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Top 5 HP Laptops for Engineering Students
Daniel Horowitz
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December 19, 2022
When you’re choosing a laptop to accompany your engineering education, you need to consider specifications that go beyond what you’d need if you were using it for entertainment or lighter uses. Engineering often requires PCs to have some extra computing power and the ability to quickly jump from one program to another.
There are a few specs that are absolutely necessary when picking the device you need. Some are included in most modern laptops, while others can only be found in more specialized options.
What specs should my engineering laptop have?
Before you purchase your laptop, it’s important to know and understand the specs you need to keep your engineering programs and work running smoothly.
At a minimum, your laptop should have:
- 500GB hard drive or more (SSD is recommended)
- An Intel® i5 CPU or higher (such as i7)
- A quality graphics card
- A high screen resolution (1600 x 900 or higher is recommended)
- 8GB of RAM
With these basics in hand, you’re on the way to finding a laptop that is easy to use and gets the job done.
HP laptops for engineering students
Over the years, HP® has been a quality choice for engineering professionals and students alike.
With consistently high performance, these PCs are reliable and meet the industry standard. Here are some laptops fit for the job and the demands an engineer can put them through.
1. HP ENVY Laptop
As an engineer, it’s likely that you will be spending a lot of time staring at a screen. To avoid eye strain, a larger screen can offer some relief and make it easier to multi-task a number of running programs.
The HP ENVY family covers all the bases with its range of available screen sizes, including the HP ENVY 13-inch model and the HP ENVY 17-inch model, so you can choose what works best for you and what you are willing to carry in your backpack to class.
It also has an Intel Core™ processor built for handling more complex work and 16GB of RAM, which is perfect for handling any homework you need to complete.
Additional features:
- NVIDIA® graphics card
- 14 hours of battery life
- 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) display
2. HP Spectre x360 15t Convertible Laptop
If you’re looking for quality graphics, then the HP Spectre x360 15t laptop more than delivers. It includes the NVIDIA GeForce® MX150 graphics card, which provides those detailed visuals you crave.
It’s designed to work for a variety of purposes, including gaming, which means it has the speed and power to easily switch from one program to another. The HP Spectre x360 also has a 15.6-inch display with touch screen capabilities if you want to get hands-on with your notes.
This laptop is customizable, too, so you can pick and choose the specifications for you, including whether you want 8GB or 16GB of DDR4 RAM.
Additional features:
- Intel Core i7 processor
- Microsoft Office Home and Student
- Just 4.59 lbs
3. HP OMEN 15t Gaming Laptop
Many engineering students are avid gamers (and may be looking to that as a future career) so it can be helpful to have a gaming laptop for both work and play.
While it’s primarily known as a gaming laptop, the HP OMEN 15t has features that you can find valuable as a student. One of these specs includes the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card, which works well with its high-quality resolution.
Your computer will operate at a high-performance rate, so it’s important to keep its temperature in check. The HP OMEN 15t laptop has that covered, though, with an advanced cooling system to make sure your system will run when you’re using a number of applications.
- Fast refresh rate for gaming and programming
- Intel Core i7 processor
- HDMI 2.0 cable for connecting external monitors
- Network booster for better WiFi connectivity
4. HP Pavilion x360 Convertible Laptop
At first, this computer may not look like it was designed for high performance given its more compact appearance and incredibly thin design. However, the HP Pavilion x360 laptop is a surprisingly capable machine thanks in part to the 8th Generation Intel Core i5 processor that’s included.
For students taking a break from studies, it works well for note-taking, streaming, and video chatting with family. The HP Pavilion family also offers plenty of memory to keep programs running smoothly without a hitch. Another plus is the long battery life, which can be useful for a busy class schedule. It also features a 14-inch screen that’s perfect for even the longest days.
Additional features:
- Super-portable, thin design at just 3.72 lbs
- 1TB HDD storage
- 8GB DDR4 memory capacity
5. HP ZBook 15 G3 Mobile Workstation
The HP ZBook 15 G3 laptop workstation has been designed for functionality and high memory storage, which makes it a great laptop to take from the classroom to the workplace. With your choice of Intel Core or Xeon® processor, it is built to take on complicated engineering and make it look great on the 15.6-inch 4K display.
Students can also choose whether they would like to have a more traditional monitor, or a touch display for taking notes.
One of the best features this HP ZBook offers is plenty of space with up to 64GB memory and 1TB of SSD storage, though the price will increase with specific upgrades. Not only does this help the PC perform faster, but it also means that you can avoid the need to buy a new device for years.
Additional features:
- Windows 10 Pro 64
- NVIDIA Quadro® M1000M graphics
- Two Thunderbolt™ ports
Summary
As an engineering student, it is likely you will use your computer for almost everything. It’s important to have a PC that you can rely on and that can easily make the transition from homework to watching your favorite shows and movies. This means you’ll need a computer that has high performance but is simple and effective to use, like the options outlined above from HP®.
Related articles:
- 5 Best Workstations for Architecture and Engineering from HP
- The Differences Between a Mobile Workstation and a Laptop
About the Author: Daniel Horowitz is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Daniel is a New York-based author and has written for publications such as USA Today, Digital Trends, Unwinnable Magazine, and many other media outlets.
