Simplify your tech buying experience from the list below! Our team independently evaluated each item to formulate this review. Some may have been sent as samples for us to tinker with, but all the opinions expressed in this article are our own. By the way, Top Tech List may collect a commission if you purchase something from the links on this page (that’s how we pay the bills). Reviews have been edited for length and clarity. Simplify your tech buying experience!
You’re an engineering student, and you need a reliable laptop to carry around campus. Your budget is limited, and with so many options out there, how can you choose the right one? Check out the following list of the best mechanical engineering laptops for engineering students of 2022.
How We Pick the Best
Our team has read through thousands of users, editors, and our own staff reviews to come up with a list that will give you everything your wallet can handle when it comes to hardware. There are a variety of models available to suit all budgets and needs. Whether you’re a student looking for a laptop that has budget-friendly options with an affordable price tag, convertible laptop, or easy to take with you on the go, or all the way up to luxury options at higher price points – there’s something for each type of budget or level.
Why is it TopTech?
Engineer students will appreciate the specs of Dell’s XPS 15. Students who want a laptop with a dedicated graphics card, a super-light chassis, and a bright and vibrant display. Look no further. The keyboard is effortless to actuate, the speakers produce clear sound, and the trackpad is responsive and easy to move. The vaulted XPS 15 models, which cost more, aren’t cost-effective, but they are worth it.
Mechanical engineering students need power. This powerful laptop can handle any engineering application you throw at it. This also means that it would make a great gaming laptop (it’s like having another laptop). This is one of the best laptops for mechanical engineering students on the market, and it should meet all the requirements of engineering for students.
Why is it TopTech?
Apple’s M1 silicon chip brought a meaningful change in laptop computer technology, which is set to continue. Apple’s thinnest, lightest, and fanless notebook is equally powerful as ever, helping it earn a prominent appearance among many top lists as an excellent laptop for writers, and mechanical engineering students (2022) who need a reliable laptop. Students are often moving every few hours due to classes. This laptop also is perfect for students that write in 4-5 hour sessions due to the fanless design. This can be pushed out if you’re not doing a lot of multitasking.
This is a great on-the-go tool because of its impressive performance and long battery life. This laptop is one of the best on the market. This laptop is also perfect for engineering students, and we recommend this laptop because this portable laptop is ideal for engineering students in 2022 that need something light, fast, and thin. This is an excellent choice for mechanical students that are on the go, and this laptop is the perfect compromise between price, speed, size, and style. You can beat this option as one of the most portable laptops around.
Why is it TopTech?
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 has all of the features you need for your work commute in one lightweight, powerful package. The large screen offers plenty of visibility and makes it easy to see what’s happening on-screen whether reading email, creating presentations, engineering work, demanding engineering applications, and engineering coursework; while 13 hours of battery life means that if there are any unexpected networking delays during meetings won’t leave you waiting around anxiously! And with portability comes great flexibility – this laptop withstands bumps without breaking apart as most other models do.
Why is it TopTech?
This is among the best laptops available to engineering students, thanks to its 11th-generation processor. This laptop has an Intel Core i5 and Intel Iris Xe graphics. In addition, this laptop is equipped with a 2-in-1 design (great touchscreen laptop), and a gem-cut enclosure makes this Windows 10 laptop both functional and a well-built laptop. So, if you’re looking for a simple windows laptop that can handle everything, this may be what you’re looking for. Students should be able to run engineering projects, engineering studies to mechanical engineering software programs, the HP Spectre x360 is a great pick for students.
Why is it TopTech?
The Dell XPS 17 is a great choice for a 17-inch screen laptop. It’s a thin and light laptop, especially considering its powerful specs, students can use demanding programs like video encoding, cad, gaming, and 3D modeling (great for an engineering laptop). Plus, this laptop comes with impressive battery life, a beautiful design, and a range of Full HD+ and UHD+ display options.
FAQs
What’s the best laptop for a mechanical engineer?
“It really does depend on which school you attend and what kind of program you are in. If you are in a trade program or a program at a college that isn’t particularly technology focused you won’t find a laptop that important. If you are in a major that is heavily influenced by technology, like engineering or computer science, then having a laptop or a computer is a must. You will need something to take notes on and to help you do problem sets. That is where a laptop or computer comes in handy.”
How much RAM does a mechanical engineer need?
“It depends on the programs you are going to use. These days, most programs are not that RAM-hungry and do not need more than 8 GB of RAM. The more complex a program, the more it will consume RAM. For example, SolidWorks, a CAD program that is widely used in the mechanical engineering industry. This program alone consumes about 8GB of RAM. Now, that’s easy enough for most engineers.
However, if you are an architect, whose job involves other programs like AutoCAD and Revit, you will have to have a computer with at least 16 GB of RAM. The best way to figure out exactly how much RAM you need is to look at the RAM requirements of all your programs needed and then buy a laptop with the needed amount. If you are thinking of buying a Mac on which to run your engineering jobs, you will need to have at least 8 GB of RAM.”
Do I need a powerful laptop for engineering?
“You don’t need a powerful laptop for major engineering projects. But what you do need is a laptop that is compatible with your course’s software. A good example is software like AutoCAD, which only works on certain versions of Windows. You might also need a laptop that has a graphics card, as some programs will only work with that.
However, if your major is more focused on the hardware side, then yes you will need a laptop which is more capable of handling the various simulations and high-powered apps that your university may require you to use.”
What kind of laptop do engineers use?
“Engineers are computer professionals. They use computers to perform calculations and many other activities. Therefore, it depends on their job whether they prefer a laptop or a desktop. Researchers and developers use laptops more as it is portable in nature. Their profession includes many on-field works, which are better handled by laptops. They do not prefer to work on a desktop. Designers, on the other hand, prefer desktops because they require heavy software like AutoCAD, which is better handled by desktops. Hence, it depends on the choice of profession.”
How much RAM do engineers use?
“RAM is used by the operating system to accommodate and execute processes and applications. Every application that you run like your browser, MS office, photoshop, and other software will consume RAM. The amount of RAM used completely depends on the software you are using. For example, photoshop uses more RAM than email. It is also important to note that your RAM will not start to work until you run an application.”
Which processor is best for engineering students?
“Well, it depends. Since you are an engineering student, I recommend you check out some technical specifications of processors like number of cores, cache size, and threads. Knowing these specifications will give you an edge when choosing a processor.
For example, if you are using a processor for audio editing, you want to look for a processor that has a large amount of cache, a high core count, and a high clock speed. You don’t want a processor that is going to cause any buffer underruns or skips. I recommend a processor from Intel or AMD for most programs.”
Do engineers use Mac or Windows?
“Engineers use both. It all depends on personal preference. Mac offers a more stable platform and works faster, but Windows is more popular in the business world. In fact, most software engineers have to use Windows at work, but Mac at home. It is a good idea to have a Mac for your work, but an equally good idea to have a diverse set of tools for your work and leisure needs.”
Which laptop is best for engineering students Dell or HP?
“Every student is different, and different students need different laptops for different purposes. I wear a pair of boots, but my friend wears shoes. Why? My boots are fit to walk on snow; my friend’s shoes are fit to walk in the city. If you want to use a laptop for engineering subjects, then you should get a laptop with a high-end graphics card, a fast processor, and about 8GB of RAM. If you want to do something else rather than engineering, you should get a cheaper laptop. There is no best brand for a certain situation.”
Which laptop is suitable for AutoCAD?
“Many people have asked this question. The problem with this question is that there is no specific brand that is best for any program. As a matter of fact, there is no best laptop brand for any program.”
There you have it! We hope that this list of frequently asked questions has helped to answer any remaining queries.
