<p>I am currently looking for a laptop for college next year as I will be studying electrical engineering. I am looking for a 13 to 14 inch screen, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, i7 Intel Haswell processor. I would like for the laptop itself to be under $1800 as I will be buying Microsoft Office and Damage Protection. Thanks </p>
<p>You could get a MacBook Air for those specs and less than $1800. It’s lightweight and lasts all day. </p>
<p>How well could the MacBook Air handle engineering programs? I’ve read some reviews that the Air’s i7 lacks power compared to other i7s</p>
<p>Just about every one of my engineering professors has advised to NOT get a mac for engineering school.</p>
<p>You could honestly get 3 computers for that amount that could handle everything you need for engineering school. I’ve had the same computer for the last 4 years and its been running everything from MATLAB to SolidWorks to every other memory burning thing it could handle and I got it for like $400 on black friday. Never had one problem with it not doing what I needed it to.</p>
<p>None of my professors have discouraged their students from getting a Mac. My CAD professor runs his works on iOS. He uses windows, as well; but, he has not turned away a student from a Mac. He has not encouraged one over the other, but rather encourages a Mac user to have proficiency in Windows given a Mac is not accessible. </p>
<p>The price for Macs aren’t pretty, but OP did say their budget is in near $2,000. A Mac falls within the range. </p>
<p>Personally, I have an Air with upgrades specs along with a Windows computer that I do not use other than for past works before I got my current computer. In the future I might get another Windows to replace my older Windows laptop for non-school related works; but for my school needs, my Air is doing fine for me. </p>
<p>The school already said software is available for both operating systems. I was looking at the dell xps 13. Anyone have experiences with the newest model with i7?</p>
<p>Wait til you know which school you are intending. The Engineering website will likely have minimum requirements. Probably almost any new laptop will fit the bill, but good to check. Typically engineering students steer away from Mac. Another reason to wait - there may be deals available from the school. </p>
<p>We opted to buy DS a brand that had service options on campus as well as the Best Buy 2 miles away from campus. </p>
<p>colorado_mom has the best advice here. Wait from some direction from the school. As a specific example, NCSU publishes a standard that is very basic. The direction last year to buy a new computer with an “i” processor. Did not matter which one. Bought DS a $499 special with an i5 from Dell. Has worked fine. This works because the students have access to a virtual computer lab where they can remote into some high power machines for real number crunching.</p>
<p>Or, looking at it from another direction - at the rate the technology moves, I would bet you can buy a $500 laptop as a freshman and replace it in two years for another $500. The new $500 machine would likely outperform a $2000 machine bought today.</p>
<p>I already know where I’m going and the requirements my school has. The director of EE told me all programs were compatible with Mac and Windows. The school recommends Mac and Dell products because that’s what it sells. The school only gives a $100 discount so I will be shopping else where for my computer.</p>
<p>So what do you want exactly? For us to be a best buy salesman for you? You already know your tech specs and your budget. The general consensus from the group is A) you have a large enough budget to get whatever you want, B) don’t blow all your money on something which is so quick to become obsolete. Other than that I am sure you know how to check out amazon warehouse deals or whatever for a good buy on a comp like the rest of us.</p>
<p>I’m trying to get responses from people who have experience with a laptop that fits my criteria. I’ve read reviews and searched the web, but some laptops don’t have reviews or testing reviews on YouTube. Want to hear what other people have tried.</p>
<p>Your first big decision is Mac vs Windows. A few years back, Mac was so unusual in Engineering depts that it seemed not worth the trouble (and expense) to do Mac and be inconsistent with classmates. (Often setup issues are solved together). Now that iphone is so popular, the mix may be different. Try getting more info on your specific college forum. </p>
<p>Also check with the school’s computer showcase/store. They may have deep discount on some models due to the site license.</p>
<p>Build a windows desktop with the i7 16gb of ram a ssd for boot and hdd for storage and access it from school via remote desktop and have everything processed that way</p>
<p>save money and you save on how much you have to carry around</p>
<p>I’m using a laptop with 4GB of RAM and a dual core Sandybridge i3… clocked at a glorious 1.3 GHz. And because of Samsung’s locked BIOS, the CPU automatically throttles to 0.8 GHz as soon as it enters battery mode regardless of the CPU load.</p>
<p>It’s sufficient some of the times. VMware (to access software that are on the university’s desktop rigs) and Firefox occasionally lags when the 800mhz CPU is at 100% load.</p>
<p>Though I did install a 120GB SSD and an extra capacity 8-cell battery.</p>
<p>I plan on waiting for AMD’a A10 Kaveri laptops to show up and then decide what laptop to buy.</p>