As an engineer or engineering student, it is often necessary to look for a powerful and flexible workstation endowed with a lot of computing power and capable of handling complex tasks and running demanding applications. While some will prefer the stationary workstation, others will prefer the portability and flexibility of a laptop.
However, finding the right laptop for our needs is not always easy.
best Laptops for engineering students as well as professionals need to be fast, efficient, and versatile.
Given the investment that this implies, it is important to have all the cards in hand to make the best possible choice.
How to choose a laptop suitable for engineering work? What are the important criteria to know? What are the best laptops for engineers right now?
These are the few questions you will find answers to in this guide.
How to choose a laptop suitable for engineers?
The processor is the main element of a computer. It is in a way the heart of the PC. The CPU is all the more essential when it comes to a laptop computer whose primary function is to run engineering software.
Whether it is essential software such as Autocad, Matlab, Solidworks, STAAD Pro, or Primavera, the speed of your processor will have a heavy impact on their performance when performing the tasks you entrust to them.
To be sure that you are not limited by the capabilities of your laptop, opt for a core i5 but if your budget allows it, a Core i7 is still the best choice.
In the case of a tight budget, you can fall back on a core i3. Forget about dual cores.
When choosing, pay attention to the names of the different processors. Processors whose names end in “HQ” perform better, while those ending in “U” perform less well but are more battery efficient.
So it’s up to you to decide what matters for you between performance and autonomy.
Hard Disk Size
CAD software like AutoCAD, Catia, ANSYS, Solidworks along with the files they generate consumes space, so you need storage for all of that.
500 GB is a reasonable amount, but if you are also going to use your computer as a multimedia device, 1 Terabyte is the minimum.
Fortunately, most laptops today come with a high capacity hard drive.
Having an SSD can also be interesting for a laptop computer intended for engineers because of the massive gain in speed it offers. It’s more a choice of comfort than anything else, but personally, since I discovered the SSD, I can’t do without it.
The amount of RAM memory
How Much RAM is Required for an Engineers Laptop?
In engineering, we often have to use a multitude of programs, each of which performs specific tasks, sometimes at the same time.
This is where RAM memory shows its importance. Each program launched on a computer consumes RAM memory, the more it is limited the fewer margins there are for multitasking.
Your laptop should therefore have the correct amount of memory. The recommended capacity is 8 GB, although 12 GB and 16 GB are also good.
It is possible to work with 4 GB but at the cost of multiple concessions. The RAM memory is expandable, nothing prevents you from opting for 4 GB and expanding it to 8 GB thereafter.
However, in some cases, it is better to have a good graphics card rather than a huge amount of RAM.
Screen size
Screen size isn’t really a major parameter when it comes to dedicated engineering laptops. The choice of one size or another will depend mainly on your affinities and the comfort you are looking for.
In general, a 14 or 15-inch laptop is fine. For work-related to technical drawings, a 17-inch laptop is a must.
Also, it is important to keep your portability needs in mind. A 17.3-inch screen won’t be as portable as a 15 inch or 14-inch screen.