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- Best Macbook For Software Engineering
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If you are an engineering student, you may have felt the need to get the best laptop to help you run all the heavy-weight programs. Engineering students usually want a laptop that can do a lot of work without slowing them down too much. We understand that most of you may want something that does not hurt your pocket too much without compromising on the features. We have a list of best laptops for engineering students that fit in different price ranges and have features that can be helpful for engineering students.
See Also: Best laptops for DJs 2016
LibreCAD is a software business in the United States that publishes a software suite called LibreCAD. The LibreCAD product is Windows, and Mac software. LibreCAD offers a free version. LibreCAD includes online support. LibreCAD is engineering software, and includes features such as 2d drawing, and presentation tools.
Buying Guide
When choosing the best laptop for an engineering student in 2021, there are some important factors that should help make your purchase decision. Apart from common requirements such as a fantastic display and impressive battery life, consider additional factors if you are a student.
- Software compatibility – An engineering student may use specific software programs like AutoCAD, Photoshop or Oracle if he/she happens to be a computer engineer. While requirements might vary, it is essential to find out whether your laptop runs on Linux, Windows or Mac. Make sure your laptop supports the software programs that you plan to use for your studies.
- Graphics rendering capability – Programs like CAD/CAM and any kind of analysis software will require 3D rendering to be done on a work-class level. Some people do suggest gaming laptops to be the best alternative but they are usually not portable and don't deliver on battery life. They do have a dedicated graphics card that could help.
- Multiple processor cores – The newer generation Intel i7 processors and AMD Ryzen chipsets are ideal for engineering students. Every last automation, programming and design rendering software demands as many cores as possible combined with higher RAM capacity.
- Battery life – Never opt for a laptop that offers less than 7 hours of battery life especially if you are planning to take your laptop to the university and need to be away from a charging point for extended periods. It also helps in getting the most out of your work done on the go than at home.
- Look for a bigger display – The laptop you choose should at least have a 14 or 15-inch display because larger displays reduce eye strain, are easier to use in most applications and can also double up as an optional device for entertainment such as movies or gaming. They are ideal for students who live in a dormitory and have limited space to set up dedicated monitors.
The Best Engineering Laptops
Best Engineering Laptop From Lenovo With Excellent Performance
Lenovo ThinkPad P50
The P50 is an outstanding laptop built by Lenovo. The lowest model features an Intel Skylake i7 processor with 16GB RAM. It has a 128GB SSD and a 500GB HDD. The 15.6-inch full HD screen has perfect viewing angles. The premium performance of this laptop puts it at the top when it comes to performance. Engineering students who are hunting for a laptop that provides top-notch features will love this machine.
Why you should buy this?
- The workstation is perfect for computing-intensive productivity apps like CAD or any other engineering software.
- The laptop offers outstanding connectivity with an extensive selection of ports.
- Equipped with enterprise-class features for the most in-demand mobile workstation use.
- The laptop has passed MIL-STD 810G tests, which ensures it is long-lasting.
- It is competent to run most high-end games for engineers who love gaming
Best Affordable Laptop For Engineering Student
Dell Inspiron i7559-763
This 15.6-inch laptop is powered by 6th Gen Intel Quad-Core i5 processor along with 8 GB RAM to deliver a speedy performance. The 256GB SSD memory ensures friskiness and the Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M graphics card makes videos very clear. The SSD memory ensures durability and a higher sense of reliability when it comes to the storage on the laptop. It is the best laptop for engineering students who want something powerful. The pricing is competitive too making it good for students who do not want to spend too much on a laptop.
Why you should buy this?
- The system remains cool even after numerous hours of operation and showcases great performance
- Optimized for work productivity as well as mid-range gaming performance
- A pre-calibrated screen that can be set to specific modes for different needs.
