A computer is a fundamental tool for civil and structural engineers and engineering students as they rely on a computer for most parts of their work. Before computers, most engineering tasks were laborious and took lots of human resources but today engineers utilize the power of computers and software to design, test, and make changes to products in real-time.
Over time the rapid advancements in technology have greatly impacted every field of study, and civil engineering isn’t different at all. Civil engineering is a field that demands the use of heavy-duty software for creating 3D modeling, architectural designs, rendering and, the list goes on. Hence, a high-performance workstation is a necessity for every engineering student.
One of the key considerations in choosing the best laptop for civil engineering students and pros alike is how well it runs AutoCAD. AutoCAD is a design and drafting software for civil engineers; they use it to generate 2D and 3D models on their computer. It’s largely considered the gold standard of civil engineering software.
An ideal workstation for civil engineering students should have specific configurations like larger memory storage, good battery life, and suitable RAM capacity. These particular features will ensure that all advanced programming activities are carried out smoothly and efficiently. Luckily for you, in our guide on the best laptop for civil engineering students, we’ve shortlisted the high-end high-performing best laptops for your review.
Quick Overview of the Top 5 Laptops for Civil Engineering Students
- 2021 Latest Business Laptop Dell Inspiron 17 7000 2-in-1 Laptop 17.3″ QHD Touch-Screen 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 32G RAM 1TB Nvme SSD GeForce MX350 Thunderbolt 4 Window 10 Pro
- Lenovo IdeaPad S340 Intel Core i5 10th Gen 14 inches FHD Business Laptop (8GB/512GB/Windows 10/Office 2019/NVIDIA MX230 2GB Graphics/Grey/1.6Kg), 81WJ002SIN
- HP Envy 15-ep0123TX 15.6″ (39.62cms) Laptop (10th Gen i7-10750H/16GB/1TB SSD/Windows 10 Home/NVIDIA 1660Ti 6 GB Graphics), Natural Silver
- ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo UX581 Laptop, 15.6” 4K UHD NanoEdge Touch Display, Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, GeForce RTX 2060, ScreenPad Plus, Windows 10 Pro, Celestial Blue, UX581LV-XS74T
- Razer Blade 15 Base Gaming Laptop 2020: Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, 15.6″ FHD 1080p 144Hz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, CNC Aluminum, Chroma RGB Lighting, Thunderbolt 3, Black
Now it’s time to know details of the listed products-
1. Dell Inspiron 17
The Dell Inspiron 17 is a perfect desktop replacement, and that’s the reason why we included it in our top engineering laptops.The heart of this device is an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and an extensive 32GB RAM that is more than sufficient for smooth multitasking. Couple it with 1TB solid SSD storage, and you can easily save all your computing programs and designs for efficient operation.
Equipped with a 17.3” FHD IPS display and a 2560 X 1600 resolution, it provides clear images with a wide viewing angle. In addition to this, the full-size keyboard offers a comfortable and stable typing experience to help you work efficiently no matter where you are.
Key Features
- Windows 10 Pro
- 32G DDR4 RAM 1TB Nvme M.2 SSD
- Processor 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor (12MB Cache, up to 4.7 GHz)
- 17.0-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1600) Truelife Touch Narrow Border IPS Display (touch screen), powered by NVIDIA GeForce MX350 with 2GB
- Stereo speakers with Waves MaxxAudio Pro; 1 x SD Card Reader, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x Headphone/Microphone Combo, 1 x HDMI 1.4b, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 with Power Delivery & DisplayPort, 1 x power-adapter port, 1 x Fingerprint Reader; Built-in 720p HD webcam with dual-array microphone; Intel Wi-Fi 6 2×2 (Gig+) and Bluetooth
Technical Specifications
| Display Size | 17 Inches |
| Max Screen Resolution | 2560 X 1600 Pixels |
| Processor | 4.7 GHz core_i7 |
| RAM | 32 GB DDR4 |
| Hard Drive | 1 TB ssd |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce MX350 |
| Chipset Brand | NVIDIA |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth |
Pros
- 32GB RAM
- Massive 1TB SSD storage
- Stunning 17.3-inch QHD+ display
- Stable and comfortable keyboard
Cons
- GPU could be better
- Weighs around 5.4lbs
Recommendations
The catch of the laptop is its weight of 5.4lbs. So, you may not be able to carry it for a longer time. However, considering the 17-inch display, the weight seems justified.
Apart from this, the Dell Inspiron 17 effectively does what it sets out to do with its dazzling display and massive storage.
2. Lenovo Ideapad S340
The Lenovo Ideapad S340 is the best budget laptop for civil engineering students, it offers the latest 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor with an entry-level graphics card which does a fine job on 3D modeling software.It provides a full-sized chiclet backlit keyboard, and it offers an Ergonomically-designed, sturdy, and comfortable typing experience, and a large precision multi-touch gesture trackpad is a very comfortable and elegant design. Without any doubt, you can run almost all the software of civil engineer students as well as other creative professionals.
