10 Best Laptops For Engineering (For 2025 Tools & Updates )

When engineering students start their electrical, mechanical, computer, civil, software, chemical, aeronautical, or aerospace engineering programs, their first assumption is often:

“I’m going to need a very powerful laptop with the latest processor and graphics.”

That’s not true.

Most engineering students only need a laptop with a decent CPU and 8GB of RAM.

Now…

I know what you’re thinking: “Wait, what about 3D modeling, CAD software, or other demanding programs?”

Listen…

As long as you buy ANY laptop with ANY dedicated graphics card, you’ll be able to handle ANY 3D CAD project you encounter in engineering school. In fact, you might not even need dedicated graphics cards!

Here’s the breakdown:

In this post…

I will PROVE everything I just said with benchmarks (footage) and by going through the typical engineering curriculum.

In engineering school, there will only be a few occasions when you’ll need to run CAD software (for which you can always use the computer lab). Most of the time, you’ll be using other software, like:

Electrical & Computer Engineers: programming languages like C++ and circuit simulators like SPICE.

 

Mechanical & Civil Engineers: Lots of programming too.

Best Hardware for Engineering Students & Engineers

Since the CAD software you’ll use will be during your 3rd or 4th year and be limited to a few classes/projects. My advice is to not to focus on power but rather PORTABILITY. 

Q: OK, good point, Any portable laptop will be fine? 

Of course not. You don’t want to grab a cheap $200 laptop from Walmart. You’ll want to avoid lag, especially when you’ve got a dozen programs running alongside 20 Chrome tabs.

Basically, make sure to pick a laptop with the recommended hardware outlined in the infographic. It’ll save you a ton of headaches!

Before diving into the best laptops for engineering in 2025 (I’ll include options with both ‘recommended’ and ‘best’ hardware in the table), let me elaborate a bit more on the hardware for those who are a little more tech-savvy. If you’re not interested in the nitty-gritty, feel free to skip ahead to the best laptops section!

GPU (Graphics Card)

2D engineer: No need for dedicated graphics. Integrated graphics (which come ‘integrated to the CPU’ so to speak) is good enough even for 3D work. 

3D engineer:  You either go for the latest ‘integrated graphics’ which should work (though with some lag) with SMALL 3D projects in AutoCAD, SolidWorks and ANSYS*.

 

Or choose a laptop with ‘dedicated’ graphics to get smooth performance (if you refuse to use computer labs or another computer besides your laptop):

For smooth performance with 3D work you only need a 2-4GB vRAM  such as the following:

Those in red have the same performance as the latest integrated graphics. Green ones are IDEAL and the blue is overkill but may become useful after you graduate.

What about ‘workstation’ GPUs? Like Quadro? FirePro?

They’re useful for actual working engineers. Even so there’s only a small chance an actual engineer will find it useful unless he/she works in the 3D modeling department. If so check out my 3D modeling posts on AutoCAD & Solidworks.

CPU (Processor)

2D engineer: Any recent CPU released within the past 5 years. Feel free to go higher if you can afford (without compromising portability & weight)

3D engineer: At least a Core i5 or Ryzen 5 CPU released within the past 3 years.

　

The more recent the CPU, the better. Why? Because newer CPUs come with higher clock speeds and significantly improved integrated graphics (iGPUs), which can compensate for the lack of a dedicated GPU if you go for a laptop without one.

That said, not all CPUs with integrated graphics are equal. Some of the older CPUs, particularly 6th and 7th gen Ryzen 3 & Ryzen 5 CPUs, are worth avoiding because their integrated graphics (e.g., Radeon 610M) are too weak for anything beyond basic tasks.

More information on which integrated GPUs are found on these CPUs and their performance is shown in this link.

 

RAM & Storage

8GB: If you follow my advice on CPU & GPU, you’ll automatically get 8GB or 16GB. Either is plenty to multitask with 3D modes, IDE for programming, Office,  and all the internet tabs you’ll need.

256GB: Bare bone minimum and found on most laptops. If you’re specializing in 3D modeling & Cad design, you may want to do the upgrade to 512GB.

The SSD generation (PCIe 5.0 vs PCIe 4.0) doesn’t matter much for most users. The speed difference is only noticeable when transferring large files in bulk, like photos or videos. For engineering work or general use, PCIe 4.0 SSDs are already more than fast enough.

Top 10 Best Laptops For Engineering Students & Engineers

I KNOW this is a long list but I tried to cover all types of laptops for engineering.

I recommend you read at LEAST the first 3 reviews. Those are the THREE most important laptops of the list.

Also  keep in mind the following icons before reading a review:

  Ideal.

   Overkill but useful.

  MAY lack power for large 3D CAD projects. Read description for more details.

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1. MSI GF63 THIN 12UCX-898US

Cheap Laptop For  Engineering Students

  Intel Core i5 12450H

  16GB RAM DDR4

   2050RTX 4GB vRAM 30W

  1TB PCIe NVMe SSD

  15” 1080p IPS 144Hz

  4.1 lbs

  3 hours

  Electrical , Computer , Chemical , Software
  Civil, Mechanical , Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineers

This laptop is an absolute tank for pretty much any engineering student and any project you’ll run into during school. It’s packing a recent CPU and a 4GB vRAM dedicated GPU, which means it can handle both 2D and 3D work with ease.

If you’re an EE student or working mostly in 2D, this thing is overkill. You’re paying extra for GPU power you probably won’t even use—unless you’re into gaming (which, let’s be real, you probably should cut back on during those brutal first three years).

Now… 3D Engineers, Listen Up 👀

You don’t have to buy this exact laptop, but it’s one of the cheapest lightweight options with a dedicated GPU. If you can snag something like a 1650GTX or 3050RTX for less, go for it.

For actual engineers working on massive 3D CAD projects (think designing cars or machinery in SolidWorks), this laptop can get you started, but don’t expect it to crush huge assemblies (500+ parts). For that, you’ll want a 6GB vRAM GPU or higher.