- An ideal choice for content-creation hobbyists
Best Laptop For Engineering Student With Light Weight
HP ZBook 14-G1
Powered by Intel Core i7 and paired with 8GB RAM, the HP ZBook 14-G1, is all about quick results and brilliant performance. The 14-inch screen is bright and produces vibrant colors, the battery life is decent, and it is a lightweight laptop so that you can easily carry it around. It is built for durability and overall, it is a great laptop. The only consideration you may have to make is that it does not use SSD technology for its storage. While the storage is 750GB which is good for storing lots of files, you will get it in the form of a hard drive.
Why you should buy this?
- With an Intel Core i7 processor, a robust 16GB of RAM, a 240GB SSD and a good graphics chip, this 14-inch laptop can seamlessly handle highly challenging tasks.
- The full HD (FHD), 1,920 x 1,080p resolution screen is bright and vibrant and produces plenty of detail from a wide range of viewing angles, which makes a great laptop for a movie buff.
- ZBook 14 is intended for engineers who do a lot of work but also need portability and style.
Best Powerful Laptop For Engineering Student From Apple
Apple MacBook Air MD711LL/A
The 11.6 inch MacBook Air is a thing of beauty. For engineering students who would like to carry something sleek and classy along with them, the MacBook Air is the perfect laptop. Everything from its Intel Core i5 processor to the brilliant display, the 11.6 inch MacBook Air is a total winner when it comes to the best engineering laptop.
Why you should buy this?
- MacBook Air is completely green compliant, suitable for nature conscious buyers who want to contribute to nature.
- Packed with Intel Core i5 processor and boasts an impressive display resolution of 2560X1600 with 4 million pixels which result in a stunning display.
- For engineering students looking for something sleek and classy, the MacBook Air is an ideal laptop.
Best Laptop For Engineering Student With Great Battery Life
Asus K501UX
This Asus laptop is primarily built for gamers, but the reason why we find it particularly useful for engineering students is that it has a suitable amount of storage space, a good processor, and adequate RAM. The battery life is good so that you can work on it for most of the day without worrying about a charging outlet too often. It runs Windows 10, has a 15.6-inch brilliant screen, it features an Intel Core i7 processor with 8GB RAM and 256GB flash memory. It is designed to stay cool even after long periods of use which makes it a great engineering laptop.
Why you should buy this?
- Features Intel Core i7 processor with 8GB RAM and 256GB flash memory, which makes it a great buy for gamers.
- Designed to stay cool even after prolonged periods of utilization which makes it a wonderful laptop for engineers.
- Presents portability and performance in one package.
- It is designed with two USB 2.0 ports and another two USB 3.0 ports, which is sufficient connectivity for an average user.
Best Affordable Laptop For Engineering Student With Big Storage
Acer Aspire E5-573G
It has a 15.6-inch screen which is very vibrant and produces colors decently. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor along with 8GB RAM and 1TB HDD. It runs on Windows 10 and has a good performance because of its processor. It uses an NVIDIA GeForce 940M graphics card with dedicated 2GB RAM which helps in great graphics.
Why you should buy this?
- Power-driven by Core i5 processor along with 8GB RAM and 1TB HDD to deliver a swift performance.
- A 6-inch screen is very vibrant and produces colors decently.
- Utilizes an NVIDIA GeForce 940M graphics card with 2GB RAM which helps in great graphics for gaming.
Best Laptop For Engineering Student With Speedy Performance
HP Pavilion 17.3 inch Laptop
This laptop has a 17.3-inch display for engineering students who prefer a larger screen. The Gen 4 Intel Core i7 processor and the 8GB memory ensure an outstanding performance. The display is good and it uses HP's BrightView technology to ensure good viewing angles. The laptop uses an Intel Graphics 4400 graphics card. It runs on Windows 10 and has 1TB storage. It is a good engineering laptop with speedy performance, adequate battery life, and good storage space.
Why you should buy this?
- Large 17.3' display area is the USP and major benefit of this model so watching movies is a superb experience.
- Due to its pocket-friendly price, it is just perfect for budget-conscious buyers.
- It ticks various boxes like portability, sleek look, powerful performance as well as durability, which makes it a great machine for student use.
