*Updated For 2020
Electrical/electronic engineering a professional engineering disciple that generally deals with electricity, electronics and electromagnetism.
It was from electrical/electronic engineering that gave rise to computer engineering. We wrote a buyer’s guide for computer engineering students concerning laptops a while back.
Just like every other engineering discipline. Electrical engineering is fast evolving and has a wide range of fields and applications. Electrical/electronic engineers also have a hefty salary which is competitive.
If you plan on pursuing an electrical engineering degree or major you will need a laptop.
Things have changed and having a laptop is important. You will practically do almost everything on it. Note taking, studying, project work, running CAD, etc.
All these will be done on your laptop. But choosing a laptop is not easy. Laptops come in different sizes and shapes.
Here are the best laptops for electrical/electronic engineering students and electrical engineering majors. This will help you in your studies.
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 allows you to take notes easily in class thanks to its detachable keyboard. A true convertible laptop.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme is the best laptop for EE Majors. Excellent performance, beautiful display and a great keyboard.
Nothing screams best value more than the Huawei MateBook X Pro.
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 allows you to take notes easily in class thanks to its detachable keyboard. A true convertible laptop.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme is the best laptop for EE Majors. Excellent performance, beautiful display and a great keyboard.
Nothing screams best value more than the Huawei MateBook X Pro.
Last update on 2020-03-30 at 00:45 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Preview | Name | Rating | Processor, GPU & RAM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Up To Intel Core i7-8550U, Up To NVIDIA GTX 1060 & 16GB | |||
 | Intel Core i7-9750H, NVIDIA GTX 1650 Max-Q & 32GB | |||
 | Intel Core i7-8550U, Intel HD Graphics & 16GB | |||
 | Intel Core i7-8550U, NVIDIA MX150 & 16GB | |||
 | Intel Core i7-9750H, NVIDIA GTX 1650 Max-Q & 16GB | |||
 | Intel Core i5-10210U NVIDIA, MX250 & 8GB |
Here Are The Best Laptops For Electrical/Electronic Engineering Students And Majors
Microsoft Surface Book 2
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is the perfect 2-in-1 laptop for note taking during classes.
Most convertible laptops require you to turn the display 360 degrees to be used in tablet mode. This just makes it more uncomfortable to use because the keyboard is in the way.
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 allows you to fully detach the display leaving the keyboard. This allows you to use the laptop in tablet mode in the truest sense.
It also doesn’t let the keyboard get in the way. You can then easily take notes during class eliminating the need to carry books.
Aside from being able to be used in tablet mode. The 2-in-1 laptop is a capable performer. It is powered by an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and has 8GB RAM.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a dedicated graphics card. The pricey version is the model with a dedicated graphics card. Still, the i5 is a capable processor which is more than enough for a lot of tasks.
The display on the Microsoft Surface Book 2 is truly amazing. A high-resolution PixelSense (3240 x 2160) display that has high brightness, colour accuracy and reproduction.
Battery life on this thing is nothing to scoff at. Expect for 10-12 hours of battery life under consistent usage.
Even with all its benefits the Microsoft Surface book 2 is hard to repair. If something goes wrong you have to send it to an experienced repairer or back to the manufacturer.
Also, upgrading the RAM or SSD it is a pain in the ass. Fortunately, the build quality is good so the chances of a component getting spoilt are slim.
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is a great 2-in-1 laptop for electrical engineering students or majors. The fact that you can use this as a tablet in the truest sense makes it so.
Pros
Amazing Screen
Great Keyboard
Solid Performance
Great Battery Life
Cons
No Thunderbolt 3 Port
Very Hard To Repair And Upgrade
- Microsoft Surface Book 2 Features a 7th generation Intel Dual Core i5 Processor, 256 GB of storage, 8 GB RAM, and up to 17 hours of video...
- Includes an Intel HD Graphics 620 integrated GPU; Full size SDXC card reader
- The fastest Surface Book yet, with 2x more power. Aspect ratio: 3:2, contrast ratio: 1600:1
- Vibrant PixelSense Display: now available with an improved 13.5" touchscreen
- Four versatile modes of use and new USB C port
Last update on 2020-03-30 at 00:45 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme
If you looking for something built like a tank then you will like the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme. A durable and powerful laptop that is going to last a long time. Everyone knows Thinkpads outlast most laptops on the market.
And the best thing about them is that they are easy to upgrade. This makes it perform at competitive levels even if it becomes old. You are able to upgrade the RAM to a maximum of 64GB.
Four times that of its current amount. The SSD can also be upgraded to the latest models found on the market. Ensuring the data transfers are as fast as ever.
The Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme is powered by a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 hexacore processor. The high-performance processor found in high-end gaming laptops.
This laptop will tear through a lot of tasks – heavy or light it doesn’t matter. And if you like to game the dedicated NVIDIA GTX 1650 Max-Q is a capable card that is able to run AAA title games smoothly on low to medium preset.
When it comes to the display it has a 15.6 inch 1080p. A sharp and beautiful display. This display is rich and bright you will never want to go back to the average display.
Battery life on this machine is also impressive being able to last 8-9 hours under consistent usage.
The Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme tends to run a little bit hot when under heavy loads. But, not so hot it becomes unusable. Putting it on a hard surface will help keep the heat away from you.
If you are looking for a long lasting laptop the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme fits the requirements.
The hardware and easy upgrade-ability make it one of the best laptops for electrical/electronic engineering students and even more so if you are an EE major.
Pros
Great Performance
Built Like A Tank
Very Easy To Upgrade
Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports
Cons
Runs A Bit Hot
- Intel Core i7-9750H Six-core 2.60GHz (Up to 4.50GHz) Processor
- 32GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM (16GB DIMM + 16GB DIMM), 1TB PCIe-NVMe SSD (1,800 MB/s Read / 1,800 MB/s Write)
- 15.6" FHD (1920x1080, 500 nits) IPS anti-glare Display with Dolby Vision HDR 400
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q 4GB, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, 1 Year Lenovo Warranty
- RAM & Hard Drive Upgrades | View Product Description for complete details and specifications
Last update on 2020-03-30 at 04:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 is one of the most portable laptops on the market. In addition to that, it has above average battery life and performance. The build quality is also solid and the design is beautiful.
This laptop will be able to handle Matlab and CAD thanks to its 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor. It also has 16GB RAM and a 512GB PCIe SSD.
When it comes to the display the Dell XPS 13 will blow you away. A 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) InfinityEdge touchscreen display.
Everything about the display is great. The colour accuracy and reproduction is high. Brightness and viewing angles are great.
The display makes colours pop, crisp and sharp. Youtube videos and movies will look so much better than the average display on other laptops.
Battery life is also above average. The Dell XPS 13 is able to last 8-9 hours of consistent use before requiring a recharge. The laptop weighs roughly 2.2 pounds. Light enough to carry to classes or around campus.
For port selection, you have no USB-A ports only three USB-C. Two of the USB-C support Thunderbolt 3. Dell should have included at least one USB-A port.
You have no option but to get a dock if you want to connect other peripherals to your Dell XPS 13. The good thing is that you can hook it up to an external GPU and turn it into a gaming machine.
Overall, the Dell XPS 13 is a portable machine with enough performance to handle a lot of electrical engineering software. In addition to that, few laptops are able to beat its beautiful display.
A solid laptop for electrical engineering students and majors.
Pros
Beautiful Display
Easy To Carry
Strong Battery Life
Solid Performance
Cons
Awkward Webcam Position
No USB-A Ports
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality...
- 13.3-Inch Touch-Screen Infinity-Edge 4K UHD (3840x2160) Display
- 8th Gen Intel Quad Core i7-8550U 1.80 GHz (4 Cores 8 Threads, Turbo 4.0 GHz, 8MB SmartCache)
- 512GB PCIe SSD | 16GB DDR3 | Killer 1435 802.11AC 2x2 WLAN + Bluetooth 4.1 Combo
- Backlit Keyboard | ThunderBolt 3 USB-C | 1 Year Of Microsoft Office 365 included
Last update on 2020-03-30 at 04:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Huawei MateBook X Pro
The Huawei Matebook X Pro is a solid alternative laptop for electrical engineering. This laptop has a similar design and looks to Apple MacBooks but without the price tag.
It is easy to carry weighing almost 3 pounds and has great battery life. You are looking somewhere between 9-10 hours under consistent use. The keyboard is also great having the right amount of key travel and tactile feedback.
The Huawei Matebook X pro is powered by an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD.
A powerful processor and enough RAM to run a lot of tasks and multitasking. This laptop will meet the requirements for an electrical engineering laptop.
On top of that, it has a dedicated NVIDIA MX150 graphics card. An entry-level card that can handle Fortnite and Overwatch. A card meant for light gaming but not AAA title games.
The laptop has 13.9-inch has a high resolution (3000 x 2000) thin bezel display. Sharp, bright and has high colour accuracy and reproduction.
The X Pro has a Thunderbolt 3 port included allowing you to connect to an external GPU or a 4K external monitor.
Sadly, the Huawei Matebook X Pro runs hot under heavy loads. The price paid for having a slim chassis.