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 Performance: 3050Ti 4GB vRAM + Ryzen 5 5600H

Here’s what you can expect:

• AutoCAD: Smooth as butter, even for 3D models.
• ANSYS & SolidWorks: Works great for assemblies under 500 parts. Viewports stay smooth, and rendering is fast thanks to the GPU’s CUDA cores and the CPU’s beefy multicore setup.

If you’re looking to specialize in 3D CAD design, though, consider leveling up to something with 6GB vRAM. You’ll thank yourself later.

What about cheaper laptops with dedicated GPUs ?

Can’t drop ~$600 on this laptop? No worries. You can still grab something with a weaker GPU that’s good enough for school-level 3D work. Here’s a quick rundown:

GPUs in red (like MX150 or MX250). Sure, they’re “dedicated,” but the performance is pretty much the same as modern integrated graphics (like Intel Xe or RX Vega). If you’re going this route, just save the cash and grab a laptop with solid integrated graphics.

How Do These GPUs Handle 3D CAD?

Most of the GPUs I listed (except the red ones) can handle assemblies up to 200 parts in software like ANSYS or SolidWorks without breaking a sweat. For engineering school projects—which rarely go over 100 parts—that’s more than enough.

Thinking About a Career in 3D Modeling? 🛠️

If you’re planning to specialize in 3D modeling (e.g., designing cars, tools, or complex machinery), try to get at least a 4GB vRAM GPU. For 500-1000 parts assemblies, you’ll need something beefier with 6GB vRAM or more. But honestly, you probably won’t run into projects like that in school unless you take an elective or decide to go all out on your senior project.

TL;DR: This laptop is a beast, but there are cheaper options that’ll get the job done if you’re just starting out.

MSI 15 Thin
PROS	CONS
Handles all software including CAD software Handles large 3D CAD models 12th gen Core i5 Relatively thin & lightweight High Storage  Cheap laptop with 4GB vRAM GPU	Too much power for 2D engineering Low battery only FHD

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2. Surface Laptop Studio 2

Best 2 in 1 Laptop For Engineering

  Intel® Core™ i7 13th gen

  16GB LPDRR5 RAM

  NVIDIA RTX 4050

  512 GB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD

  14.4”  2400 x 1600 2 in 1 Tablet-Laptop w/ Stylus

  4.37lbs

  5 hours

  Electrical , Computer , Chemical , Software
  Civil, Mechanical , Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineers

The MSI GF63 Laptop

This is a basic laptop with dedicated graphics but not much focus on portability. Now let’s move on to portable yet powerful laptops for all types of engineering. We’ll start with the most powerful option with dedicated graphics.

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Surface Series:

If you’ve been browsing around, you’ve probably seen the Surface lineup: Surface Pro, Surface Book, and Surface Laptop Studio. These devices can also convert into a tablet, which is a game-changer for engineering students.

Surprised they’re so popular? You shouldn’t be.

• Super portable
• Amazing displays
• Long battery life (except for the Surface Laptop Studio—more on that later)
• And most importantly, they let you write equations, take notes, and even do your physics homework right on the screen.

The best part? There are many configurations for Surface devices. That means you can choose hardware tailored to your field:

• 3D engineers can go for models with higher GPU and CPU power.
• 2D engineers can stick to cheaper configurations since they don’t need much GPU power.

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  Surface Laptop Studio 2: Performance

The Surface Laptop Studio 2 is the most powerful Surface device.
If you’re a 2D engineer, skip this one and check out the next laptop: Surface Pro 9.

3D engineers, here’s the breakdown:
You’ve got three GPU options:

1. 4050RTX
2. 4060RTX
3. RTX 2000 Ada

Which one should you choose?

• If this is for school projects, the 4050RTX is overkill. It’s got 6GB of vRAM, way more than you’ll need for typical engineering assignments.
• Even a 3050RTX with 4GB vRAM will handle all your school 3D work smoothly (except maybe for an extremely complex senior project).

So, if you can’t afford the latest Surface Laptop Studio 2, grab the previous version or a Surface Book. They’re cheaper and still have solid GPUs for engineering work.

But…
If you’re a working engineer or specializing in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks or ANSYS), you’ll want either:

• 4060RTX
• RTX 2000 Ada (this is a workstation GPU, theoretically more stable for software like SolidWorks/ANSYS).

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  Display & Design

The Surface Laptop Studio 2 is one of the heaviest Surface devices (along with the Surface Book) due to its nearly 15” display. But that larger screen is worth it.

One of the standout features of Surface devices is the high-resolution display. Most Surface models offer QHD-like resolution, which is a game-changer for productivity. Why?

• More screen space means less scrolling and more windows side by side.
• Perfect for multitasking: Imagine having a tutorial open in one window while taking notes in another, or a website’s data alongside an Excel sheet.

Whether it’s the Surface Laptop Studio 2 or another Surface device, the high-res display will definitely boost your workflow.

Surface Laptop Studio 2
PROS	CONS
Runs all engineering software Can be used for working engineers Has the latest Core i7 GPU is configurable (three choices) Older versions are just as fast Can draw and sketch with touchPen	Cannot be RAM or Storage Upgraded after purchase Flimsy keyboard on non-hard surfaces Overkill for 2D engineers Battery is average

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3. Lenovo Ideapad 5i

 Budget  Laptop For Engineering

  Intel Core i5-11300H

  8GB DDR4

   GeForce MX 450 2GB vRAM

  512GB PCIe 4.0  SSD

  16″ QHD 2.5K

  4.2 lbs

  4  hours

  Electrical , Computer , Chemical , Software

  Civil, Mechanical , Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineers

This is one of my top favorite budget laptops for two reasons:

1. The power is just right: This laptop features a 2GB vRAM dedicated GPU, which is the bare minimum needed to run CAD and 3D models with SolidWorks/ANSYS in engineering school.
   • For 2D engineers, this is overkill since you won’t need a GPU. I’d recommend avoiding this laptop because it’s a bit heavy.
2. The display is fantastic!

