What are the best laptops for engineering students on a budget?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the best laptops for mechanical engineering students on a budget of around $1,000. Participants emphasize the necessity of Windows compatibility for engineering software, particularly SolidWorks and MATLAB. While Mac laptops are favored for their design, they require additional steps to run essential engineering applications effectively. The consensus suggests that students should prioritize Windows-based laptops for seamless software functionality.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of engineering software requirements, specifically SolidWorks and MATLAB.
  • Familiarity with operating systems, particularly Windows and macOS.
  • Knowledge of laptop specifications relevant to engineering tasks, such as CPU and RAM.
  • Awareness of budget constraints in purchasing technology for educational purposes.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Windows laptops under $1,000 suitable for running SolidWorks and MATLAB.
  • Explore dual-booting options for running Windows on Mac laptops.
  • Investigate open-source alternatives to MATLAB for numerical computations.
  • Learn about the hardware requirements for optimal performance of engineering software.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for mechanical engineering students, prospective laptop buyers, and anyone seeking budget-friendly solutions for running engineering software effectively.

EternusVia
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Hi all,

What laptop would you recommend for a mechanical engineering student? I really like Mac but I hear that engineering software is almost all Windows.

Are there any good engineering laptops for around $1,000 that you could recommend?
 
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What kinds of engineering software are you consdering?

I know Matlab works on mac quite well and even the open source versions work too.
 
jedishrfu said:
What kinds of engineering software are you consdering?

I know Matlab works on mac quite well and even the open source versions work too.
To be honest I don't have a comprehensive list. I know I'll be using Solidworks, at least. This will be my first year coming up.
 

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