Laptop for an ME undergraduate/graduate student

  • Thread starter Thread starter dsaun777
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Laptop Student
AI Thread Summary
For mechanical engineering students seeking laptops that can efficiently run CAD, Matlab, and other engineering software, affordability is a key consideration. A budget around $1,000 is common, but it's important to recognize that CAD and CFD programs are resource-intensive, requiring significant memory and processing power. While Matlab can run on less expensive machines, CAD typically benefits from larger screens for effective use. Using CAD on a laptop is often discouraged due to screen size limitations, which can hinder productivity. A recommendation is to invest in a laptop with HDMI capability to connect to a larger external monitor, ideally at least 27 inches, to enhance usability. Upgrading older laptops, such as the Dell Latitude 3470, with additional RAM and SSD can provide a cost-effective solution while maintaining performance. Overall, while it may be tempting to purchase a laptop immediately, waiting for better options as technology advances could be beneficial. Prioritizing RAM over CPU speed is also advised for running engineering applications effectively.
dsaun777
Messages
296
Reaction score
39
What are some of the best laptops for mechanical engineering students that are capable of running all the programs for engineering? Keep affordability in mind if possible. :smile:
 
Last edited:
Computer science news on Phys.org
Wrichik Basu said:
What is your budget?
1000 give or take a couple hundred, I was considering a 2 in 1 but not sure if they have what is required.
 
what do you need to run? CAD is a memory hog, and so is CFD, but Matlab can be run on a very inexpensive machine. My interns ran CATIA 3-Dx all summner on a reasonably inexpensive laptop. I have a work-station type laptop which runs everything and was about triple your budget.
 
Dr Transport said:
what do you need to run? CAD is a memory hog, and so is CFD, but Matlab can be run on a very inexpensive machine. My interns ran CATIA 3-Dx all summner on a reasonably inexpensive laptop. I have a work-station type laptop which runs everything and was about triple your budget.
I am looking to run CAD and Matlab for now. What laptops do your interns use?
 
Why in heaven would you want to run CAD on a laptop?
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Why in heaven would you want to run CAD on a laptop?
What do you suggest?
 
A big screen. You want a lot of information on a screen to do CAD.
Have you ever done CAD? On a laptop?
 
  • Like
Likes russ_watters
Vanadium 50 said:
A big screen. You want a lot of information on a screen to do CAD.
Have you ever done CAD? On a laptop?
No I've never done CAD. As I am a student, that's why I'm asking questions here thanks!
 
  • #10
You do not want to be drawing on a tiny little screen.

Givem that, I would not buy a computer now, since you have no experience with what you will be running. Wait a bit. Computers will be faster and cheaper then anyway.
 
  • #11
Vanadium 50 said:
You do not want to be drawing on a tiny little screen.

Givem that, I would not buy a computer now, since you have no experience with what you will be running. Wait a bit. Computers will be faster and cheaper then anyway.
Wait until when? I'm taking an intro into CAD this semester and because of Covid I am working at home.
 
  • #12
Do whatever you want.

I find it difficult to impossible to use CAD on a laptop. But do whatever you want.
 
  • #13
Vanadium 50 said:
Do whatever you want.

I find it difficult to impossible to use CAD on a laptop. But do whatever you want.
That's brilliant. Is being pretentious and not helpful a prerequisite for being an advisor on this site or is that just a coincidence?
 
  • #14
Wrichik Basu said:
What is your budget?
dsaun777 said:
1000 give or take a couple hundred, ...
The first thing to learn about engineering is that numbers are meaningless without units.
 
  • Like
Likes russ_watters and Vanadium 50
  • #15
Baluncore said:
The first thing to learn about engineering is that numbers are meaningless without units.
cool.
 
  • #16
dsaun777 said:
cool.
1100 yen will not buy much of a computer, or did you mean baht, rupee or yuan.
 
  • #17
dsaun777 said:
What are some of the best laptops for mechanical engineering students that are capable of running all the programs for engineering? Keep affordability in mind if possible. :smile:
Vanadium 50 said:
You do not want to be drawing on a tiny little screen.
Vanadium 50 said:
I find it difficult to impossible to use CAD on a laptop. But do whatever you want.
I agree with @Vanadium 50 -- you need to include the cost of a very large monitor in your plans (but luckily for you they are not that expensive anymore).
dsaun777 said:
That's brilliant. Is being pretentious and not helpful a prerequisite for being an advisor on this site or is that just a coincidence?
That's uncalled for, IMO. You need a big screen for CAD. You will be completely ineffective trying to run CAD packages on even a large laptop screen (I'm using a large HP laptop right now, and there is no way I could use it for schematic capture, PCB Layout, FEA, etc.).

Please reset your attitude. Thank you.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes russ_watters and Vanadium 50
  • #19
If you're up for a little tinkering and not in a breakneck hurry, you can buy a Dell Latitude 3470 on eBay used for $200 to $300 and upgrade its RAM to 16Gb (crucial.com) and also order a 1Tb SSD from crucial.com and swap it in for the old hard drive. I just did this to my older laptop, and it's like new again. That would all cost $500, maybe $600. You'd also need to get a fan platform to set it on, since it's older--you want to keep it cool. Then, you'd have money to buy an external monitor--two screens double my productivity. Most laptops from 4 years ago I wouldn't bother to refurbish, but the 3470 is really nice. I've found RAM to be more important that CPU in running applications. Admittedly, I have not run CAD on this, but I think it would work.
 
  • Like
Likes dsaun777
  • #20
On the external monitor subject. Not only size, but resolution is also quite important. No point in a 27in. screen with 1280x1024 resolution unless you are sitting across the room.

ALthough I haven't done any CAD is several years, I've found just over 100dpi (dots-per-inch) to be just acceptable. My current monitor for mostly text and some graphics, is 23inch at 104dpi, that's 2048x1152 pixels. Sitting with my eye socket 24 inches away, I can scan the screen rather easily with very little head movement, of course looking at details requires head twisting.

I'm likely several decades older than you are, so your eyes may be able to take advantage of a greater dpi... if you can find and afford them! Also make sure the computer can handle the higher resolution.

Remember that your visual system is a parallel input channel, you don't want to be constantly scrolling trying to get 'the big picture' of your project.

Cheers,
Tom
 
  • Like
Likes dsaun777, berkeman and jedishrfu

Similar threads

Laptop suggestions for a Physics Student
Replies
7
Views
4K
What specs should I look for in a laptop
Replies
7
Views
2K
Update on the laptop/notebook market
Replies
2
Views
1K
What are the best laptops for engineering students on a budget?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Good affordable laptop for college student?
Replies
16
Views
8K
Best laptop for programmers/engineering students
Replies
13
Views
37K
New laptop recommendations for an ME undergrad
Replies
6
Views
2K
Mac vs PC: Which is Better for a PhD Student?
Replies
14
Views
8K
Does Fluid Spilled into Electronic Device = Dangerous to Use?
Replies
19
Views
3K
What are the top budget-friendly student laptops for under 800 euros in France?
Replies
10
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top