Best Laptops For Mechanical Engineering Students (2023)

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As a Certified Mechanical Design Engineer, I am the right person to tell you which are the best laptops for mechanical engineering students to buy in 2023.

I am going through engineering and have been using nearly most of the mechanical designing software, like ANSYS, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CREO Parametric, MATLAB, LabView, and MS Office. And therefore, I think I am capable enough to cover all these details.

However, before I get into it a little disclaimer. I actually went through all my Engineering with my MacBook. And the reason I did that was that I wanted a MacBook, and most of the other students in my class also had a MacBook.

No one really had any of these super-powerful pcs that I’m about to tell you and the reason being is because at our university we actually had a computer lab where we would do all of our assignments. So none of us actually had any CADing software such as SolidWorks or ANSYS or MATLAB on our laptops.

But when I started my first job as a CAD/CAM Engineer. I was really confused about which laptop should I buy. Like you were right now. So, I thought of writing a detailed guide about these powerful workstations a mechanical engineer should have.

If you are in a hurry you can quickly follow up on our bulleted list of best engineering laptops.

WHY DO MECHANICAL STUDENTS NEED THESE LAPTOPS?

So, if you want to work with SolidWorks at home or for some reason on the bus then you will need a much more powerful computer.

In one case from my undergraduate studies, I had a large Excel spreadsheet that my MacBook couldn’t open. This is where one of these more powerful computers would have come in handy.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING

So, before getting to the video I wanted to mention the most important things you need to consider when you’re buying an engineering laptop.

1- Storage Space

So, the first one is the storage space. You need at least 500 GB of storage space. My computer has almost a terabyte, and I can tell you it’s completely full. The reason why you need more than 500 GB of storage space is that if you are going to be creating any of those catty they take up a lot of room.

So trust me you’re gonna need more than 500 GB of space. Your hard drive should also be solid-state because it has no moving parts and for this reason, it’s a lot faster.

2- Powerful RAM

The second thing you’re gonna need to consider is RAM. More RAM is needed if you have to do computations with a lot of data such as these catting programs. Or if you’re gonna be running a lot of stuff and at the same time so if you want to be surfing the web and rendering video and working it in Excel and working in MATLAB, all at the same time. Then you need more RAM.

So, I would suggest at least 8 GB of RAM but more like 16 gigs.

3- Fast CPU

The third thing you need is a fast CPU, at least Core i5. You’re gonna need this if you want to run any of those programs, again MATLAB, SolidWorks, ANSYS, etc.

4- Dedicated Graphics

The fourth thing you’re going to need to consider is having a dedicated graphics card. If you want to do any 3d-rendering or 3d printing that is done in ANSYS or SolidWorks or whatever then you’re gonna need a dedicated graphics card.

And 2 GB of DDR3 is enough for practically all of those applications.

5- Windows Operating System

The fifth and yet the most important thing is the Windows operating system. Now, most of these programs are only compatible with a Windows operating system, unfortunately. So even when I did need some of them I would have to partition my hard drive disk because I had a Mac and it was a different operating system. And I would still have to install Windows software on half of my disk. As it is the only way to run Windows programs on Mac OS.

So, I would really suggest that you get a Windows operating system.

6- Lightweight

You don’t want to be carrying around a super heavy laptop. You’re gonna get a terrible posture your back is gonna start hurting. And you’re gonna end up not wanting to leave the library because you don’t want to lug around your giant laptop.

So that being said here are my top 10 picks for best laptops for mechanical engineering students to buy in 2023. These are the top best computers for engineering students without any doubt.

BEST LAPTOPS FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTS

Best High-End Laptops (For Professional Designers)

If you are a mechanical engineer and learning CAD is your goal then surely you’ll be in need of the best laptop for mechanical engineers. Any clue why?

The reason is mechanical engineers need to work with advanced software like CAD, Creo, and SolidWorks. Also, analysis and designing software like CFD or ANSYS are the basic building blocks of mechanical engineering. Or you might be interested in running welding and fabrication management software to manage your TIG or MIG weld procedures.

The above software demands high storage, speed, and an excellent display. Compromising on either of the features might not serve the purpose of professionalism in mechanical engineering. Hence, the article has come up with the best engineering laptops to meet the demands of the course.

