Best Laptops for Engineering Students in India

Lenovo ThinkPad E15 is the best choice for engineering students in India. It is well priced around ₹70000 and comes with enough power to handle all tasks. If you want to pick a budget laptop under ₹50000 then Mi NoteBook 14 is a perfect choice. Also, If higher performance is all your priority without budget constraint then Dell XPS 15 is the ultimate performance beast. I personally use Dell XPS 15 and it is incredibly fast. We have also picked 11 other best laptops for college students in India across all budget ranges, Starting from ₹40000 to 1 Lakh Rupees.

• 1. Lenovo ThinkPad E15 – Overall Best Laptop
• 2.Mi NoteBook 14 – Best Budget Laptop
• 3.Asus Vivobook – Best Under ₹ 50000
• 4.ASUS ZenBook 13 – Compact & Light Weight
• 5.Lenovo Flex 5 14-inch – Comes with Touch Screen
• 6.ACER NITRO 5 – Best For Gaming Students
• 7.HP 15 – Best For Graphic Designing Students
• 8.Asus Zephyrus G14 – Compact High Performance
• 9.MacBook Pro 16 – It’s Apple
• 10.Dell XPS 15 – The Ultimate Performance Winner
• 11.Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15
• 12.ASUS ZenBook 14
• 13.Lenovo ThinkPad P15
• 14.Lenovo IdeaPad S145

College life is one of the best parts of anyone’s life. In this Era, all college students need a great laptop to learn more and to make it entertaining, productive and to get ahead in their career. In this article, we mainly focus on Engineering students but this article will help college students like you to buy the right laptop within the desired budget.

Let’s review all top-rated and budget laptops for Engineering students in India.

15 Best Budget, Compact & Powerful Laptops for Engineering students in India

1. Lenovo ThinkPad E15

If you are a Computer Science, ECE, EEE, or Mechanical engineering student, this Lenovo ThinkPad E15 is the best for you.

Lenovo’s ThinkPad series is an ambitious take on formal business laptops that can also do the heavy lifting of a demanding week. The ThinkPad E15 perfectly captures the essence of the ThinkPad lineup. It’s a thin-light formal laptop packed with ample power. 

The 10th gen Intel version of the laptop has dropped significantly in price ever since the debut of the AMD version. Hence, that’s the one we’ll be looking at today. Inside, you’ll find a 10th Gen Core i5 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM, 128 GB SSD and a 1 TB SSD. A laptop with two storage drives is quite a rare occurrence in 2020, which makes ThinkPad all the more favourable. Yet if you find the memory or the storage to be insufficient, you can always open it up and upgrade them. If you’re gritty about your privacy, you’ll love the dozen-load of security features baked into this laptop.

You’ll have a hard time setting it apart from the more expensive ThinkPad models. So it’s safe to say the built quality is top-notch. The aluminium chassis is sleek, measuring under 19 mm and weighing less than 2 kg. The backlit keyboard feels clicky and responsive. A full fledged number pad is a welcome touch for those long maths lectures. The 15.6″ screen with a Full HD IPS display isn’t the most colour accurate display and the thick bezels lend an outdated look to the laptop. But the hinge of the laptop opens all the way up to 180 degrees, so it’s easy to find a comfortable position. Lenovo claims a whopping 12 hours of battery life. But in real world terms, you’ll get around 8 to 10 hours of battery life with mixed usage. Given the weight of the laptop, the battery life is nothing short of phenomenal. The overall design of the laptop has a professional flair to it. 

The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 has a well defined market and engineering students fit quite well within it. It’s a productivity beast. But if you want something that can also play demanding games or edit videos, then ThinkPad E15 is not the best pick. There is no dedicated graphics. The ThinkPad E15 was previously configurable up to an Intel i7 and AMD RX 560. But in the lieu of the AMD model, the configurable models are no longer on offer. 

Pros of Lenovo IdeaPad S145

• Fabulous performance in day to day tasks
• Classic built quality, though the design may see outdated
• Dual storage module

Cons of Lenovo IdeaPad S145

• No longer configurable

2. Mi NoteBook 14

Xiaomi has already established it’s indisputable dominance in the mobile market. But, Xiaomi is the underdog new kid on the block with a lot to prove when it comes to laptops. The Mi NoteBook 14 is a premium-ish notebook at the price of a budget notebook. 

