Hey everyone! I'm about to start university this fall as an engineering major, and my current laptop is on its last legs. I'm seeking recommendations for a new one with a budget of up to $2000. I'd prefer not to get a Mac since I'm not familiar with MacOS, and I really need something with good battery life. My school has specified that I need at least an Intel i7/i9 or an AMD 7/9 processor and a minimum of 16GB of RAM. Any suggestions?
5 Answers
Newer laptops have significantly improved battery life, so you should definitely look for the latest models. The Asus Vivobook Ultra 9 looks promising with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD—it's a great choice for college. Plus, OLED screens are so much easier on the eyes for long sessions! You can also get an extended warranty for added peace of mind.
You might want to look for laptops with hybrid graphics options; they can switch between integrated and dedicated graphics. This could help with battery life when you're not doing intensive tasks. And don’t go for the lowest RAM either—32GB is a solid baseline these days, especially for engineering.
If you're studying engineering, Macs might not be the best choice since they don’t support a lot of engineering software. Consider getting a gaming laptop with a discrete GPU instead. Aim for models with a minimum of an Nvidia 4050 or 4060 graphics card, at least 16GB of RAM, and a decent SSD. Some people recommend the Zephyrus 14 for a good balance of power and portability.
That Zephyrus sounds interesting! I’ll look into that, but I’ve been having trouble finding a good option with both 32GB of RAM and a 4050/4060. Thanks for the suggestion!
From my experience, 16GB of RAM feels a bit outdated for today's software needs. If you can, aim for 32GB. Pair it with a mid-range CPU and a gaming-compatible graphics card for the best performance. The key is finding a balance that gives you great battery life without sacrificing processing power.
Check if your engineering college has a list of recommended laptop specs! That could help narrow down your choices. They might suggest the latest Intel or AMD processors with at least 16GB of RAM, which seems to be the standard now.
Good point! I just added that requirement to my post. Thanks for the reminder!
That sounds like a solid option! I appreciate the tip on the warranty, too.