You must be looking for a laptop with one of the best configurations if you are a mechanical engineering student in 2023 because you will need it to run demanding programmes like CAD, MATLAB, and even GINT.
The most effective laptops for engineering students have a strong setup. Even if someone claims that a laptop is everything for a student of mechanical engineering, they are not at all mistaken.
This is due to the fact that engineering students complete the majority of their academic work on laptops rather than heavy books because they must instead learn from PPTs, PDFs, or teacher-provided notes.
Moreover, the costs associated with creating a physical design can be significantly reduced by using a laptop as a mechanical engineer but the best laptops must check all the appropriate boxes, thus choosing the correct processor and GPU is crucial.
Buying Guide:
To avoid wasting your money, there are a few characteristics and factors you should consider before purchasing a laptop.
Laptop Size
We’ll start with the laptop’s size. You should not get a too compact laptop just because it’s easier to carry around.
You should be aware that you’ll be using your laptop a lot. It is definitely not a smart idea to get a small laptop since if you were to work on one with a screen size of 12 or 13 inches, you would end up damaging your eyesight because working on CAD models often requires hours of staring at the screen.
A 15-inch laptop would therefore be the ideal choice.
Screen
Now that we’re talking about the screen, the resolution shouldn’t be too low because you’ll be working on a laptop for hours and utilizing a computer with a poor screen resolution will be the equivalent of losing your vision.
We advise you to choose full HD, but don’t choose anything higher because doing so is unnecessary and will drain your battery and processor.
Moreover, you should avoid touch screens because they get extremely dirty rapidly and make it very difficult to use your laptop outside of campus because it becomes impossible to see the screen.
Battery Life
Never overlook the battery life of the laptop you’re considering buying because many of the programs you’ll be using require a lot of battery life.
You won’t always have access to a power outlet while working on your way out or on campus, plus there’s a chance you’ll have forgotten your charger at home or where you’re staying.
So, you must get a laptop with a lengthy battery life.
Operating System
Students should unquestionably get a Windows computer rather than a Mac because the majority of the products they will need to install, such as CAD and simulation software, are only accessible for Windows.
Storage
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, your laptop has to have at least 500 GB of storage because the programs you’ll download into it will be quite large.
Consider purchasing an SSD for your laptop if these large programs and files cause it to operate slowly. This will provide you more room and speed up your laptop.
Also, as a mechanical engineering student, you’ll be multitasking on your laptop, which means you’ll be conducting a ton of internet searches while also working on various excel sheets, large PDF files, maybe MATLAB, and a variety of other files.
Hence, in order to complete everything while keeping your laptop from crashing, you would need at least 8 and at most 16 GB of Memory.
CPU
You can choose between purchasing an AMD or an Intel CPU. All are equally good, so you only have to make sure that it’s a current generation.
Nevertheless, a mechanical engineering student should at least choose an Intel i5 or a Ryzen 5, but not less than this.
However, if money is not an issue, you can choose an Intel i7 or Ryzen 7 processor and higher. In general, your laptop will run faster, the higher the generation and the higher the number.
GPU
Make sure there is a separate graphics card and not just the CPU’s integrated graphics. When it comes to designing, the graphics card is quite useful.
It shouldn’t be a gamer-level graphics card, but it should be a decent one.
Laptop Accessories
Get an external mouse for your laptop because it is far more beneficial than the one that comes with it for using several CAD programs, and it will also make your work easier.
Also, if you can, invest in a second monitor so that you can work from home, as it will make the task at hand much simpler and more fun.
Expected Price Range of Laptops for Engineering Students:
The price range of laptops which are best for mechanical engineering students starts from $900 which can go up to $1600 and so on.
Detailed Comaprison of Laptops for Engineering Students
- Acer Predator Helios 300
Due to its superior characteristics, mechanical engineering students can also use the high-performance gaming laptop known as the Acer Predator Helios 300.
After its first release in 2017, it has undergone a number of revisions to stay current with technology.
The laptop’s specialized NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card and Intel Core i7 processor enable it to handle even the most demanding apps and programs, such as CAD software and GINT, which is often used by mechanical engineering students.