1- Dell XPS 15 9500 (Best Laptop for Mechanical Engineering Students)

Dell, a company headquartered in Texas is famous not only for its epic hardware but also for offering the best laptops for professional use. It has even come up with the best laptops for mechanical engineers. Dell XPS was released on 13th May 2020 and became popular for its finest details, durability, and immersive audio.

Having a 10th generation intel processor and 16 GB RAM this laptop is ace in storing your most notorious files and heavy software as well. The advanced intel processor will never let you complain about its speed.

The 15 inches screen size and 3,840 by 2,400 resolution incredibly give a sharp, bright, and clear display at the cost of slower response times and a slightly dimmer backlight. However, the 2020 version of XPS has resolved the issue of flickering screens.

Interestingly, Dell deserves appreciation for glossy and anti-reflective display which enables the computer fanatics to stare at the screen for a longer time.

Techno lovers, especially gamers and engineers, are very much fond of the graphic cards of the gadgets. This laptop is equipped with NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650 Ti graphic card which is formidable for mechanical engineers.

The 1.8 kg weight of Dell XPS is considerable enough to carry around the most hectic days of projects. If you are looking for longer battery time then need not to look here and there when this one is offering you the battery timing of 16 hours 52 minutes.

2- Lenovo ThinkPad P52s (Best Workstation for Engineering)

Lenovo is very well known for its customer services and warranty for spare parts availability until 5 years. Partnered with Microsoft and IBM, Lenovo is one of the world’s leading brands. Lenovo ThinkPad P52s was released on 7 February 2018 and known for upgraded battery and durability making it best for engineering students.

Equipped with a 1.9-GHz Intel Core i7-8650U processor and incredible 32 GB RAM, Lenovo ThinkPad miraculously stores your data without hassle.

The 15.6-inch screen of P52s and 3840 x 2160 resolution is bright and detailed, however, this one lacks in the range of colors contrasting to its peers. It is equipped with an NVIDIA Quadro P500 graphic card which is an excellent option for those who are learning CAD, scientific calculations, and Digital Content Creation or 3d printing stuff.

The 4.3 kg of weight makes it a heavy laptop and uncomfortable to carry around in offices, meetings, or universities. However, if you are looking for a laptop that can give you a moderate battery life then P52s can be considered with a battery timing of 8 hours 25 minutes.

3- Apple MacBook Pro (Best Laptop for 3d Modeling)

Apple, the brand which has made a remarkable name and created an incredible monopoly in the international market. Apple has excelled in manufacturing spectacular gadgets including the MacBook pro for engineering students which were released on 13 Nov 2019.

Apple MacBook Pro 2019, is one of the greatest achievements by Apple in terms of the shape and display of the MacBook. Having 2.6GHz 6-core Intel Core i7 and 16 GB RAM Apple MacBook can handle all sorts of heavy software.

It possesses a 16-inch screen and LED backlight display. The display quality of this latest version of MacBook Pro is unmatchable as it gives a brighter 2560 x 1600-pixel Retina display, giving you a ton of pixel real estate.

The magic keyboard features a scissor style magic keyboard switch rather than the conventional butterfly style switch. You’ll surely be delighted and never get tired even after typing for the whole day. Sounds exaggerated but it’s not!

Apple MacBook Pro features a powerful AMD Radeon Pro 5300M graphic card to satisfy the needs of professional or non- professional gamers and mechanical engineers.

After Dell XPS Apple MacBook Pro is another excellent option to consider if you are looking for battery time longer than 8 hours. Having a battery life of 11 hours Apple MacBook Pro can ace your projects without hindrance.

Best Mid-Range Laptops (For Mechanical Engineers)

A well-working and professional laptop are a “must-have” for mechanical engineering students. Without mechanical engineering computers, it is hard for engineering students to meet the course demands.

A mid-range laptop might lack some features however, it can be managed according to your preferences.

The following list of the laptops has considered the budget as well as the mandatory specifications of the laptops for mechanical engineering students.

1- Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 – 15″ Touch-Screen

Microsoft is a company that doesn’t need an explanation. Every workstation, PC, or laptop excluding the “Apple” ones are equipped with Microsoft software. It is one of those booming companies that has offered an array of smart technology. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is the classic example of such technology which was released on October 2, 2019.

Having a 10th generation intel processor and 8 GB RAM makes it three times more powerful than the 2019 MacBook. The quad-core in Laptop 3 has shown a drastic improvement as compared to its old version of Laptop 2.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 features a touch-enabled display however there is no alternative of moving the cursor to perform several tasks like selecting a text. Having a display resolution of 2,256 by 1,504 pixels the laptop gives an excellent display quality.