Key Features
- Display: 14″ Full HD (1920×1080), Brightness: 250 nits, Anti-Glare, IPS Technology
- Pre-Installed: MS Office Home and Student 2019
- Operating System: Pre-Loaded Windows 10 Home with Lifetime Validity
- Memory & Storage: 8GB RAM DDR4-2666, 512 GB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce MX 230 2GB GDDR5 Dedicated Graphics
- Design: 1.79 cm Thin and 1.6 kg Light, Aluminium Material Top, Backlit Keyboard
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1, Speed: 1.0 GHz (Base) – 3.6 GHz (Max), 4 Cores, 6MB Cache
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Lenovo |
| Model Name | Ideapad S340 |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included) |
| RAM Size | 8 GB |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 512 GB |
| Flash Memory Installed Size | 512 |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 8 GB |
| Ram Memory Technology | DDR4 |
| Hard Drive Interface | USB 3.1 |
| Hard Disk Description | Flash Memory Solid State |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| Processor Speed | 1 GHz |
| Processor Type | Core i5 |
| Processor Count | 4 |
| Hardware Interface | USB, HDMI, SDXC, SDHC, Secure Digital Card |
| Graphics Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Card Ram Size | 2 GB |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce MX230 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Special Features | Anti reflective |
| Mounting Hardware | Laptop, Adapter, Manual |
| Software Included | Webcam |
| Standing screen display size | 14 Inches |
| Display Type | LED |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) |
| Audio Details | Headphones, Speakers |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Battery Average Life | 2 Years |
| Battery Average Life Standby | 10 Hours |
| Battery Cell Composition | Polymer |
| Keyboard Description | Backlit keyboard |
| Connector Type | Wireless |
| Device interface – primary | Microphone, Keyboard |
| Form Factor | Traditional Laptop |
| Device Type | Ultrabook |
| Item Weight | 1 kg 690 g |
Pros
- Good GPU
- SSD storage
- Average battery life
- Good Performance
Cons
- No optical Drive
- No backlit keyboard
Recommendations
The Lenovo Ideapad S340 features the 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor which offers good working performance. It offers a good GPU by NVIDIA which is capable of 3D modeling software and designing engineering programs. So yeah if you are a civil engineer student then this laptop is the best budget laptop for students under 55000.
3. HP Envy 15
The Hp Envy is the best laptop for a civil engineer because it offers the latest 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor with a Powerful GPU with 16 GB RAM and excellent display quality.This powerful machine is also the best choice for content creations and gaming as wellHp Envy comes with a 15.6” IPS FHD with slim bezel MicroEdge display. The Hp claims the IPS panel on the envy is capable of reproducing sRGB color space. There is also a 4K OLED version which covers a 94% DCI-P3 but this option is not available in India.
Key Features
- Memory: 16 GB DDR4-2933 SDRAM (2 x 8 GB); Transfer rates up to 2933 MT/s
- Storage: 1 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD; Optical drive not included
- Display & Graphics: 39.6 cm (15.6″) diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, micro-edge, anti-glare, 300 nits, 72% NTSC; NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with Max-Q design (6 GB GDDR6 dedicated)
- Processor Name: Intel Core i7-10750H (2.6 GHz base frequency, up to 5 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 12 MB L3 cache, 6 cores)
- Software: Microsoft Windows 10 – Home; Microsoft Office 2019 – Home and Student Edition
Technical Specifications
| Brand | HP |
| Display Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included) |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| Processor Type | Core i7 |
| Processor Speed | 2.6 GHz |
| Processor Count | 6 |
| RAM Size | 16 GB |
| Memory Technology | DDR4 |
| Hard Drive Size | 1 TB |
| Hard Disk Description | Flash Memory Solid State |
| Graphics Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Card Ram Size | 6 GB |
| Connectivity Type | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Wireless Type | 5 GHz Radio Frequency |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 2 |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Supported Software | Comes with Pre-installed Microsoft Office Home & Student 2019 |
| Average Battery Life (in hours) | 14 Hours |
| Lithium Battery Energy Content | 83 Watt Hours |
| Lithium Battery Weight | 50 Grams |
| Included Components | Laptop, Battery, AC Adapter, User Guide, Manuals |
| Item Weight | 2 kg 140 g |
Pros
- SSD Storage
- Powerful GPU
- Backlit keyboard
- Good Battery life
- Fingerprint reader
- Powerful Performance
Cons
- No optical Drive
Recommendations
The Hp Envy features the latest 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor which boosts your working performance. It offers a great GPU by NVIDIA which is powerful enough for 3D modeling software and creative design. So yeah if you are a professional civil engineer then this laptop is the best one.
4. ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo
With the most powerful processor, an optimized cooling system, and dual screens that are an arresting sight to behold, the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo is the real winner when it comes to buying the best engineering laptops. On the display front, you get a standard 15.6-inch 4K OLED touchscreen at 3840×2160 resolution. The laptop comes with another 14-inch widescreen just above the keyboard. It is a brilliant concept for engineers that need to extend or split windows or apps on the screen.