Best Engineering Laptop From MSI With A Sturdy Look
MSI GL62 6QF-893
This notebook is a brilliant machine. It is durable and resilient and it has a strong CPU architecture along with a great performance. It packs a Core i7 processor with 8 GB RAM and 1TB hard drive storage. It is a fast machine with high precision and responsiveness. Working on this laptop is a smooth experience because that saves a lot of time and helps you be more efficient.
Why you should buy this?
- Perfect choice for engineering students due to its brilliant performance to affordability ratio
- Equipped with Nahimic audio technology to amplify your extensive gaming experience.
- Intel i7-6700HQused on the GL62 6QF-893 which is a very common processor present in top-notch gaming laptops and has a base frequency of 2.6 GHz.
Best Engineering Laptop With Multitasking Features
Toshiba Satellite C55
Toshiba's C55 is a great laptop that promises nothing less than the buttery smooth performance. This 15.6-inch laptop draws its power from an Intel Core i7 processor with 8 GB RAM. It has a 1 TB Hard drive space. It features an HD screen and runs on Windows 10. The average battery life is about 6 hours which is good for the average student. The laptop is reliable and it shows great performance when you multitask. As an engineer, you may end up multitasking very often. In times like those, this laptop will prove to be great for the money paid.
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Why you should buy this?
- The laptop is consistent and shows excellent performance while multitasking, which makes it a great choice for engineers.
- The standard battery lifeis about 6 hours which is ideal for students.
FAQs
What features are essential in laptops for engineering students in 2021?
The laptop should have at least 7 hours of battery life and preferably have a 15-inch display. Most students should also opt for a laptop with a built-in AMD graphics card or Nvidia graphics card to support graphically intensive processes like CAD.
Can I install Windows 10 64-bit or Linux if required?
Some laptops do come pre-installed with Windows 10 64-bit edition but if they are Home edition, you can choose to upgrade it separately. Linux is open-source software and should be easy to install if you follow the guide available online.
How do I replace the battery if it fails?
Based on whether you have purchased your laptop from Dell, HP, Lenovo or other brands, you should contact their support center to get officially authenticated products.
Can I install all my engineering software programs on these laptops?
The answer is yes and no! No one can guarantee that every software would work because many programs require multi-cores, increased RAM and specific OS requirements in order to run efficiently. Compare your laptop specs with the software's recommended requirements to find out.
Can I connect Bluetooth mice, keyboard and drawing pad for engineering studies?
Yes. Most modern-day laptops support Bluetooth connectivity. Alternatively, you can also use the Wi-Fi dongle provided with wireless mice to connect. Drawing pads usually work better on the USB port.
How do I connect my laptop to an external display?
You can use the VGA port to connect to an external display but an HDMI port is found in newer models and it should allow you to push your display limit to 25-inch or 27-inch large monitors.
Are software used in engineering courses offered for free with any laptop?
In most cases, you will not find them bundled unless it is a specific offer for students. You should purchase them separately and install them to start using those for your studies.
Best Macbook For Software Engineering 2019
Conclusion
We did our research on the best laptop for college engineering students 2016 you can buy in 2019. We have added laptops from different price ranges and ensured that each one offers good performance and provides a decent battery life so that you can enjoy working on the laptop even when you use heavyweight programs. We have also kept durability in mind while putting our list together because students would want something that is durable enough to last them through their college without having to take them to the store for repair too often.
See Also: Best laptops under $300 of 2019
If you're looking for CAD software for Mac, you're not without options. We've found some standout Mac and cloud-based CAD platforms for you.
You're likely to hit a wall if you're searching for computer-aided design (CAD) software designed for Mac. There are plenty of CAD software options for Windows—you'll see many of them in our list of the top AutoCAD alternatives—but only a handful offer support for Mac.
And, if you think you'll bypass the issue by using a cloud-based CAD tool, you'll quickly find that CAD vendors haven't embraced the cloud as much as other types of software vendors have, so the offerings are still largely on-premise. According to Gartner's Hype Cycle for IT Evolution (full content available to Gartner clients), cloud-native CAD applications still have five to 10 years before they reach mainstream adoption.
