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.
Best Pre-Fire Laptop Deals Happening Right Now
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 2019-12-08 at 12:05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Are Apple MacBooks Good For Engineering?
This is a commonly asked question. To be frank, the answer is no. Because you will run into compatibility issues with a lot of engineering software. Better to go with a Windows laptop.
This will save you a lot of headaches in the long. On the flip side, there is no rule that you can’t use a MacBook in engineering school. There are numerous students who use MacBooks as their daily driver in engineering.
Keep in mind that you have to dual-boot Windows in order to use some of the engineering software. Go with the Apple MacBook Pro if you decide on a MacBook. It has better performance than the MacBook Air and will serve you well.
Here Are The Best Laptops For Electrical/Electronic Engineering Students And Majors
| Name | Processor | GPU & RAM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Surface Book 2 | Up To Intel Core i7-8550U | Up To NVIDIA GTX 1060 & 16GB | Buy On Amazon |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme | Intel Core i7-8850H | NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti & 32GB | Buy On Amazon |
| Dell XPS 13 | Intel Core i7-8550U | Intel HD Graphics & 16GB | Buy On Amazon |
| Huawei MateBook X Pro | Intel Core i7-8550U | NVIDIA MX150 & 16GB | Buy On Amazon |
| Dell XPS 15 | Intel Core i7-8750H | NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti & 16GB | Buy On Amazon |
| Acer Aspire E15 | Intel Core i5-8250U | NVIDIA MX150 & 8GB | Buy On Amazon |
Best Overall
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.
Another good alternative is the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 which is similar but with fewer USB ports.
Pros
Amazing Screen
Great Keyboard
Solid Performance
Great Battery Life
Cons
No Thunderbolt 3 Port
Very Hard To Repair And Upgrade
Last update on 2019-12-08 at 12:05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best For EE Majors
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 an 8th 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 1050 Ti 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 4K (3840 x 2160). A sharp and colourful display. Red is red. Black is black. 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 upgradeability make it one of the best laptops for electrical/electronic engineering 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
Last update on 2019-12-08 at 13:05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Lightweight
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.
Pros
Beautiful Display
Easy To Carry
Strong Battery Life
Solid Performance
Cons
Awkward Webcam Position
No USB-A Ports
Last update on 2019-12-08 at 09:35 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Value
Huawei MateBook X Pro
The Huawei Matebook X Pro is a solid alternative option to the Microsoft Surface Book 2 for those who don’t want a convertible laptop. 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. It’s on a similar level with the 4K Dell XPS 13 and Microsoft Surface Book 2.
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. A good alternative to the MacBook Pro but without its hefty price tag.
Pros
Stunning Display
Lightweight
Comfortable Keyboard
Good Performance
Cons
Runs Hot
Loud Fans
Last update on 2019-12-08 at 10:55 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5th Place
Dell XPS 15
The Dell XPS 13 offers a fine balance between gaming and professionalism. A hybrid of sorts. It’s small, sleek and has an aluminium build.
The Dell XPS 15 makes use of a high-performance 8th 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 1050 Ti. A capable card that is able to give you an average of 40 FPS on most AAA title games on 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.
Pros
Great Performance
Can Game
Good Battery Life
Easy To Carry
Cons
Webcam At Awkward Position
Not The Best Speaker
Last update on 2019-12-08 at 10:55 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Budget – Cheap Laptop For Electrical/Electronic Engineering Students
Acer Aspire E15
The Acer Aspire E15 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 an 8th 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 256GB 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 MX150 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 E15 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 E15 is no exception. You can follow this guide on how to get rid of bloatware from a Windows laptop. Or you can choose to do a clean installation.
The Acer Aspire E15 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
Last update on 2019-12-08 at 08:55 / 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.