The first thing you notice even before opening up the laptop is the sleek and minimal design. The laptop seems heavily inspired by the previous generation of Apple MacBook, less the iconic Apple logo. It is a clean, all metallic built with no branding whatsoever. So you can either keep it all clean or personalise it with vinyl. The inspirations continue once you open up the lid as well. Once again, you’re greeted by an Apple-ish design language that lends to the premium feel of the laptop. The minimal bezel around the screen is a nice touch, but the exclusion of a webcam is a sacrifice you make for it. The included USB webcam gets you started with the laptop, but it’s not fit if you regularly use your webcam. 

The specs are equally appalling as the looks. Inside, you’ll find a 10th Gen Intel i5 CPU, paired with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD. Unfortunately, both of them have been soldered on the motherboard to save space. 

The Mi NoteBook 14 is a testimony to what Xiaomi does best- great specs packed in a well-built body delivered at an affordable price. There are no corners that are cut short. The Mi NoteBook 14 is an excellent notebook for its price but may feel underpowered at heavy loads. While the specs can’t be upgraded, you can opt for the Horizon edition of the laptop, which is much more powerful. You can also select the Mi NoteBook 14 with 512 GB SSD and Nvidia MX 250 graphics. 

Pros of Mi NoteBook 14

• Sleek, minimal build
• Fantastic performance for the price
• Long battery life with fast charging
• Long battery life with fast charging 

Cons of Mi NoteBook 14

• No webcam
• RAM and SSD not upgradeable

3. Asus Vivobook

Tech Specs 

Brand	Asus
Model Name	Vivobook M509DA-BQ1067T
Processor	AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 5-3500U
RAM	8 GB
RAM Technology	DDR4
Display Size	15.6”
Graphics Card	Integrated, Vega 8 Graphics
Resolution	1920 x 1080
Operating System	Windows 10
Hard Disk Capacity	1 TB
Hard Disk Type	HDD
Ports	1 x COMBO audio jack | 2x USB 2.0 | 1x USB 3.1 Type-A (Gen1) | 1x USB 3.1 Type C (Gen 1) | 1x HDMI |1x Micro SD Card Reader
Average Battery Life	8 Hours
Wireless Type	Wi-Fi 5(802.11ac) | Bluetooth 4.2 (Dual band) 2*2

Usually, there isn’t a “one size fits all” laptop for engineering students, especially when it comes to a budget laptop. However, Asus has fit the jackpot with their Vivobook. It’s a budget ultrabook that looks as good as it performs! Manufacturers tend to invest all of the price tags towards procuring the best specs. At the end of the day, the result is a laptop that performs pretty well but feels flimsy due to cheap built quality. But that’s not the case here!

The Asus VivoBook is a thin and light laptop enclosed in a metallic encasing that resonates with more expensive ultrabooks. But that’s not it! The most exciting part of the laptop is what’s on the inside: Ryzen 5 CPU, the AMD’s forerunner of a 7 nm chip, powers the Vivobook. The Ryzen CPUs have proved continuously to overpower their Intel counterparts.  Ryzen 5’s performance is close to an Intel i7 rather than an i5. Along with that, you’ll find 8 GB of RAM and 1 TB HDD. The lack of an SSD is disappointing. But the matter is forgivable given the price and the fact that there is an empty M.2 slot, so you can always add your own SSD. The RAM can also be upgraded to 12 GB. On the deck, you’ll find a full-size chiclet keyboard. The num pad is a nice touch if you work with a lot of numbers.

Even out of the box, the Asus Vivobook is a reliable laptop with great specs. You can even play games like Witcher 3 and GTA V. Programming and compiling works great too. In day to day tasks such as taking notes and sending emails, the Vivobook will be an all-star. 

Pros of Asus VivoBook

• Fabulous performance in for the price tag
• Long battery life with fast charging
• Modern design, backlit keyboard, and satisfactory build quality.