It is equipped with an outclass Intel Iris Plus Graphics 15” AMD Radeon RX Vega 11 Graphics Microsoft Surface Edition AMD Radeon Vega 9 Graphics Microsoft Surface Edition.

The 3.4 pounds of the Surface Laptop 3  is moderately considerable along with a longer battery timing of 11.5 hours. This laptop can surely be on your buying list if longer battery life is your priority.

2- Acer Predator Helios Laptop

Although Acer laptops are heavyweight, however, they are budget-friendly and durable, making them considerable for university students. Acer launched Acer Predator Helios on 23 June 2020 and became popular due to its display quality and storage. Hence, it is one of the best laptops for 3d animation.

The 15.6 inches of screen size and 1,920×1,080 resolution incredibly gives a sharp, bright, and clear display. It features a full HD display with a 144HZ refresh rate, making it smoother and speedy.

The Acer Predator not only offers an epic performance but also a high-quality display. Having a promising brightness of 343 nits it can work very well even under neon lights and in natural light. The laptop even works efficiently in the dark while providing an eye-friendly vibrance.

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti of Acer Predator can not be overlooked. This graphic card is typically found in the laptops more than the price tag of $1000. Luckily, Acer is offering Nvidia graphic card under an affordable budget.

The shorter battery life of 6 hours and a weight of 5.07 pounds can be the reason for complaints from the users. Its thickness can be an issue for many but durability is what it offers the best. However, if the quality display and friendly budget are your priorities then you should not miss Acer Predator.

Best Budget Laptops (For Mechanical Students)

Students often look for gadgets that don’t burn holes in their pockets and meet all the requirements they are looking for. If you also fall under the same category of such students then welcome, you’ve come to the right place.

The following list is about the best mid-range laptops to consider if your budget is tight yet you want the laptop having flawless specs.

1- ASUS ROG Strix G (Best Laptop for SolidWorks)

Asus is often compared with Acer and both are Taiwanese companies. Asus is very well known for lightweight laptops and reliable customer service. Asus launched Asus ROG Strix on October 2 2019 and became widely accepted due to its display quality, high refresh rate, and RGB lighting system.

Having 6 core processors and 8 GB DDR4 this laptop features a blizzard-like speed while giving you an excellent storage capacity. The processor of ASUS ROG Strix gives you an excellent performance even if you are working with high threaded applications.

Despite having a 144 Hz of refresh rate the display quality is quite disappointing. However, 15.6” of the screen of this laptop is quite a satisfying feature for mechanical engineers making it a good fit for your cozy workspace.

If you are looking for a laptop with longer battery life you can drop the option of ASUS ROG Strix as it only gives a battery life of 5 hours. Heavyweight and noisy fans of this laptop can also disappoint you but it is considered under an affordable budget.

2- Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop

Once again, Acer is the second laptop in our list of the best notebooks for engineers at an affordable price. Acer has launched Acer Aspire 5 Slim laptop on November 11 2019 and became rapidly popular for its high performance and unmatchable audio quality.

Having 4 processors and DDR4 SDRAM this laptop is best for cad-cam. The storage and memory of Acer Aspire can easily be upgraded.

Acer Aspire gives you a full-HD IPS display with incredible color and brightness. Above all the matte finish of Acer Aspire has attracted the attention of many customers around the globe. The backlit keyboard has considerable travel and a decent pop for typing comfortably.

Acer Aspire is equipped with an RX Vega 10 graphic card that assists engineers to monitor all the signals from the card giving a clear picture of power and electrical signals.

If you think 6 hours 48 minutes of battery life and 3.96 pounds of the laptop meets your requirement then Acer Aspire is not a bad option to look for. However, if a lightweight laptop with longer battery life is your priority then you can skip this one.

Also remember: These are the best engineering laptops, even if you are in any field of engineering or even you are a college or accounting student. Whether you are in electrical, mechanical, computer, nursing, civil, mechatronics, graphics design, art, deep learning, programming, ethical hacking (Like Pentesting, Kali Linux) engineering field. because all these fields need to run the same powerful software.

Our Final Thoughts

So, above, I have covered all the best laptops for mechanical engineering students to buy in 2023. I hope you like this article. If you liked it, then please share it with your friends. If you have any comments on the computers I mentioned, or if you have any of the computers and want to give a review, then please leave it in the comments below.

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