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  Performance: Core i5-11300H + MX450

As I’ve mentioned several times, most engineers will primarily deal with coding assignments and circuit design. It’s only the 3D engineers who’ll need to run 3D CAD models, which might require a dedicated GPU.

With its 2GB vRAM GPU, this laptop can handle SolidWorks projects with up to 200 parts before experiencing any lag. However, to get this level of performance, it’s crucial to buy a recent 2GB vRAM GPU, like the MX450 featured here.

Be cautious of older GPUs like the 940MX or MX250 you might find in refurbished laptops at a cheaper price. While these can also run 3D models in the same part range, they’ll start to struggle much sooner when you push the project complexity higher.

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  Display

The main reason I’m recommending this laptop is the display resolution and size. It has a 16” QHD display, offering the largest screen space among budget options.

This extra screen space is a game-changer for multitasking, allowing you to comfortably work with multiple windows side by side:

• A tutorial + your IDE (programming software)
• A YouTube video + Office (for note-taking)

Even more importantly, the larger screen size and QHD resolution make viewing code or scripts much easier. When working on long scripts for assignments or projects, having a full view of the structure helps identify and fix bugs/errors more efficiently.

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For 2D engineers: If you don’t need the dedicated graphics, there are versions of this laptop without a GPU. Look for models made by HP or Lenovo with the same great display!

Lenovo Idea Pro 5i
PROS	CONS
Perfect for 2D & 3D engineers Runs all CAD software High resolution display Decent battery life	CPU & GPU is slightly old Relatively expensive Cannot upgrade RAM Not useful for 3D working engineers

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4. Surface Pro 10

Best Portable Laptop for Engineering

  Intel® Core Ultra 5 or Core Ultra 7 (13th Gen)

  8GB-16GB RAM DDR5

  Intel Iris Xe Graphics

  128GB-1TB PCIe NVMe SSD

  13” IPS ‎2880 x 1920 (PixelSense Display)

  1.96lbs

  Up to 15 hours battery life

 Electrical , Computer , Chemical , Software
  Civil, Mechanical , Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineers*

*ANSYS/SolidWorks/Civil 3D/Revit projects and assignments can run on the Surface Pro provided that they’re undergraduate level .
*CREO, CATIA projects will need the SurfaceBook 3 though these two is rarely used in engineering 

 

This is, in my opinion, an even better choice than the Surface Laptop Studio if you’re looking for a 2-in-1 tablet, despite the lack of GPU power. That doesn’t mean it’s useless for software that requires decent performance.

In fact, the Surface Pro is even more popular than the Surface Laptop Studio or the Surface Book, which do have dedicated graphics. The reasons are pretty simple:

• Much lighter
• Same 2-in-1/Touchscreen design for note-taking, equation-writing, etc.
• Longer battery life (due to the lack of a power-hungry GPU)
• Cheaper

It gets insanely cheaper if you go for older models, which still have the CPU and RAM specifications we discussed in the recommended specs section.

Now the main question is: What kind of performance can you expect with the Surface Pro, which doesn’t have a dedicated graphics card?

  Performance

None of the Surface Pro models, including the Surface Pro 10, have a dedicated GPU (no 4GB or 2GB vRAM). However…

They always come with the latest CPU available at the time of their release. For instance, the Surface Pro 10 is powered by Intel’s 13th-generation CPUs, and as we discussed earlier, this also means more powerful integrated graphics.

The integrated graphics in the Surface Pro 10 (Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon 780M, depending on configuration) can handle small 3D CAD projects like SolidWorks models under 100 parts.

• You may encounter some lag, especially with viewport rendering, but it won’t be so severe that it becomes unusable.
• For engineering school, where you’ll only deal with 3D CAD design projects a few times, this trade-off is worth it considering the other insane benefits of the Surface Pro series.

If you’re okay with occasionally using a computer lab or another computer for very complex 3D projects, the Surface Pro is still a fantastic choice for all the other tasks.

RAM: 8GB vs. 16GB

It’s critical to ensure your Surface Pro has at least 8GB of RAM, especially for running CAD software.

• Most recent models, like the Surface Pro 10, come with 8GB as the baseline, so this isn’t usually an issue.
• However, older models (like the Surface Pro 4 or earlier) may only come with 4GB of RAM, which is insufficient for modern engineering software.

If you can stretch your budget, 16GB of RAM is a great upgrade for 3D engineers.

• Why? More RAM means your integrated graphics will have more memory to work with, making performance much closer to what you’d get with a dedicated GPU.
• This massively improves viewport performance in SolidWorks or other 3D modeling software.

  Display & Design

The Surface Pro 10 has the same PixelSense display found in previous models but with some enhancements.

• Resolution: 2880 x 1920 (higher than standard QHD, which is 2560 x 1440).
• Size: 13-inch display, slightly larger than older models (12 inches).

This high resolution compensates for the smaller display size, giving you plenty of screen real estate for multitasking.

• You’ll have no problem keeping multiple windows open side by side, whether it’s a tutorial and your IDE, or a browser tab and your notes.
• For programming, the high resolution helps immensely by allowing you to view more code at once, reducing the need to scroll.

Portability:

• The Surface Pro 10 is incredibly thin at 0.33 inches, making it far more portable than the Surface Laptop Studio 2 (0.86 inches).
• It weighs less than 2 pounds, which makes it an excellent option for slipping into your backpack alongside textbooks.

2-in-1 Note-Taking Features:
Like all Surface Pro models, the Surface Pro 10 is also a tablet with highly accurate note-taking capabilities. This makes it a fantastic replacement for notebooks and textbooks.

• While engineers may still need a physical notebook for working through equations and practicing physics problems, the Surface Pro is perfect for lectures, note-taking, and even sketching out ideas.

Older Models: Worth It?

