There are a ton of laptop computer offers now that back-to-school season is in full swing. In case you’re an engineering scholar, you’re going to want a machine that may deal with resource-intensive coursework. A robust CPU and a great deal of reminiscence and storage are an absolute should. Portability is a crucial issue too, particularly in the event you’re going from class to class. In case you’re undecided the place to start your search, don’t sweat it. We’ve assembled a listing of laptops which are excellent for engineering college students, as they’re each highly effective and transportable. Learn on to be taught extra.
Why you must belief us: Hey, it’s in our title! PCWorld prides itself on laptop computer expertise and experience. We’ve been overlaying PCs since 1983, and we now overview greater than 70 laptops yearly. The entire picks beneath have been personally examined and vetted by our specialists, who’ve utilized not solely efficiency benchmarks however rigorous usability requirements. We’re additionally dedicated to reviewing PC laptops at each worth level that can assist you discover a machine that matches your funds.
Greatest laptop computer offers proper now:
Microsoft Floor Laptop computer 5, Intel Core i5-1235U CPU/Intel Iris Xe graphics/8GB RAM/512GB SSD/13.5-inch 1504p contact show, $899.99 ($400 off at Greatest Purchase)
Acer Aspire 5 Laptop computer, Intel Core i5-1335U CPU/Intel Iris Xe graphics/8GB RAM/512GB SSD/15.6-inch 1080p show, $549.99 ($100 off at Acer)
Dell XPS 13 Laptop computer, Intel Core i5-1230U CPU/Intel Iris Xe graphics/8GB RAM/256GB SSD/13.4-inch 1200p show, $599 ($200 off at Dell)
The Microsoft Floor Laptop computer 5 is a superb choice for engineering college students as a result of its very transportable at lower than three kilos. You possibly can simply take it with you from class to class. It’s additionally highly effective sufficient to run engineering software program due to the Intel Core i5-1235U CPU, and the stylish rose gold scheme is drop useless attractive.
Dell XPS 17 (2023) – Greatest general
Execs
Expansive 17-inch 16:10 show
Skinny chassis
Unbelievable battery life
Cons
Excessive worth with out OLED show
Low-wattage GPU limits 3D efficiency
Low-res 720p webcam
Value When Reviewed:
From $2,449 | Mannequin reviewed $3,099
The Dell XPS 17 has rather a lot going for it. You’re getting super-fast efficiency, a vivid show, and lengthy battery life. The laptop computer additionally gives nice connectivity options with 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports and an impressively lengthy battery life. Beneath the hood, it’s rocking an Intel Core i7-13700H CPU, an Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. That’s a ton of reminiscence and storage, which is an effective factor in the event you’re utilizing numerous resource-intensive purposes comparable to 3D CAD modeling applications
The one actual draw back is that the XPS 17 weighs just below 5 and a half kilos, so it’s an actual beast. The webcam is simply 720p, as effectively, which can be a draw back if it’s a must to do any on-line courses or video-conferencing. Purchase in the event you can reside with these minor shortcomings, the most recent XPS 17 is an outstanding selection.
Acer Aspire 3 – Greatest funds choice

Execs
Spacious keyboard with quantity pad
HD webcam
Strong video playback efficiency
Respectable enterprise app efficiency
Workday-long battery life
Cons
Poor gaming graphics efficiency
Fundamental 1080p show
Small 128GB storage drive
Value When Reviewed:
$329.99
In case you’re wanting to avoid wasting money, the Acer Aspire 3 is a worthy selection. It packs an excellent quantity of efficiency for not some huge cash. Plus, the full-size keyboard gives a great deal of room, which is ideal for writing these time period papers or modifying these CAD fashions. Whereas that’s all effectively and good, the internals are actually what makes this laptop computer a stable worth purchase.
The Aspire 3 comes with a Ryzen 3 7320U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of PCIe SSD storage. The 15.8-inch 1080p show additionally has first rate shade high quality. In our checks we discovered that the battery was in a position to maintain a cost for as much as eight hours of steady use—sufficient to final a full day of courses. One of the shocking options was the design. Whereas a bit utilitarian, it’s one of many sturdiest builds we’ve seen on a funds laptop computer. All in all, the Acer Aspire 3 offers you loads of bang for comparatively couple of dollars.
Asus Zenbook 14X OLED – Greatest OLED show underneath $1,000