Cons of Asus VivoBook

• Underwhelming display
• microSD card slot instead of full-size SD card s

4. ASUS ZenBook 13 

Tech Specs:

Brand	Asus
Model Name	ZenBook 13 UX333FA-A4117T
Processor	8th Gen Intel i5
RAM	8 GB
RAM Technology	DDR4
Display Size	13.3”
Graphics Card	Integrated
Resolution	1920 x 1080
Operating System	Windows 10
Hard Disk Capacity	512 GB
Hard Disk Type	SSD
Ports	1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C (up to 10Gbps), 1 x USB 3.1 Type-A (up to 10Gbps), 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 x HDMI, 1 x MicroSD card reader
Average Battery Life	14 Hours
Wireless Type	Wi-Fi 5(802.11ac) | Bluetooth 5.0

If you can stretch your pocket a wee bit beyond the Vivobook, then take a look at the ASUS ZenBook 13. The ZenBook was the turning point for Asus, a class defining the range of laptops that make a statement. 

The Zenbook range kicks off with the Zenbook 13, and it has pretty much everything you need. The Zenbook 13 packs an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 8 GB RAM, and 512 GB SSD. The SSD isn’t sodded, but the laptop is built in such a way that getting inside is a humongous task. 

The aesthetics are where the ZenBook 13 shines the brightest. I prefer the ZenBook’s experimental yet clean aesthetics over that of a MacBook.  The first thing you notice is the Gold Asus logo amidst the ripple effect on the lid. When you open the lid, the laptop’s deck rises by a few inches to greet you. This is made possible by the ergo hinge, making the typing position better and improving the airflow. The keyboard is backlit and comfortable to type on. One of the most striking features of the Zenbook 13 is the virtual num-pad. Essentially, the trackpad lights up and turns into a Numpad. The feature may seem gimmicky at first, but if you deal with a lot of numbers, you’ll get used to it. The bezels on the screen are virtually non-existent. Yet Acer has managed to fit a webcam as well as an IR sensor on top of the screen. 

The ZenBook 13 is a statement maker. Despite its impressive specs, it weighs a mere 1.19 Kg, not to mention the extremely small footprint. Sure, it costs more than a VivoBook which packs essentially the same specs, if not more. But ZenBook is a complete package, accompanied by the top of the line built. Furthermore, there’s also an i7 version of the laptop if you ever feel short on power. 

Pros of Asus ZenBook 13

• Premium, eye-catching design 
• Top of the line battery
• Great performance.

Cons of Asus ZenBook 13

• Dim Display

5. Lenovo Flex 5 14-inch

Tech Specs 

Brand	Lenovo
Model Name	Flex 5 14” 81SS000DUS
Processor	AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 5-3500U
RAM	12 GB
RAM Technology	DDR4
Display Size	14”, touchscreen
Graphics Card	Integrated, Vega 8 Graphics
Resolution	1920 x 1080
Operating System	Windows 10
Hard Disk Capacity	256 GB
Hard Disk Type	SSD, NVMe
Ports	1 x COMBO audio jack | 1x USB 3.1 Type C (Gen 1) | 1x HDMI | 2x USB 2.0 | 1x SD Card Reader
Average Battery Life	10 Hours
Wireless Type	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 ac) and Bluetooth® 4.2

If you’re looking for a touch screen laptop with pen input, Lenovo Flex 5 is what you should be looking at. The pen input is a blessing for students who like to take notes by hand and draw a lot.

It’s a 14” convertible laptop that packs the newest bells and whistles. The built quality feels sturdy while the materials have a premium touch. Under the skin, the Lenovo Flex 5 is a complete powerhouse. AMD Ryzen 5 3500U Processor powers the heart of the system. Inside, you’ll also find a massive 12GB RAM and 256GB SSD out of the box. It packs enough “oomph” factor to handle programming as well as 3D modelling. On top of that, you also get a backlit keyboard, making working in the dark so much easier. A Windows Hello enabled fingerprint sensor on the deck allows you to quickly login. Lenovo’s feat of privacy features keeps your data safe. 

The star of the show here is the touchscreen display with support for Lenovo’s active pen. It’s a 14” FHD display with nano bezels around the side. There is a bit of a chin on the bottom, but that’s not quite intrusive. You get the active pen inside the box, so you can start using it asap. It’s proven great for taking notes and drawing. The hinge feels solid and lends your arms confidence while changing the laptop’s orientation, despite being a thin and light laptop that you can carry around all day. Lenovo boasts a battery life of full 10 hours. 