Older Surface Pro models are still a great option if you’re on a budget.

• Surface Pro 7 and 8: These have slightly weaker CPUs but still offer excellent performance for engineering tasks and include similar high-resolution displays.
• Surface Pro 4 or earlier: Not recommended unless you only plan to do light tasks or 2D engineering. They may lack performance and have lower RAM (4GB), which can be limiting.

Surface Pro 10
PROS	CONS
Perfect for all engineering students Can run small 3D models in CAD software too Very Long battery life Hardware is Customizable (to your budget) Stylus extremely accurate for note-taking Very lightweight High resolution display	Cannot be RAM or Storage Upgraded Flimsy keyboard  Latest models can be expensive Small display Not useful for 3D CAD working engineers Lacks dedicated graphics

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5. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 

Best Lenovo Laptop For Engineering

  Intel Core i7 13th gen or Core i9

 16GB-64GB DDR4 RAM 

   AMD Radeon Vega 7

  512-2TB PCIe NVMe SSD

  14-16” QHD or UHD resolution

  2.24-4.14lbs

  10+ hours

 Electrical & Chemical & Software and Computer Engineers
  Mechanical, Civil, AeroSpace, Aeronautical

Lenovo ThinkPads are the most popular “TRADITIONAL LAPTOP” among engineers. ThinkPads are ALWAYS the first choice for engineering work.

They’ll remain useful even AFTER engineering school (let’s hope you graduate!) due to the following reasons:

• Myriad of extra ports: The ThinkPads (T & X1 Carbon Series) regardless of release date always come with LOTS of ports. This cannot be said for modern ultrabooks, which prioritize portability by reducing the number of ports with each new version.
• Rock-solid design: ThinkPads are built like tanks. They can withstand serious working conditions and the everyday stresses of commuting and traveling. They’re durable enough to survive a few drops since they’re built with aluminum instead of plastic. On average, they can last about 8 years if you avoid serious accidents.
• Top-of-the-line keyboard: This is probably the number one reason why they’re so popular. While the previous laptops mentioned might not be ideal for those who program and type reports all day, ThinkPads are the BEST for that. The keyboard is EXTREMELY well-designed with long travel distance (how far keys press down) and high responsiveness. They feel like a typewriter that doesn’t require much force to register keystrokes—perfect for heavy typists.
• TrackPoint and Trackpad: The iconic red TrackPoint (the small red dot) acts like a ball mouse, and the spacious trackpad includes three clickable buttons. It’s super useful when working on the move or in cramped spaces.
• Linux compatibility: Not a huge deal for most engineers unless you specialize in data science or fields that require frequent use of programming packages. ThinkPads are highly compatible with Linux Distros, which means every piece of hardware works natively. Other laptops often have one or two features disabled due to a lack of Linux drivers.

  Performance

Of course, this recommendation applies mainly to engineers (whether 3D or 2D) who don’t specialize in large-scale 3D CAD modeling. These are typically 2D engineers—like electrical, computer, chemical, etc.—who spend their time programming, designing 2D/small 3D models, and testing devices via computer.

Unfortunately, Lenovo ThinkPads don’t typically come with dedicated graphics cards. So they aren’t ideal for professional 3D CAD engineers working on large-scale models. However, if you’re a 3D engineering student and want to use a ThinkPad during school, it’s still a great choice!

Pro tip: Make sure you pick a model with a recent CPU. This will allow you to run the smaller 3D CAD models you’ll encounter in engineering school. Also, don’t forget to get one with 16GB of RAM or upgrade it if you’re a 3D engineering student.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1
PROS	CONS
HIgh quality track & keyboard High compatibility with Linux Distros Hardware is very configurable Long battery life Lots of resolution choices for display Lots of ports Very high quality & sturdy built Perfect for all engineering students	Very expensive Does not have dedicated graphics Can be used for working engineers

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6. Acer Aspire 5

Cheap Laptop For Engineering

  Core i5-1335U

  8GB LPDDR5

  Intel Xe Graphics

  512GB SSD NVMe PCIe 4.0

  15.6” FHD 

  3.7 lbs

  8 hours

 Electrical & Chemical & Software and Computer Engineers
  Mechanical, Civil, AeroSpace, Aeronautical

  Performance: Core i5 13th gen (or older generations)

Core i3/Ryzen 3:
If you’re shopping for very cheap laptops because you’re on a tight budget (and plan to leave the 3D projects to the lab computers), you don’t have to buy this model. You can go for slower but much cheaper laptops with a Core i3 or Ryzen 3.

Now, when I say they’re slower, that’s relative. Those laptops, as long as they have recent CPUs (5th or 7th gen Ryzen 3 or 10th–13th gen Core i3), are still multicore and have decent clock speeds to make multitasking a BREEZE. They’re a fantastic choice for 2D engineers since there’s no need for powerful integrated graphics (they have weaker graphics). Another perk is their longer battery life and lighter weight.

Core i5/Ryzen 5:
I chose this model as the cheapest laptop for engineering on the list because the Core i5/Ryzen 5 ensures it’s useful for all types of engineering and projects during engineering school. That’s right, even 3D engineers can use this laptop to run 3D models in SolidWorks, CATIA, and ANSYS. As long as the number of parts and complexity of the projects remain small (as expected in introductory 3D modeling courses), this laptop should handle them with only minor lag in the viewport.

8GB vs. 16GB RAM:
Remember, for the integrated graphics to work best, you need extra RAM. These budget laptops typically come with 8GB RAM (and sometimes even just 4GB!). You should upgrade to at least 8GB for programming and non-3D CAD design, and ideally to 16GB for 3D CAD modeling in ANSYS, CATIA, and SolidWorks.

Upgrading the RAM is straightforward. The only hassle is dealing with the MANY screws on a laptop. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, take it to your school’s IT department—they’ll likely do it in 10 minutes (assuming they’re not too hesitant to help).