Users will enjoy the laptop’s 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display’s bright and fluid images thanks to its 144Hz refresh rate.
Moreover, it has a backlit keyboard with RGB illumination that can be adjusted, enabling users to customize their setup to their tastes.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 has a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD for storage, which provides quick access to files and programs and quick boot-up times.
Also, it includes 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which offers sufficient memory for multitasking and running numerous applications at once. The laptop has a number of connectivity features, including HDMI, Ethernet, USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2 ports, Wi-Fi 6 capability, and Bluetooth 5.0 compatibility.
Therefore, for mechanical engineering students searching for a strong, dependable, and aesthetically pleasing laptop, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is a good option.
Specifications
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
Battery: 5 hours
PROS
– Very good speakers and can easily push more volume than you will need
– Useful built in applications
– Great performance
– Light up Logo on the back
– Trackpad feels amazing
CONS
– It heat ups really quickly which makes the keyboard impossible to use
– No SD card slot
- GIGABYTE G5 GD
A laptop with great performance, the GIGABYTE G5 GD. Choosing this laptop will also be a wise decision. It is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card and an Intel Core i7 processor.
The laptop’s 15.6-inch FHD IPS display offers sharp and vibrant pictures. With a refresh rate of 144Hz, it can keep up with designing work.
Also, the laptop has a backlit keyboard that makes it simple to use in dimly lit areas when you have to work in low lighting.
Moreover, because of its small and light design, the G5 GD is simple to transport around campus and on trains or buses. Its sturdy aluminum chassis makes sure it can withstand the strains of regular use.
The laptop also has a strong cooling mechanism that keeps it from overheating while you use demanding CAD or MATLAB programs.
A 512GB NVMe SSD and 16GB DDR4 RAM are included with the laptop, ensuring quick access to data and programs. You can connect to various devices at once thanks to its numerous connections, which include HDMI, USB Type-C, and USB 3.0.
As you frequently need to connect your computer to the projector for presentations, this is really convenient.
In conclusion, the GIGABYTE G5 GD is a great laptop that offers exceptional performance, a stylish design, and robust features at a reasonable price.
It is a fantastic option for mechanical engineering students who wish to run their applications and programs with excellent graphics and speed even when they require high requirements.
Specifications
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
CPU: Intel Core i5-11400H
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
Battery: 5 hours
PROS
-It’s very smooth
– The laptop remains cool even while running heavy softwares
-The design is very beautiful
– The screen resolution is very good
CONS
-Very low battery life
– The fans can be noisy sometimes
- Dell G5 15
The Dell G5 15 is a potent gaming laptop made for performance aficionados who expect the best hardware and features and can run demanding apps much like mechanical engineers need their laptops to.
The laptop has a 15.6-inch Full HD display, an Intel Core i7 processor, and an integrated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card for immersive and fluid performance of programs.
The G5 15 has up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM for seamless multitasking, a solid-state drive for quicker boot and load times, and a backlit keyboard with changeable colors to help gamers focus.
For convenient connecting to peripherals and accessories, the G5 15 has a number of ports, including USB Type-C, HDMI, Ethernet, and a headphone/microphone combo connector.
Wi-Fi 6 technology is also included in the laptop for quicker and more dependable wireless connectivity.
Overall, the Dell G5 15 is a formidable laptop that delivers strong performance and features at a fair price point, making it an appealing choice for mechanical engineering students and performance fanatics who want a premium working environment without spending a lot of money.
Specifications
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 256 GB
CPU: 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750h
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
Battery: 6 hours
PROS
-Pricy but worth the cost
– The laptop is sturdy and physically well made
– Great specs and performance
– Keyboard is really comfortable
– It has good screen resolution
CONS
– The keyboard is a bit loud
– Pretty noisy when it heats up and the fan turns on
– A bit heavy and difficult to travel with everyday
- Asus TUF A17
A capable laptop ideal for mechanical engineering students is the Asus TUF A17. This laptop can tackle difficult tasks like 3D modeling, simulations, and rendering.
Thanks to its AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti The 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display on the laptop has a refresh rate of 144Hz, which makes it perfect for seeing intricate patterns and images.
