to try an iPad for school. If you're using an iPad for schoolwork, you'll likely want a keyboard and trackpad as well, which does add to the overall cost.
Of course, there is also the option of buying the iPad as an add-on device and use it as a small note-taking tablet with Apple Pencil or as an extended display for your Mac with SideCar. However, should you decide to take advantage of the iPad, the device can significantly enhance any workflow.
As a reminder, the iPad can only run apps from the App Store, so you'll need to ensure you can perform your classwork from the iPad before purchasing the device.
The 10.2-inch iPad has a retina display and lacks some of the more pro-level features to drive the price down. It supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple's Smart Keyboard. The current iPad has an A10 Fusion chip that is still supported by iPadOS and can easily run modern applications.
This is the perfect device for a young student just starting out, and Apple pushes this device for education markets. The base model has 32GB of storage for $329, but it is recommended you upgrade to the 128GB option for $100 more.
The iPad Air is Apple's best iPad that still has Touch ID. It has a laminated 10.9-inch display and supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Its A14 Bionic chip delivers a similar experience to what is found on the pro models with the new flat-sided design.
You'll likely want the iPad Air if you don't want to spend more on the pro models or just want to use it as a secondary computer. The iPad Air starts at $599 with 64GB of storage, but as with the base iPad, it might be wise to upgrade the memory to the next tier. The 256GB model is $749.
The iPad mini is essentially the iPad Air crammed into a 7.9-inch display. There is no Smart Keyboard, but the first-generation Apple Pencil is compatible. The $399 price gets you 64GB, and upgrade to 256GB for $549. The A12 Bionic is used in this model and excels in the smaller display.
The iPad mini is a versatile device. You can attach a keyboard and use it as a miniature computer, or carry it in your pocket with the Pencil and have a portable-digital notepad.
The iPad Pro is Apple's flagship tablet, and the company promotes it as a fully capable Mac alternative. You could use it as a second display or notepad like with the other models, but as these devices cost as much as a MacBook Air or Mac mini, you'll likely want it for more.
The A12Z Bionic, LiDAR camera and full-screen 120Hz display set the iPad Pro apart. Apple also offers a unique keyboard called the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, and it features scissor-switch keys and a trackpad on a thin-designed case. Combine this with the second-generation Apple Pencil, and you'll have a laptop/tablet combo that takes whatever shape you need on the fly.
The 11-inch iPad Pro is $799, and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is $999 for 128GB of storage. This can be increased up to 1TB of storage in either for a $500 increase.
All iPad models can be configured with cellular for a $150 price increase at purchase.
Ultimately, the best MacBook for students — or even iMac or iPad Pro — is dependent on each person's particular needs, including grade level, college major, learning environment (remote vs in-person) and budget. To all the students out there, we wish you the best of luck as you hit the books for the spring semester.