Acer Aspire 5
PROS	CONS
Cheap Runs all engineering software Supports small 3d CAD models Long battery life Relatively lightweight	Not ideal for 3D CAD engineering Just FHD resolution Lacks dedicated graphics

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7. MacBook M4 Pro Chip

Best MacBook For Medical School

  M4 12 Core CPU

  24 GB Unified Memory

  16‑core GPU

  512GB-2TB SSD

  14.2-16 inch Liquid Retina XDR display  3024-by-1964

  4.7lb

  13 hours

 Electrical & Chemical & Software and Computer Engineers
  Mechanical, Civil, AeroSpace, Aeronautical

You’re probably thinking I’m crazy to even suggest a MacBook, but you’d be surprised to see how many students, including engineering students, use MacBooks. So are they a NO-NO or a YES-YES?

It depends.

They’re a YES-YES if you are willing to compromise a few things. It’s a NO-NO for any engineering (student or pro) focusing solely on 3D CAD work.

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What’s the Catch?

The main problem with MacBooks is the operating system. While MATLAB, AutoCAD, and LabVIEW can all run on a Mac—as well as pretty much ANY software for coding/programming (MacBooks are a top choice for non-engineering programmers)—they cannot run many of the most popular 3D CAD design software like SolidWorks, CATIA, or ANSYS.

Ports? That’s not an issue because MacBooks do have ports. Yes, they don’t have USB or RJ-45/Ethernet ports, but they have Thunderbolt ports, which can easily be used with adapters.

The real issue lies with DAQ boards and circuit design software, which typically only have Windows versions. This makes it very difficult to work with circuit design tasks on a MacBook, as most of the software for these tasks is written for Windows (see the featured image of this post). Sure, you might find a couple of options compatible with macOS, but there’s no guarantee your class or department will use them.

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Hold Up, There’s a Solution!

You can install Windows on a MacBook too! Here are two ways to do it:

1. Install Parallels: Parallels is software that lets you run Windows on top of macOS. You can use it whenever you need to run Windows-only software.
2. Buy a pre-2020 MacBook: MacBooks made before 2020 have Intel chips and BootCamp, which lets you install Windows natively. You can switch between macOS and Windows with a simple restart.

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Why Go Through All This for a MacBook?

While some engineering students buy MacBooks to look cool, there are actually good reasons to consider one:

• Extremely portable and thin
• Longest battery life on any laptop
• The best keyboards ever designed (super useful for programming)
• Large and responsive trackpads (you may not even need a mouse)
• Superb high-resolution displays (see more content at once)
• Extremely solid build quality
• No need to pay for antivirus or worry about viruses

And most importantly:

They’re built for coding and programming, making them the top choice for computer engineering students!

They’re also great for all engineers since most software used in engineering programs involves programming and light 2D/3D modeling, where MacBooks excel.

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How Are MacBooks Built for Programming?

The Terminal is one of the most widely used programming tools after IDEs. Most programming languages and packages are natively available on macOS and easily accessible through the Terminal. This significantly improves workflow efficiency compared to Windows, whose terminal feature is still catching up.

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  Performance

What about performance for engineering software like AutoCAD?

3D Engineers: As long as you buy a MacBook Pro model released within the past eight years (with at least 8GB RAM), you’ll be able to run AutoCAD, MATLAB, and IDEs with no lag whatsoever.

Some MacBook Pro models come with Radeon GPUs (dedicated graphics). While they’re AMD-branded, they work well with 3D modeling software (compatible with macOS) because they have vRAM. The newer M-series chips (M1, M2, M3, and M4) also perform well with 3D modeling software, provided projects remain at school-level complexity.

2D Engineers: If you’re a 2D engineer, you don’t need to limit yourself to MacBook Pros. Even the MacBook Air (new or old) will be sufficient.

 Performance

Now what about performance for engineering software like AutoCAD?

3D Engineer: As long as you buy a “MacBook Pro” model released within the 8 years or so (withi 8GB RAM), you should be able to run AutoCAD, MatLab, IDEs with no lag whatsoever.

There are a few MacBook Pro models that have dedicated graphics usually Radeon GPUs. Now..even though they are from a different brand (AMD) they still work well with 3D modeling software (compatible with OSX) because they hav vRAM. As for th newer M chip models (M1, M2 & M3 M4) they also work well with 3D modeling software (as long as projects remian school level).

2D engineer: Now if you are a 2D engineer,  you don’t have to limit yourself to MacBook Pros. You can even buy the MacBook Air (whether or old or new). 

SoC	CPU Cores	GPU Cores	RAM
M1	4 Effiency cores & 4 Performance Cores	7	16-32GB
M2	4 Effiency cores & 4 Performance Cores	10	16-32GB
M1 Pro	2 Efficiency cores & 6 Performance cores	14	16-32 GB
M1 Pro	2 Efficiency cores & 8 Performance cores	14	16-32 GB
M1 Pro	2 Efficiency cores & 8 Performance cores	16	16-32 GB
M1 Max	2 Efficiency cores & 8 Performance cores	24	32-64 GB
M1 Max	2 Efficiency cores & 8 Performance cores	32	32-64 GB
M2 Pro	2 Efficiency cores & 8 Performance cores	19	16-32GB
M2 Max	2 Efficiency cores & 10 Performance cores	38	32-96GB
M3	4 Efficiency cores & 4 Performance cores	10	6-16GB
M3 Max	4 Efficiency cores & 12 Performance Cores	40	48-128GB

OSX: Unix System – Computer & Electrical Engineers!!!

I’ve mentioned that MacBooks are especially good for programmers in computer and electrical engineering, and that’s particularly true if you’re interested in machine learning, AI, or any data science-related topics. If you’ve never used a MacBook, the learning curve will be quick. However, mastering the terminal and relying on it for almost everything will take some time, but it’s one of the most valuable skills to have if you want to become a top programmer in the industry.