But fear not, Mac users. We've done some digging and have put together this list of the top-rated CAD software for Mac. Read more about our methodology at the bottom of this article.
5 Best CAD Software for Mac (presented alphabetically)
Jump to:
CorelCAD
FreeCAD
Fusion 360
LibreCAD
Onshape
1. CorelCAD
CorelCAD offers 2D drafting and 3D design capabilities, such as the drawing constraints feature for creating different geometric shapes faster and the push and pull feature for 3D direct modeling.
3D modeling in CorelCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analyses of user reviews on Capterra, here's an overview of the areas of CorelCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- The short learning curve: Users mention that the tool is easy to use and beginners don't have to spend a lot of time learning it.
- Compatibility with multiple file types: Users like the fact that the tool is compatible with DWG, PDF, ACIS, DXF, STL, CDR, and other file formats.
What users think could be improved:
- Software reliability issues: Some users mention that the software tends to crash at times.
- Better dimension functionality: Some users would like a better dimensioning feature for more accurate drawings of angles and proportions.
Who can use CorelCAD
CorelCAD can be used by construction businesses for collaborative editing on multiple devices. It offers native iOS applications, which makes it easy for field crews to add annotations in graphics and share files using their iPhones and iPads. Additionally, the tool allows team members to leave recorded messages and instructions for colleagues embedded in the graphics using a voice note tool.
2. FreeCAD
FreeCAD is an open source CAD tool that works on Mac as well as Windows and Linux. It reads many common file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, and DAE.
It offers different modules, including a drawing sheets module that converts 3D models into 2D views, a rendering module that can export 3D objects, and an architecture module for a BIM-like workflow.
3D model of a building in FreeCAD (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here's an overview of the areas of FreeCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Feature-richness for a free tool: Users mention that, although it's free, the tool comes with a full set of features.
- Reliability: Users mention that the tool does not demand a lot of CPU power and works well on devices with low RAM.
What users think could be improved:
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that the tool is not the most user-friendly solution and can be difficult for beginners to learn.
- Dependent on community for updates: Users mention that modules ignored by the community tend to become outdated quickly.
Who can use FreeCAD
FreeCAD appears to be best for hobbyists and home users. It's also good for users who don't have a high budget for software but still want to tinker with CAD modeling.
FreeCAD could also be a good choice for businesses on a budget looking for a free and open-source option.
3. Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is a CAD tool from Autodesk with design functionalities such as sketching and 3D modeling. It also supports project management with features such as task management, document management, and collaborative image editing.
Document management in Fusion 360 (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here's an overview of the areas of Fusion 360 they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Comprehensive design features: User mention that the tool offers all the functionalities necessary for 2D and 3D designing.
- Availability of training resources: Users like the fact that the tool comes with ample documentation and tutorials.
What users think could be improved:
- System crashes: Users mention that the tool tends to crash, especially when designing and rendering large files.
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that it can take a lot of time to learn the advanced functionalities of the tool.
Who can use Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is part of the Autodesk ecosystem designed for the AEC industry. This makes the tool suitable for construction businesses that are already using, or intend to use, other Autodesk solutions. Using a software vendor that offers multiple solutions will especially benefit larger businesses that invariably need software that can scale with their growing requirements.
4. LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an open source CAD tool that supports Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The tool comes with 2D drawing features such as a snap tool, dimensioning, and annotations. It also supports multiple file imports and exports.
2D drawing in LibreCAD (Source)
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Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here's an overview of the areas of LibreCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Ease of use: Users mention that the tool offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
- Lots of tutorials: Users like the fact that there are ample video tutorials that help them get started with the tool.
What users think could be improved:
- Software speed: Users mention that the software tends to lag, especially when trying to print designs.
- Add support for 3D design: Users would like to see functionalities for creating 3D designs.
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that the tool is not the most user-friendly solution and can be difficult for beginners to learn.
- Dependent on community for updates: Users mention that modules ignored by the community tend to become outdated quickly.
