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Laptop recommendations for mechanical engineering

Starting an MEng in mech eng this September (hopefully), was wondering what kind of laptop is recommended for it? Needs to be able to run all the softwares I need etc.. I don’t really care how it looks (though would be nice if it’s not ugly), and as long as it doesn’t weigh a ton and doesn’t break the bank. I already have an iPad for notes for college which I love btw so note taking isn’t an issue.

Ps I suck with laptop terminology so don’t use any fancy acronyms in explanations without explaining what they are pls 🙏 thanks!

Reply 1

TNGFR

Original post by par4bolica

Starting an MEng in mech eng this September (hopefully), was wondering what kind of laptop is recommended for it? Needs to be able to run all the softwares I need etc.. I don’t really care how it looks (though would be nice if it’s not ugly), and as long as it doesn’t weigh a ton and doesn’t break the bank. I already have an iPad for notes for college which I love btw so note taking isn’t an issue.
Ps I suck with laptop terminology so don’t use any fancy acronyms in explanations without explaining what they are pls 🙏 thanks!

Not breaking the bank will mean different things to different people, do you have a budget in mind?

Reply 2

par4bolica

Original post by TNGFR

Not breaking the bank will mean different things to different people, do you have a budget in mind?

Based on prices I’ve seen I think maybe ~£1,250 is my ceiling (ish)

Reply 3

Dunnig Kruger

Get a fully working HP 840 G8 or an 845 G7 or G8. For under £250 used from ebay.

If you want something to do complex solid modelling on, get a desktop PC. Either used, or self built with a combination of new and used parts. £1000 will get you a snazzy desktop.
If you have easy access to CAD workstations at your uni, you won't have to bother with buying a desktop PC.

And, are you sure you want to start a M Eng? Why not start working in a graduate engineering job instead? Or even better, start your own company.

Reply 4

par4bolica

Original post by Dunnig Kruger

Get a fully working HP 840 G8 or an 845 G7 or G8. For under £250 used from ebay.
If you want something to do complex solid modelling on, get a desktop PC. Either used, or self built with a combination of new and used parts. £1000 will get you a snazzy desktop.
If you have easy access to CAD workstations at your uni, you won't have to bother with buying a desktop PC.
And, are you sure you want to start a M Eng? Why not start working in a graduate engineering job instead? Or even better, start your own company.

Thanks for the rec! And about the MEng, it’s just a faster way to fastrack myself into being a chartered engineer (better employability, higher earning potential, able to take on higher roles in workplaces..). I’ve applied to do a year in industry in my third year of uni and the fifth will be my MEng. Going directly from real-world applications to using that in my studies is ideal for me whilst garnering CEng status