  Cost

Many people want a MacBook and are willing to compromise on software compatibility, but the price can be a significant issue because they are notoriously expensive.

But there’s a hack to get one cheaper: buying older models. Performance-wise, at least for engineering school, there should be no noticeable difference between newer and older MacBooks. Just keep the following in mind:

2D Engineer: You can grab ANY MODEL, literally ANY. Even the 4GB MacBook Air will be sufficient. However, it’s better to get MacBooks with USB ports (2015-2019 models), as they’ll make connecting peripherals much easier without needing adapters.

3D Engineer: You can also grab ANY MODEL, as long as you’re willing to use computer labs for 3D CAD work. If you’re opting for older models, I recommend choosing one with USB ports (again, 2015-2019 models) for easier connectivity.

MacBook Pro M4
PROS	CONS
Portable Runs 3D models with ease Best for programming Perfect for computer engineering High configurable hardware Very solid & sturdy design Extremely long battery	Lacks software compatibility Must run VM/Bootcamp for some software Very expensive

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8. ASUS ZenBook 14 14X

Best Windows UltraBook for Engineering Students

  Intel Core i5-13500H

  8GB RAM DDR5

  Intel Iris Xe Graphics

  512GB

  14.5” 2.8k resolution OLED 

  3.44lbs

  10 hours

  Electrical , Computer , Chemical , Software
  Civil, Mechanical , Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineers*

I keep posting about the ASUS ZenBook every year, and this year is no exception. They’re a great, great alternative to the MacBooks and much cheaper. You still get ALL the superb qualities:

• Super high-resolution display
• Super fast CPU
• Very good portability
• Super thin
• Long battery life

At a much cheaper price!

  Performance: 2D & 3D CAD engineering

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This is a laptop that’s ideal for 2D engineers. It has the right CPU and RAM with all the cool features mentioned above and doesn’t waste power on a dedicated graphics card (which would make the laptop as expensive as a MacBook).

---

However…

3D engineers will have to deal with some lag when using the viewport for those occasional 3D CAD design projects in SolidWorks, ANSYS, or Catia.

Nonetheless, if I were a 3D engineer, I wouldn’t think twice about it. If I know 3D CAD modeling isn’t going to be my primary focus (but rather research), OR if I plan to rely on AutoCAD (which isn’t as GPU-demanding) for my senior project, then I’d go for this laptop—or even a cheaper, portable laptop, even if it has less CPU power.

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Note: Unlike other budget portable machines, this laptop has a very, very long battery life and includes a numpad integrated into the trackpad. Since 13” or even 15” portable laptops usually don’t have space for a dedicated numpad, this is a very, very useful feature—especially for number crunching on reports, sheets, and tables. These can be read (e.g., by Python) to create graphs.

ASUS ZenBook 14 14X
PROS	CONS
High resolution (QHD) Beautiful OLED screen Latest Core i5 PU  Lightweight Portable laptop with numpad Perfect for all engineering students Ideal for programming	Cannot handle 3D CAD software with large models Somewhat expensive Lacks dedicated graphics

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Laptops for Working Engineers  9-10

The following laptops have too much power for engineering students. They are reserved for engineers who are either about to join a 3D CAD modeling department at a company or plan to do so very soon.

If you’re a student, you may find the following laptops useful, but under no circumstances should you consider laptop #10. Don’t even look at it—it’s far too powerful. It’s only listed here for the small group of 3D CAD engineers reading this, and even for them, it might be overkill.

You’re welcome to read about it for informational purposes, though.

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9. Acer Nitro 17

Best Laptop For 3D CAD engineering

  AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS

  16GB RAM DDR5

  NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU

  1TB GB PCIe NVMe SSD (Free Slot for upgrade)

  17.3″ QHD 165Hz IPS

  6.61 lbs

 2  hours

  Electrical , Computer , Chemical , Software
  Civil, Mechanical , Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineers

This is a powerful gaming laptop equipped with a very recent 8GB vRAM dedicated GPU. Of course, we’re not choosing this laptop because it can play all games at Epic settings with high frame rates, but because the vRAM and CUDA cores within the GPU are incredibly useful for GPU renderers and the viewport in 3D CAD modeling software.

  Performance: 4060RTX

Since GPU renderers are not commonly used, the most significant advantage of this laptop is its 8GB vRAM. Having 6–8GB of vRAM is an excellent starting point for achieving high performance in the viewport of very large models. Below is a list of 6GB vRAM GPUs released in the past five years or so:

Name	Cores	vRAM	Speed
1060	1280	6GB	1670
1660 Ti	1536	6GB	1590
2060	1,920	6GB	1680
3060	3584	6GB	1780
4050	2560	6GB	2370
4060	3072	8GB	2370

Now…

There are many more powerful GPUs, like the 4080 and 4090, with vRAMs of up to 16GB. While those are excellent options, it’s incredibly rare for someone in engineering to work with models that require that much vRAM. Even the 8GB vRAM of the 4060RTX might be more than most people need. However, since 4060RTX laptops are not significantly more expensive than those with 6GB vRAM GPUs like the 3060RTX or 4050RTX, it’s better to choose the 4060RTX to stay future-proof, so to speak.

  Design

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Why did I choose this laptop over other 4060RTX models, and why should you?

Primarily for the size and resolution. This laptop features a 17-inch display with QHD resolution. As we’ve discussed before, this provides an extremely large amount of screen space, allowing you to view more of your code or 3D model. It also makes it easier to fit more quick-action tools from AutoCAD or SolidWorks on the screen, enhancing productivity.

Large laptops have another advantage: better heat dissipation. With more physical space, they can handle heat and high temperatures more effectively as there’s more room for hot air to dissipate. Additionally, the RAM and storage are maxed out, making upgrades to 32GB RAM unnecessary unless you’re working with exceptionally complex and large rendering projects (more RAM reduces rendering time).

