Help Finding a Laptop for an Engineering Student - Budget $1500

Lsennsei on 15/05/2018 - 21:40

Hey guys,
With the click frenzy sale going on I thought I should snag a laptop that I could use for my engineering course. However, as I'm not too well versed with computers (they're literal magic to me) I need one of you geniuses to please help me out here. Now I'm not really into the whole gaming scene, so I only expect to be using it for things like browsing, microsoft suite and CAD programs. Hopefully there's something in my budget range that would be of use to me.

I saw that dell has a sale on the inspiron 13 7000 from $2299 to $1379 which from the original price tag I'm guessing is a good laptop? lol. As I said before, I really am clueless with laptops!

What would you guys recommend? Cheers! :)

Computing

Comments

  • gmail92 on 15/05/2018 - 22:13
    +2

    "Hey guys,

    With the new intake of girls in my engineering course, I was thinking I should snag one. However, I'm not too good with girls (they're literal magic to me). I need one of you smoothtalkers to please help me out here. Now I'm not really into the whole dating scene, so I only expect to be doing things like holding hands, romantic walks on the beach, and a little bit of smooching. "

    You're a student. You're meant to be not shit at research. DIY.

    gmail92 on 15/05/2018 - 22:13 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
  • FireRunner on 15/05/2018 - 22:26
    +3

    I'm an engineering student and from the courses, you don't need a super-computer.
    I think the most demanding software was Ansys. Just have a look around. Based on what you're looking to run, I would say look for a minimum Full HD screen (1920x1080), 8gb of ram, an i5 CPU, and definitely an SSD.
    Take into account the weight of the laptop, I can carry this around and can't say its ideal.

    Also take a course on how computers work. The one I've done has been my favorite Uni course. Its great seeing how everything works building up from the transistor and logic gates.

    • trustnoone on 15/05/2018 - 23:59
      +1

      Oh may gawd I haven't heard of Ansys in forever, we were using it to simulate fluids during my final year, and I remember one design I had took 5 days on my laptop. I used to stick my laptop on a massive cooler because it was during summer and my laptop would heat up so bad (it was one of those HP laptops that just heat up though).

      Anyways just wanted to say fond memories haha, but as you say thats honestly the only demanding software I've ever used and it definitely wasn't a typical project. Compared to that, agreed, at least an i5 with 8GB and SSD!

      And personally super agree with weight, I had an old Asus ROG that weighed about 4kg, and while amazing with 17 inch screen and even bluray burner, ended up not really being useful as a laptop or for taking to uni for studying.

  • Eeples on 15/05/2018 - 23:07
    +5

    Engineering student who is clueless with computers.

    Is this a movie pitch?

    • FIVEDOLLAR on 15/05/2018 - 23:16
      +1

      Just because I have a PHD in fluid dynamics, doesn't mean I can fix your toilet.

      • Eeples on 18/05/2018 - 09:32
        +1

        Sure, but I am sure a PHD in fluid dynamics person would not think that a toilet flushes by 'magic'.

    • scrimshaw on 16/05/2018 - 11:33

      Engineering is very broad and there are many areas of engineering that don't even touch on the subject of electronics or computing.

  • icejester on 15/05/2018 - 23:08
    +2

    Dell XPS 15 or 13 on special

    • ACTGBilly on 16/05/2018 - 05:13

      agree. Buy from current eBay tech sale "PROTOTYPE". 15 if screen size is most important. 13 if portability is most important.

  • Richardc on 16/05/2018 - 05:37

    I think the only downside is the 38 WHr battery.

  • Taita on 16/05/2018 - 11:37

    1500 is a good budget to get a Dell latitude laptop from their outlet with ssd 8gb ram,decent battery and FHD screen.

  • Dusto on 18/05/2018 - 12:47

    Anyone got any links to a good dell deal?

  • XxDonniexX on 19/05/2018 - 15:35

    If you can squeeze out an extra 179 dollars, you can buy the XPS 15 for $1679 which is a very good deal.
    Here is the link https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Dell-XPS-15-7th-Gen-i7-7700HQ-Qu…

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