I’ve been researching engineering laptops for weeks now, and honestly, I’m starting to question whether all the high-end specs are really necessary for students like me. Every “best of” list I’ve read recommends machines with maxed-out CPUs, RTX graphics cards, and 32GB RAM—as if we’re all building rockets on the side. I understand that CAD software and simulation tools can be demanding, but how many of us are regularly maxing out our hardware?
Would a well-optimized $1,000–$1,200 laptop with a decent GPU and 16GB RAM really fall short for most undergrad use? And how much are we paying for future-proofing vs. actual daily performance gains? I’d rather get a reliable system that doesn’t overheat, has good battery life, and won’t lag during moderate multitasking. So, to anyone who’s already deep into their engineering program or working in the field—what’s your take? Did your premium laptop really pay off, or could you have gotten by with a midrange model?
High-end "gaming" laptops often trade battery life and portability for raw processing power, which can be a major inconvenience for students who frequently travel between classes, the library, and home.