Top 5 Best Laptops for Engineering Students on a Budget

Laptops does not come in one generic form. The number of companies making this device and the demand for every kind of laptop makes it a saturated market. If you are looking for one, you might find it difficult to select one that best fits your needs.

However, there are various guides out there, as well as some recommendations from your seniors, that can help you in selecting which one will fit your needs as an engineering student.

This section hopes to guide you on what are the minimum requirements and what are the ideal specifications that must be in a laptop for it to be fit in the daily life of a student.

Processor

Intel and AMD dominated this space years ago. But there are new competitors challenging their dominance. However, do the offerings of these new players fit the demands of the work shouldered by engineering students?

Intel continues to dominate the computing world in the 21st century. While it continues to face challenges from new players and long-time rival AMD, its microprocessors are still a mainstay in most computers and laptops.

So, it is not surprising that most engineering students recommend getting a laptop with an Intel processor. Perhaps, its mid-range line of products is enough to satisfy the demands of what an engineering student does.

The i5, preferably those from 2 generations ago, are the most recommended processor for engineering students. These processors have the power to handle intensive programs and rendering done by engineering students.

RAM

Students like to multitask. It is a fact long established. With that said, the perfect laptop for someone studying engineering is one that packs the most RAM.

RAM is the part of your laptop responsible for temporarily storing data from applications you have open. A much bigger RAM allows you to have multiple applications open at the same time without experiencing hiccups while working.

An 8 GB RAM is a must for any engineering student. It is due to the fact that most of the programs they use require more memory to run. Anything lesser than 8GB will just leave their software hanging. Or more horribly, their laptop freezing in the middle of doing their homework or project.

Storage

The bigger, the better is your mantra when it comes to storage. Most students save a lot of files. Given that, it is only wise to get a laptop that can handle all the files you need saved.

A SSD drive is most recommended not only for engineering students, but for all. It features a faster reading/writing speed compared to the traditional storage found in computers and laptops. A terabyte SSD is ideal, but 256 GB is acceptable.

Graphics Card

Engineering students usually make some graphic intensive projects. This is especially true for CAD engineering students. You mostly spend your time dealing with CAD or CAE software, then you should look for a device with an NVIDIA graphics card or those from its competitor AMD Radeon.

However, there is no need to invest in workstation cards. Any graphics card with at least 2 GB vRAM is capable enough for civil, mechanical and other CAD engineering students who constantly need a powerful machine to keep up with their school work. For other engineering students, a graphics card is not really a big issue.

Other Important Features

Of course, there are other things that must be in a laptop used by an engineering student.

First, display. The ideal laptop is something that comes at a size that is friendly to your eyes. A 13 inch display is the minimum for engineering students. This size allows you to have multiple windows open without sacrificing the space occupied by your active application.

Next, weight. Since you move around a lot while in school, it is only a no-brainer to have a lightweight laptop. It is ideal to get a laptop that is around the 3 pounds mark. While lightweight laptops might cost more compared to those heavier ones, your back will surely thank you for investing in having a good posture.

Third, connectivity. Students need a wide range of connectivity options. This allows them to easily share files and connect to compatible devices used in the university. Laptops nowadays might no longer come with DVD or CD ports, but many offer ports where you can easily stick a portable device. USB Type C, USB 3.0, HDMI and Display Ports are some of the most essential connectivity features that must be in a modern laptop for students.

Lastly, battery. This is perhaps the most important feature aside from processor, RAM and storage. University students mostly spend their time inside the classroom. Given that, there is a need for a device capable of lasting a day without the need to connect it to a wall socket. The ideal battery capacity for students is those that can deliver at least 5 hours of continuous use. If you are looking for a long lasting laptop, check whether it comes with a lithium ion battery with maximum cells.