---

If you’re a student, this is a great laptop for power-intensive tasks. However, be aware that it’s very, very heavy—not ideal for frequent transport. This laptop is best suited for staying in one place. If you need portability, consider getting a smaller, lightweight laptop (like an 11-inch model) for schoolwork and programming, while reserving this laptop for power-hungry software at home.

Acer Nitro 17
PROS	CONS
High core count CPU Great multicore performance Handles 3D CAD large models Perfect for working 3D CAD engineers Superb large & high resolution display 8GB vRAM GPU	Expensive Very Low battery Very Heavy

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10. Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 – RTX 5000 Ada

Best Workstation For Engineering

  Core i9-13950HX

  128GB RAM

  NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada 16GB vRAM

  4TB SSD NVMe

  16″  UHD (3840 x 2400) TouchScreen  

  8 lbs

  1 hours

This laptop features the famous “workstation graphics card” you’ve likely heard so much about. However, before purchasing a workstation GPU, you need to be very, very well-informed, as they are expensive and might be overkill—even if you work in the 3D CAD design department.

  Hardware

---

First…

You need to be cautious of workstation GPUs that are too weak to justify their high price tags. It is very common to find overpriced workstation GPUs, and some of them even perform worse than budget gaming laptops with good old 4GB vRAM GPUs.

For example, it’s not unusual to find a workstation GPU like the P1000 on a laptop costing more than a laptop with a 1650GTX, despite the latter offering more GPU power for 3D modeling tasks.

Below is a very useful table to compare the hardware (GPUs) in workstation laptops to understand their price-to-performance ratio. You can do this by noting the ‘consumer’ GPU equivalent. For instance, RTX 3000 laptops sell for around $2000–$2500, yet you can find laptops with 6GB vRAM GPUs like the 2070RTX or 4050RTX selling for $1000.

Workstation GPU	Consumer Equivalent	Cores/Shaders	Clock Speed	vRAM
RTX 3000	2070RTX+	1280	1380	6GB
RTX 4000	2070/2080	2560	1560	8GB
RTX 5000	2080RTX+++	3072	1350	16GB
RTX A2000	~3050Ti	2560	1200	4GB
RTX A3000	~3060RTX	4096	1560	6GB
RTX A4000	~3070RTX	5120	1560	8GB
RTX A5000	~3080RTX	6144	1695	16GB
RTX A5500	~3080Ti	7424	???	16GB
RTX Ada 3500	~4070RTX			8GB
RTX Ada 4000	~4080RTX			12GB
RTX Ada 5000	~4090 RTX	9728	16820	16GB

Does this mean all workstation GPUs are useless because their ‘gaming’ GPU equivalents are cheaper? Not necessarily. To understand the real difference, let’s check out their performance:

  Performance

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While it’s true that workstation GPUs are tailored for 3D modeling work, most engineers—especially 3D CAD engineers—may not find them particularly useful. It’s a very broad topic that might require a dedicated post, but in summary, they are only beneficial when working with very, very complex and large 3D models.

To give you an example, take a look at the picture below:

The model above can be handled easily by the Acer Nitro 5 with its 6GB vRAM, though you might experience some lag and occasional artifacts while using the viewport. The difference is that a workstation GPU like the RTX 5000 Ada will provide much greater stability while drawing and navigating the viewport. There will be significantly less lag compared to gaming GPUs, and no artifacts at all.

That said, you don’t need to purchase a laptop with the RTX 5000 Ada GPU, which is excessively expensive. A workstation GPU with 6GB vRAM, as shown in the table, will deliver comparable performance for the model above.

The RTX 5000 Ada only becomes essential when working with models that are five times more complex and larger than the one shown above. But let’s be honest—that’s a rare scenario for most engineers.

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In summary, here are the instances where you should consider buying a laptop like this one:

• When working at a company with a consumer GPU (even one with 16GB vRAM) but still experiencing lag while using the viewport.
• To minimize lag as much as possible when dealing with very large models (1000–5000 parts).
• To eliminate errors and artifacts for a smoother, more accurate design workflow.
• To unlock plugins and features that are only supported with workstation GPUs. (For a list, check your software’s official website.)

Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2
PROS	CONS
Most powerful CPU & GPU for 3D CAD software Supports 3D models regardless of size Perfect for 3D CAD engineers Large 4k resolution display	Extremely expensive Very Low battery life Very very heavy

How To Buy The Best Laptop For Engineering

In this section we’re going to go over a typical engineering curriculum, take example projects, revisit the software used for said project and talk about the hardware required for it. 

Before we get to that though..

The Engineering Department

Check your engineering department’s website and head over to the IT section for the following:

Computer Labs

Chances are, no in fact, I am 100% sure there is at least TWO labs which have dozens of computers with powerful hardware and all the engineering software you’ll need already installed in your school.

I would 100% recommend you use the labs for those ‘hardware demanding’ projects which as you’ll see in this section is limited to perhaps ONE per year. Then buy and use ANY laptop of your liking for homework, programming, designing. Since those tasks do not require anything more than a cheap laptop you can focus on laptop’s form factor and weight.

Note that im not saying you use the labs only and not use a laptop while in school.  You will obviously need a laptop to write papers, program, design, research, do homework. Just don’t focus on power so much.

Remote Access

Did you know, you may not even have to go to the lab when those ‘hardware core engineering projects’ show up? A lot of departments now have the remote access feature which as the name implies will let you access these computers remotely.

All you need is a laptop that has an internet connection. Yes, you can even run and design 3D models through remote access.

As for the internet connection,  a good basic internet connection should give you NO LAG when hovering over the tools or dragging polygon lines to draw. If your project requires a LOT of precision when drawing, then if your internet connection isn’t good enough you may just have to head over to the lab.

The Engineering Curriculum

With that said let us see how the typical curriculum looks and dig in deeper into each of the classes that require an engineering software. 

We won’t be able to do this for every engineering field so we’ll just pick one.

I’ve decided to pick the MECHANICAL curriculum because it is the MOST versatile in terms of software.