Who can use FreeCAD
FreeCAD appears to be best for hobbyists and home users. It's also good for users who don't have a high budget for software but still want to tinker with CAD modeling.
FreeCAD could also be a good choice for businesses on a budget looking for a free and open-source option.
3. Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is a CAD tool from Autodesk with design functionalities such as sketching and 3D modeling. It also supports project management with features such as task management, document management, and collaborative image editing.
Document management in Fusion 360 (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here's an overview of the areas of Fusion 360 they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Comprehensive design features: User mention that the tool offers all the functionalities necessary for 2D and 3D designing.
- Availability of training resources: Users like the fact that the tool comes with ample documentation and tutorials.
What users think could be improved:
- System crashes: Users mention that the tool tends to crash, especially when designing and rendering large files.
- Steep learning curve: Users mention that it can take a lot of time to learn the advanced functionalities of the tool.
Who can use Fusion 360
Fusion 360 is part of the Autodesk ecosystem designed for the AEC industry. This makes the tool suitable for construction businesses that are already using, or intend to use, other Autodesk solutions. Using a software vendor that offers multiple solutions will especially benefit larger businesses that invariably need software that can scale with their growing requirements.
4. LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an open source CAD tool that supports Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The tool comes with 2D drawing features such as a snap tool, dimensioning, and annotations. It also supports multiple file imports and exports.
2D drawing in LibreCAD (Source)
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Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here's an overview of the areas of LibreCAD they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Ease of use: Users mention that the tool offers an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
- Lots of tutorials: Users like the fact that there are ample video tutorials that help them get started with the tool.
What users think could be improved:
- Software speed: Users mention that the software tends to lag, especially when trying to print designs.
- Add support for 3D design: Users would like to see functionalities for creating 3D designs.
Who can use LibreCAD
LibreCAD is an exclusively 2D CAD tool for drawing and designing blueprints of buildings, layouts of parks, and the like. As a free tool, the solution can be used by small and midsize businesses across different industries, including manufacturing, engineering, architecture, and construction.
5. Onshape
Onshape is a cloud-only CAD solution that comes with features such as document management with version control, collaborative design creation/editing capabilities, and reporting dashboards to understand project status.
Importing documents in Onshape (Source)
Common user feedback trends
Based on analysis of user reviews on Capterra, here's an overview of the areas of Onshape they like best, as well as those they feel could use improvement.
What users like:
- Document version control: Users like the document management features of the tool, such as version history.
- Intuitive interface: Users mention that the tool comes with an intuitive interface for easy image editing.
What users think could be improved:
- Performance issues: Some users mention that the tool does not function well on non-Chrome browsers and has file loading issues.
- Lack of features: Users mention that the tool should improve certain features such as 2D drawing and 3D surfacing.
Who can use Onshape
As a fully-cloud based tool, Onshape is ideal for businesses that need to manage design documents collaboratively with multiple stakeholders. The tool's collaboration functionalities include document sharing, document editing, comments, and file downloads in multiple CAD formats, such as Parasolid, ACIS, STEP, and IGES.
Next steps
This report offers a mix of Mac CAD solutions—from free tools that can help you with basic 2D drawing to advanced solutions offering extensive 3D modeling functionalities.
Best Macbook For Software Engineering Students
If these tools don't meet your needs, expand your search and check out more options. To help you, we've created a CAD software comparison page where you can explore products using different filters, such as features offered and pricing options.
If you're looking to understand the CAD software market better, we also recommend that you read the articles listed below: |
Methodology
Best Macbook For Software Engineering
How to block camera on macbook pro. To be shortlisted, products had to fulfill the following criteria:
- Products had to be compatible with Mac and offer core CAD software capabilities, such as:
- 2D drawing or 3D modeling features
- Collaborative editing of drawings
- Products needed a minimum of 20 user reviews on Capterra (published in the last two years).
- Products had to have a high overall rating (an average of at least 4 out of 5 on Capterra).
Note: The content in this piece that provides opinions and points of view expressed by users. It does not represent the views of Capterra.
Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.