Students can operate in dimly lit areas thanks to the backlit keyboard. The laptop’s 1TB NVMe SSD offers plenty of room for storing massive files and programs.
Also, the laptop has 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which facilitates multitasking and running many apps at once. With a MIL-STD-810H military-grade build that can endure accidental drops, shocks, and severe temperatures, the laptop is strong and resilient.
The laptop also boasts a thorough cooling system with dual fans to keep it cool even during prolonged use.
The laptop also includes numerous connectivity choices, making it simple to connect to other devices and networks, including USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6.
Overall, the Asus TUF A17 is a fantastic laptop for mechanical engineering students because to its strong performance, ample storage, robust design, and wide range of networking options.
Specifications
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
CPU: Quad-core AMD Ryzen 7 4800H
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
Battery: 6 hours
PROS
– Sturdy built
– Great battery life
– It’s very fast, powerful
– Runs heavy programs smoothly
CONS
– Display is not good
- Acer Aspire 7
A high-performance laptop ideal for mechanical engineering students is the Acer Aspire 7. It has a potent 9th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, which can easily handle demanding applications like simulation software and CAD software.
A specialized NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card is also included with the laptop, which can handle even the most graphics-intensive workloads.
The 512GB solid-state drive (SSD) that the Acer Aspire 7 has for storage offers quick boot and load speeds.
Also, the laptop features 8GB of DDR4 RAM that can be expanded to 32GB if you require additional capacity.
The Acer Aspire 7’s 15.6-inch Full HD IPS panel display offers vivid and crisp graphics. Also, the laptop has Acer’s ComfyView technology, which lessens eye damage and radiation, making it simpler to work for extended periods of time.
With a variety of ports for connectivity, including USB Type-C, USB 3.0, HDMI, and Ethernet, the Acer Aspire 7 makes it simple to connect to external devices like monitors, printers, and external hard drives.
In conclusion, the Acer Aspire 7 is a fantastic option for mechanical engineering students who require a strong and dependable laptop for their schoolwork and projects.
It can easily handle even the most demanding applications due to its quick processor, specialized graphics card, and plenty of storage and memory.
Specifications
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
CPU: 9th-generation Intel Core i7
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
Battery: 12 hours
PROS
– Super light and easy to carry
– Runs multiple programs just fine
– Hinge slightly lifts the laptop to let air circulate beneath
CONS
– overheating
– Internet connecting issues
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much RAM do you need as a mechanical engineering student?
You are going to require at least 8 GB of Memory. To avoid any performance concerns while running multiple programs and Google searches simultaneously, 16 GB is strongly advised.
Q. Do I need a powerful laptop as a mechanical engineering student?
For their schoolwork and beyond, the majority of engineering students need a laptop with strong performance, fantastic battery life, and an integrated graphics card. The best laptops for engineers should feature a potent Intel core, sufficient memory to run demanding engineering applications, and ideally a powerful GPU.
Q. Is Intel Core i5 good for mechanical engineering students?
An Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor is recommended as a minimum. An i7 or Ryzen 7 processor is a better choice if you or your student intend to run CAD applications such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks.
FINAL VERDICT
Best for Performance?
If we solely consider performance, the Acer Aspire 7 is the best choice thanks to its AMD Ryzen 7 5800U processor with Zen 3 Core Architecture, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, and 16 GB RAM.
Furthermore, its battery life is 12 hours, which is more than enough and a dream battery life for any mechanical engineering student, making the Acer Aspire 7 the finest laptop to buy for a mechanical engineering student.
Most Affordable?
The most affordable laptop is the GIGABYTE G5 GD, which costs $999.00. This laptop will undoubtedly help you complete your work as a mechanical engineering student and is also reasonably priced.
Best Overall?
The Asus TUF A17 is the greatest laptop overall. This is due to the fact that this laptop combines the current generation Quad-core AMD Ryzen 7 4800H CPU with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB Graphics with ROG Boost and 16 GB RAM in a single package for a low price of $1,499.
This laptop is free of any software difficulties and overheating issues. In essence, this is the best laptop that has ever existed in this price range, and if a mechanical engineering student acquires this laptop, he will not have to worry about any technical troubles with the laptop.