In other words, mechanical engineers have to run circuits, program , design with different types of 3D CAD software and so on. 

If you are interested in knowing what your curriculum looks like, check the following links.

Aerospace & Aeronautical
Chemical
Civil
Electrical
Computer
Software
Mechanical

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Freshman Year
Fall Semester   Chemistry I Calculus I Social Science Core Class English Core Class Linear Algebra	Spring Semester   Physics I Calculus II Introduction to Programming Engineering Graphics English Core Class II
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester   Physics II Calculus III Creative Decisions and Design Engineering Materials Statics	Spring Semester   Circuits and Electronics Differential Equations Computing Techniques Dynamics of Rigid Bodies Social Science Elective
Junior Year
Fall Semester   Instrument & Electronics Lab Mechanics of Deformable Bodies Thermodynamics Fluid Mechanics Economics Humanities Elective	Spring Semester   System Dynamics Heat Transfer Experimental Methods Lab Engineering Economics Statistics and Applications Social Science Elective
Senior Year
Fall Semester   Machine Design Design, Materials and Manufacture ME Systems Lab Elective Elective	Spring Semester   Senior Design Project ME Elective Humanities Free Elective Free Elective Free Elective

The following are the most commonly used software for EACH of these classes. How do I know? I’ve taken these classes but if you still don’t believe me you can download the curriculum of each of these classes by heading over to your professor’s website for the course. 

I know this is the mechanical engineering curricula but as you’ll find out sooner or later. Electrical , Aeronautical , computer engineers will use a combination or variation of the following too.

It’s only civil engineers and chemical engineers that ones not usingLabView & Mobile Studio/DAQ Board software because those are for circuit design and testing but will definitely use all the rest (especially CAD Software).

Course	Software
Introduction to Computing	MatLab
Engineering Graphics	CAD Software (Ex: AutoCAD)
Calculus III	MatLab
Creative Decisions and Design	Optional 3D design software
Circuits and Electronics	LabView
Computing Techniques	MatLab
Instrument & Electronics Lab	Mobile Studio / DAQ Board software
Experimental Methods Lab:	C++, Matlab, Excel

Additional engineering software for each field

If you go a step further like I recommended, these are basically a summary of very niche software for each engineering field.

Major	Software
Electrical & Computer	CAD Electrical, SPICE, LabView
Chemical	MatLab, Excel, MathCad, ChemCad
Aeronautical & Aerospace	CATIA,  SolidWorks, ANSYS, MatLab
Civil	Civil 3D, Revit
Mechanical	SolidWorks, Inventor, ANSYS, MatLab

Hardware Requirements For Engineering Student Software

Finally, here are the hardware requirements. If you are a beginner in computer terminology check my posts on beginner guide to laptop/computer specs.

Software	CPU	RAM	GPU	Comments
MatLab & Mathcad	Any Intel or AMD	8GB RAM	Integrated. Dedicated is optional	A dedicated GPU will speed up extremely intensive simulations. However only graduate students or researchers run those projects.
Mobile Studio / LabView	Any CPU even celeron & pentium	1GB RAM	—-	You will need to buy a USB to serial port adapter so you can plug in a data acquisition system.
Programming languages (C++)	Any CPU	8GB RAM	—	High-end CPUs are only useful for very intensive data science calculations and such.
Excel	Any CPU	8GB RAM	—	You only need to add more RAM if you have to process a lot of data, again only grad students and researchers MIGHT come across this issue.
ASPEN, ChemCAD, Electrical CAD	Any CPU	8GB RAM	—	No need for dedicated (discrete) GPU. Even 3D models run fine with integrated graphics.
3D CAD (Revit, Civil 3D, SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA)	Quad Core CPU	8GB RAM	4GB vRAM GPU	4GB vRAM GPUs would be the maximum for engineering students.
CAE ( ANSYS )	i5 or i7 processor 8GB RAM 1GB vRAM		Workstation GPU	Although the site says workstation GPU that’s only required for working engineers. Students can use a simple discrete GPU and may not even run into ANSYS while in school.

 

Now let’s talk about each computer spec and how it relates to 3D modeling & engineering software. Please keep in mind that the following needs a bit of computer knowledge. Be sure to read my guide on computer specs for beginner.

1. CPU (Processor)

You’ve seen above most engineering software have no special requirements for a CPU.

That’s because most of the software are basically about 2D graphcs which are just simple low-data images that even your phone can display  images. Programming  is just basically typing text (code) for calculations which your phone can do as well.

3D Modeling CPUs

The issue starts when you deal with 3D models and graphics. Those are going to be significantly more hardware demanding because rendering objects with all physical laws means there’s a LOT of data to be calculated. 

That doesn’t mean you have to get a CPU from NASA because your phone can ALSO render 3D objects, that just means you need to a slightly faster than average CPU. 

Windows 11 & 12

Also take into consideration that Windows 10 or Windows 11 and Windows 12,  takes a lot of resources too. In fact, that is an equally important consideration when picking up a CPU. NOT ALL CPUs can run Windows fast enough to have a decent workflow!

All of the following listed CPUs work equally fast for the full version of Windows. The difference between these is their performance for engineering software:

Intel CPUs

*P=performance Core E=efficient Core

AMD CPUs

Pink & Orange: Overkill for engineering students unless you want to play games at very high settings. Useful for graduate school projects and working engineers though.

Green: Fine choices for all degrees. If you want to run 3D modeling software, then make sure you pick a Ryzen 5 or Core i5 from this group (Avoid 7th generation Ryzen CPUs due to lower graphics performance).

Author Profile

Miguel Salas

I am physicist and electrical engineer. My knowledge in computer software and hardware stems for my years spent doing research in optics and photonics devices and running simulations through various programming languages. My goal was to work for the quantum computing research team at IBM but Im now working with Astrophysical Simulations through Python. Most of the science related posts are written by me, the rest have different authors but I edited the final versions to fit the site's format.

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