Execs
Strong construct high quality
Glorious OLED show
Pleasing keyboard and touchpad
Lengthy battery life
Cons
Boring exterior design
Weak graphics efficiency
Might use one other USB-A port
Value When Reviewed:
$799.99
The Asus Zenbook 14X OLED has rather a lot going for it. This machine gives lengthy battery life, rugged construct high quality, and a pleasing typing expertise. Nevertheless, the true star of the present is the gorgeous 1800p OLED show. The 14.5-inch display screen incorporates a decision of 2880×1800 and a refresh fee of 120Hz. In accordance with our reviewer, it “gives an infinite distinction ratio that may attain an ideal minimal luminance of zero nits.” Which means you’re going to get a lifelike expertise in dimly lit scenes. Wish to know one of the best half? The entire package deal solely prices $799.99, which is a killer worth.
The Zenbook 14X comes outfitted with an Intel Core i5-13500H CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. In different phrases, it’s able to dealing with engineering software program in addition to on a regular basis duties like checking electronic mail and watching Netflix. On the finish of the day, it’s a wise laptop computer with an outstanding display screen. In comparison with different laptops on this worth level, you’ll see sacrifices within the {hardware} or keyboard, however that’s not the case right here with the Zenbook 14X.
Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip – Greatest battery life

Execs
Spectacular battery life
Spacious touchpad
1080p webcam
Pretty show
Cons
Heavier than anticipated
Show is simply too reflective in exterior environments
Middling efficiency
Value When Reviewed:
$499
When going to and from courses, taking notes, after which doing assignments, you may not all the time have a handy option to cost your laptop computer so that you want one thing that can final all day. The Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip does simply that with a incredible battery that simply doesn’t appear cease. It lasted a jaw-dropping 19 hours on a single cost throughout our testing—we needed to run the benchmark twice simply to verify. That’s positively wild. For many laptops in the event you can eek out 10 hours on a single cost it’s thought-about a long-lasting. However the CM34 Flip virtually doubles that quantity.
Lest you be involved about whether or not this Chromebook might be a stable performer, know that it options AMD’s Ryzen 3 7320C (just like the Acer Aspire 3 above), which is superior to a Snapdragon CPU. This 2-in-1 Chromebook additionally comes with a colourful touchscreen show, snug touchpad, and high-quality 1080p webcam. It’s not probably the most transportable although, weighing in at simply over 4 kilos. However in the event you’re on the hunt for a long-lasting on a regular basis machine that received’t break the financial institution, you possibly can’t get a lot better than the CM34 Flip.
Lenovo Legion 5 Professional (2023) – Greatest for work and gaming

Execs
Good-looking design
Glorious keyboard
Plenty of connectivity
Robust CPU and GPU efficiency
Cons
Heavy and ponderous
Mediocre show
Brief battery life
Value When Reviewed:
$1,699.99
Lenovo simply continues to enhance upon its Legion 5 Professional laptop computer, which gives superior gaming efficiency, very good connectivity options, a sturdy design, and way more. It may possibly simply deal with each schoolwork in addition to late-night gaming classes. Whereas it isn’t precisely low-cost, contemplating the efficiency options it offers you, the pricing can truly be thought-about inexpensive as effectively.
This laptop computer is rocking an Intel Core i7-13700H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. It carried out effectively in our gaming checks with numbers that land it solidly within the midrange gaming laptop computer pack. As for the 16-inch show, it has a decision of 2560×1600 and a most refresh fee of 165Hz. We weren’t too impressed with the display screen, which, whereas undoubtedly vivid, will not be as vibrant as others we’ve seen. Nonetheless, in the event you’re in search of a flexible laptop computer that may do all of it—work and play—look no additional than Lenovo’s newest Legion 5 Professional.
MSI Skinny GF63 (2023) – Greatest for work and gaming on a funds

