What is the best computer for engineering students in college?

As I'm planning to start an engineering program soon, I'm shopping for a laptop or pc that can handle engineering software. What are the best computers or laptops that other college engineering students would recommend?

Choosing the right computer as an engineering student depends on a number of factors, including your program's software requirements, your budget, and personal preference. That said, I can provide some general tips on the features to prioritize:

1. Processor: Aim for a high-performance processor, like an Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 7. A faster processor can handle complex computations more quickly, which is valuable for engineering software.

2. RAM: Software like AutoCAD and SolidWorks require considerable memory. Consider a computer with at least 16GB of RAM.

3. Storage: SSD (Solid State Drive) storage is far superior to HDD in terms of speed and durability. Aim for at least 256GB, though 512GB or even 1TB may be necessary if you'll be dealing with large project files.

4. Graphics Card: Some engineering software rely heavily on the GPU. A dedicated graphics card like those from NVIDIA or AMD can make a significant difference in rendering times.

5. Portability: If you plan to take your computer to classes or labs, a laptop might be a better fit than a desktop. But, keep in mind that performance laptops can be heavy.

Now, based on these guidelines, recommended brands often include Dell (particularly their XPS or Precision series), HP (Spectre or Envy series), and for Mac users, the MacBook Pro has excellent credentials, although not all engineering software is compatible with MacOS. Remember to check your course requirements and consider using student discounts offered by many brands. Consider visiting your college's IT department as well, they might have specific recommendations based on the software you'll be using.