Slim chassis laptops more often than not have cooling problems. The fans also get loud. A necessary evil to cool the laptop down under heavy loads.
Overall, the Huawei Matebook X Pro is a solid option because it offers a lot of value and good price-to-performance ratio. This makes it one of the best laptops for electrical engineering.
Pros
Stunning Display
Lightweight
Comfortable Keyboard
Good Performance
Cons
Runs Hot
Loud Fans
- Watch your favorite shows in HD detail with the MateBook X Pro’s 3K display that features a stunning 3000 x 2000 resolution. Plus, the...
- With a performance boost of 40 percent generation over generation, 8th Gen Intel Core processors deliver the power and responsiveness to...
- Go about your day sans charger—the MateBook X Pro delivers an impressive 15 hours per charge, helping it last through a full workday and...
- The MateBook X Pro is as portable as it is professional. Its slim and light build weighs in at just 2.9 pounds, so you can throw it in your...
- Windows 10 Home delivers faster start-ups, your favorite applications, and great new ways to get stuff done across multiple devices
Last update on 2020-03-30 at 03:35 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Dell XPS 15
The Dell XPS 15 makes use of a high-performance 9th Gen Intel Core i7. The type of processor found in high-end gaming laptops. This laptop will crush most of your heavy tasks with ease. It also has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.
The graphics card is a dedicated NVIDIA GTX 1650 Max-Q. A capable card that is able to run AAA title games on low – medium settings. If you prefer Fornite, Overwatch or PUBG. Rest assured that you will be able to play them smoothly.
What makes the Dell XPS 15 great is that it is able to game whilst having a long battery life. Most gaming laptops have the worst battery life.
But, it is to be expected since their components are power-hungry. You are able to get 8-9 hours of battery life under consistent usage. Pretty impressive for a mid-range gaming laptop.
Looking at the Dell XPS 13. It’s one of the few hybrid laptops that’s able to give and have long battery life.
It’s professional and has a good build quality. A solid option if you don’t mind its awkward placed webcam and its mediocre speakers.
Overall, one of the best dell laptop for electrical engineering students and majors.
Pros
Great Performance
Can Game
Good Battery Life
Easy To Carry
Cons
Runs Hot
- 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) InfinityEdge Anti-Glare Non-touch IPS 100% sRGB 500-Nits display
- Intel Core i7-9750H (Six-Core, 12M Cache)
- 16GB RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD
- English Backlit Keyboard with Fingerprint Reader
- Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit, 97WHr 6C Battery
Last update on 2020-03-30 at 01:55 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Acer Aspire 5
The Acer Aspire 5 is a cheap laptop for electrical engineering students on a tight budget. Even though it’s a budget laptop the hardware on this machine is praiseworthy.
In terms of performance, it is powered by a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor. It’s not the high-performance one but low power.
Still, it is a capable processor that can handle most tasks. Where it starts to struggle is are the intensive loads.
The RAM is 8GB and the storage device is a 512GB SSD. Most budget laptops have an HDD. This laptop will boot up quickly and has a higher read/write speed than an HDD.
In addition to that, it has an entry-level NVIDIA MX250 graphics card. A card good enough for casual games, not AAA title gaming. It decent enough to get high enough FPS for smooth gameplay on Fortnite and Overwatch.
When it comes to the display it is a 15.6 inch Full HD (1920 x 1080). Colour accuracy and reproduction is average but surprisingly the sharpness is decent. Brightness on this laptop is low and using it outdoors will be quite difficult.
The Acer Aspire 5 is able to last 8 hours of consistent use before requiring a recharge.
Unfortunately, Acer laptops are plagued with a lot of bloatware and the Acer Aspire 5 is no exception.
The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the best budget laptops for electrical engineering students. Because laptops with similar hardware are not in its price range. And more often than not expensive.
Pros
Solid Performance
Good Battery Life
Sharp Display
Affordable
Cons
Bloatware
Low Brightness
- 10th Generation Intel Core i5-10210u Processor (Up to 4 2GHz) | 8GB DDR4 Memory | 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- 15 6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED-backlit IPS display | NVIDIA GeForce MX250 with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM
- Intel wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX201 802 11Ax | Backlit keyboard | up to 9 5 hours Battery Life
- 1 - USB 3 1 Type C Gen 1 port 2 - USB 3 1 Gen 1 ports (one with power-off charging) 1 - USB 2 0 port & 1 - HDMI Port
- Windows 10 Home
Last update on 2020-03-30 at 01:55 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Final Thoughts
That’s it for the best laptops for electrical engineering students and majors. You need all the processing power you can get. Because electrical engineering software have quite the demanding requirements.