Execs
Moderately priced
Respectable 1080p gaming
Effectively made
Engaging crimson keyboard backlighting
Cons
Disappointing display screen
Not probably the most highly effective
Poor battery life
Value When Reviewed:
$999
In case you’re seeking to squeeze in some 1080p gaming between courses, the MSI Skinny GF63 is value trying out. For a gaming laptop computer, it’s truly fairly light-weight at simply over 4 kilos, which is nice for individuals who prefer to sport on-the-go. Most gaming laptops tip the scales at six kilos or extra. As for what’s happening underneath the hood, it packs a good quantity of energy for a funds gaming machine. Let’s dive proper in.
The MSI Skinny GF63 comes with an Intel Core i7-12650H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. Given the {hardware}, you must be capable of run most video games on the Medium or Excessive graphics preset. For extra graphically demanding video games during which velocity is every thing, we’d advocate dialing the graphics again a bit. The 15.6-inch show has a decision of 1920×1080 and a refresh fee of 144Hz. Though it ekes out simply 300 nits of brightness (which is widespread for a funds gaming laptop computer), gameplay needs to be fairly easy due to the excessive refresh fee. It’s not probably the most vibrant or color-accurate display screen we’ve ever seen, but it surely’s satisfactory, particularly for a sub-$1,000 machine.
In case you can reside with the sacrifices, then the MSI Skinny GF63 is a superb funds choice for many college students.
Acer Swift Edge 16 – Most transportable

Execs
Extraordinarily skinny and light-weight
Attractive OLED show
Robust CPU efficiency in short-duration duties
Built-in Radeon graphics performs effectively
Cons
Design doesn’t impress
Mediocre keyboard and touchpad
Very weak audio system
Value When Reviewed:
$1,299.99
The Acer Swift Edge 16 is a incredible laptop computer for college students. Not solely is it skinny and light-weight, however the OLED display screen is attractive and tremendous vibrant. It weighs simply 2.71 kilos, which is taken into account featherlight so far as ultraportable laptops are involved. Regardless of its dimension, you’re nonetheless getting a fairly spacious 16-inch 2000p OLED show with a 120Hz refresh fee. In accordance with our reviewer, the show “delivers an infinite distinction ratio and deep, inky black ranges that produce convincing shadows in darkish scenes.” Whereas the display screen is an absolute delight to binge your favourite Netflix exhibits on, the 54 watt-hour battery is each small and considerably missing, managing solely six to seven hours of battery life on a single cost. That’s not a horrible consequence, however we’ve seen higher.
The laptop computer options an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. Whether or not you’re researching a subject or composing emails, it’s designed with day-to-day productiveness in thoughts. The design itself is on the blander facet, because it’s only a black sq., however some people could dig the simplicity of it. In case you’re in search of a thin-and-light laptop computer with a surprising 16-inch OLED show, then the Acer Swift Edge 16 is a high-quality selection. The value (simply over $1,000) isn’t too unhealthy, both.
How we examined
The PCWorld crew places each Home windows laptop computer via a collection of intense benchmarks that check GPU and CPU efficiency, battery life, and so forth. The thought is to push the laptop computer to its limits after which examine it in opposition to others we’ve examined. Under, you’ll discover a breakdown of every check and the explanation why we run them.
Home windows laptops
PCMark 10: The PCMark 10 benchmark is how we decide how effectively the laptop computer handles common use duties like net looking, phrase processing, spreadsheets, streaming, and so forth.
HandBrake: HandBrake is extra intensive than PCMark 10. It measures how lengthy a laptop computer’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
Cinebench: Cinebench is a short stress check of the CPU cores. It renders a 2D scene over a brief time period.
3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D efficiency stays constant over time by working graphic-intensive clips. That is how we check a gaming laptop computer’s GPU.
Video rundown check: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video utilizing Home windows 10’s Films & TV app till the laptop computer dies.
FAQ
How a lot processing energy will I want in an engineering laptop computer?
You’re going to want an excellent quantity of processing energy for engineering duties, so we’d advocate an Intel Core i5 or increased. Nevertheless, an Intel Core i7 is taken into account preferrred. This sort of processor is sweet for multitasking, gaming, and demanding workloads.
Is RAM essential to an engineering laptop computer?
Completely! The quantity of RAM immediately impacts the velocity of your applications. Engineering college students will probably be dwelling in applications like Java and Python, so ensuring these applications run easily is completely important. The naked minimal we’d advocate is 8GB, however 16GB is healthier.
What about storage?
You’re going to want fairly a little bit of house for a slew of engineering applications, so we’d advocate at the very least 512GB of SSD (stable state drive) storage. If you need more room and have the funds for it, go for 1TB of NVMe SSD storage.
How a lot ought to my laptop computer weigh?
You don’t need to be lugging a 5 pound beast from class to class. A transportable laptop computer ought to weigh about three kilos or much less. When it comes to portability and worth, we propose shopping for a laptop computer with a 13- or 14-inch show.