Key Features
- 15.6” 4K UHD NanoEdge touch screen glossy main display
- 14 inch 4K matte touchscreen, giving your endless way to optimize your multitasking experience by extending the screen or split windows and apps on both displays
- Fast storage and memory featuring 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD with 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Latest 10th generation Intel Core i7-10750H Processor (12M Cache, up to 5.0 GHz) with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- Detachable palm rest and ASUS active stylus pen included. Military Grade : US MIL-STD 810G military-grade standard
Technical Specifications
| Display Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Max Screen Resolution | 3840X2160 Pixels |
| Processor | 5 GHz corei7_10750h |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
| Hard Drive | 1 TB |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2060 |
| Chipset Brand | NVIDIA |
| Card Description | RTX 2060 |
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth, 802.11ax |
Pros
- The second display simplifies workflows
- Improved quality and better contrast due to OLED panel
- Intel Core i7 and NVIDIA RTX 2060 offer computing muscle
- 1TB SSD storage is excellent to store all the engineering projects
Cons
- The laptop is costly
- 5-hour battery life is short
Recommendations
With the help of Windows 10 Pro, you can easily install the latest engineering updates and features. The built-in camera is sensational and can recognize your face instantly. So, you can effectively protect your projects from unauthorized access.Other than that, the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo is a highly functional machine offering an excellent multitasking experience and tremendous power and is something we can recommend with our eyes closed.
5. Razer Blade 15
Supporting an awesome processor and a slim & compact design, the Razer Blade 15 has revolutionized how civil engineers use laptops. The 15.6” FHD IPS at 1920×1080 is another major draw of the laptop. This enables the engineers to view every little detail accurately due to truer colors, brighter images, and crispier texts.
While the majority of the manufacturers are promoting bezel-free designs nowadays, notebooks still need it to ensure optimal performance. Thus, Razer has done a great job in minimizing the bezels in this model so that you can get the most from your screen and edge out the win.
Key Features
- More power: The 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H processor provides the ultimate level of performance with up to 5.0 GHz max turbo and 6 cores.
- Thin and compact: The CNC aluminum unibody frame houses incredible performance in the most compact footprint possible, while remaining remarkably durable and just 0.78″ thin.
- Ready to connect: Fully loaded with Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet, Thunderbolt 3, USB type-A and type-C ports, and HDMI, for a desktop-class experience
- Ray-tracing: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is powered by the NVIDIA Turing GPU architecture and brings cinematic-quality rendering to the most visually intense games.
- More frames: Incredible performance paired with the fast 144Hz 15. 6″ full HD thin bezel display helps edge out the win.
Technical Specifications
| Display Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 Pixels |
| Processor | 5 GHz corei7_10750h |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
| Memory Speed | 2933 MHz |
| Hard Drive | Flash Memory Solid State |
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 |
| Chipset Brand | NVIDIA |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Card Ram Size | 6 GB |
| Wireless Type | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 3 |
Pros
- Alluring display
- Slim & compact design
- 512GB SSD storage is upgradable
- Power-hungry Intel Core i7 processor
Cons
- Overheats under extensive use
Recommendations
Weighing 4.3lbs only, the design is compact, and there is a transportability factor as well. The engineers will certainly appreciate it as they often need to travel around with their devices. Additionally, you get pretty decent storage of 512GB SSD that can be upgraded as well. However, apart from this, the Razer Blade 15 is your best bet from the Razer collection due to its power-hungry processor and compact design.
Final Words
Having a robust, portable, and speedy laptop can indeed be a game-changer for civil engineers. But, for that, you need to find your ideal match. From RAM to processor, you must evaluate every single feature.
Thankfully, we also reviewed 5 Top Rated Laptops for Civil Engineering Students. Thus, you can easily make a choice from one of these 5 laptops, bearing in mind that they would run all your civil engineering software, boot fast and process data speedily.
You would definitely be better off spending a significant amount and getting your money’s worth, than purchasing a cheap, average laptop that will give you issues or slow you down. This review has highlighted the important factors that every civil engineering student looks out for, before getting a laptop.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do Civil Engineers need laptops?
Civil & Structural Engineering, is a field that requires a laptop for using some programs such as AutoCAD, Revit, ALLPLAN, doing assignments, taking notes and preparing presentations.
2. Is i5 good for Civil Engineering?
We recommend a laptop with the latest Intel Core i5 or Core i7 chips, and at the very least, 8GB of RAM though 16GB is even better. Many of the programs engineering students rely on are also graphically intensive programs especially CAD, MATLAB and Solid Works, which are used for 3D modelling and video rendering.
3. Is Intel UHD graphics good for engineering students?
Most engineering software will benefit from having a dedicated graphics processing unit (GPU). This will usually be listed as NVIDIA GTX/RTX or AMD Radeon GPU in the laptop specs. For newer laptops, even integrated Intel UHD graphics are good enough to run most graphically-intensive software acceptably.
4. What is AutoCAD Civil 3D used for?
Autodesk Civil 3D software is a civil engineering design and documentation solution that supports Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows on a variety of civil infrastructure project types, including roads and highways, land development, rail, airports, and water.
5. What is 3D modeling in civil engineering?
3D modeling refers to the process of creating a mathematical representation of a 3-dimensional object or shape. Motion pictures, video games, architecture, construction, product development, medical, all these industries are using 3D models for visualizing, simulating and rendering graphic designs.
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