The Lenovo Flex 5 is the perfect laptop for engineering students who like to take digital notes. The touch input is nothing short of a blessing when you need to make a detailed diagram or work on a 3D model’s minute details. Not to forget that you can use it as a multimedia tablet to watch movies or Youtube after a hard day of work.

Pros of Lenovo Flex 5

• Impressive computing capabilities
• Touch input works flawlessly.
• Excellent value

Cons of Lenovo Flex 5

• A bit heavy for a small laptop
• Dim display

6. ACER NITRO 5

Tech Specs 

Brand	Acer
Model Name	Nitro 5 AN515-43
Processor	AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 5-3550H
RAM	8 GB
RAM Technology	DDR4
Display Size	15.6
Graphics Card	Nvidia GTX 1650
Resolution	1920 x 1080
Operating System	Windows 10
Hard Disk Capacity	512 GB
Hard Disk Type	SSD
Ports	1 x COMBO audio jack | 1x USB 3.1 Type C (Gen 1) | 1x HDMI | 1 x USB 2.0 | 1x RJ45 Ethernet Port | 3 x USB 3.0 |
Average Battery Life	6 Hours
Wireless Type	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 ac) and Bluetooth® 4.2

The Acer Nitro 5 is the definition of the phrase “bang for the buck.” For an extremely affordable price tag, Nitro 5 offers a full-fledged gaming laptop experience. 

Inside, you’ll find an AMD Ryzen 5 3550H processor paired with Nvidia GTX 1650 Graphics with 8 GB of VRAM. You’ll find 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD for fast boot-ups. There’s also an empty RAM slot as well as an HDD slot that allows you to upgrade the memory and storage down the line. However, even at the base specs, the Nitro 5 is quite a capable laptop. Be it video games, programming or 3D modelling, it can handle it all. GPU demanding software, such as AutoCAD and PremierPro, will feel swift and snappy, thanks to the Nvidia GTX 1650 Graphics. 

There’s a distinct “gaming aesthetic” to the laptop. The red accents and red keyboard backlighting set it apart from the office laptops. The visual language is also carried forward to the back of the laptop with a honeycomb pattern on either side and a red hinge. Some people love the design, while others aren’t a big fan of it. If something is assured, it’s the fact that it will set you apart from your peers. 

However, it’s not all sunshine and daisies. Acer had to make a few significant sacrifices to keep the price down while upholding the specs. The built quality and display are the worst-hit victims of the sacrifices. The plastic built feels cheap, and there’s significant flex in both the deck and the screen. The 15.6-inch FHD IPS display is neat for day to day use and programming. But forget about doing any colour sensitive work here. 

The Acer Nitro 5 is a true value for money device. It has a few drawbacks, but that doesn’t stop it from becoming one of the best laptops for engineering students in India. 

Pros of Acer Nitro 5	Cons of Acer Nitro 5
The strong performance with upgradation possibilities	Flimsy built
Comfortable keyboard	Dull Display
Extremely affordable	The graphics may feel underpowered at top ends.

7. HP 15 

Tech Specs 

Brand	HP
Model Name	15s eq0132AU
Processor	Ryzen 7 3700U
RAM	8 GB
RAM Technology	DDR4
Display Size	15.6”
Graphics Card	Integrated, Vega 10
Resolution	1920 x 1080
Operating System	Windows 10
Hard Disk Capacity	512 GB
Hard Disk Type	SSD
Ports	1 x COMBO audio jack | 1x HDMI | 2 x USB 3.0 ports | 1 x USB 3.1 Type C | 1 X SD card reader
Average Battery Life	6 Hours
Wireless Type	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.0

If you’re looking for a high-performance budget laptop and your workflow is CPU intensive, then HP 15 is the one for you! HP costs about the same as Acer Nitro 5, in sales at least. But the HP 15 ditches the dedicated GPU in favour of a more powerful processor and better-built quality. 

The HP 15 runs on an AMD Ryzen 7-3700U processor. In layman’s terms, that’s the second most powerful CPU on a laptop, trailing behind the likes of Ryzen 9 and Intel i9. You’ll also find 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB storage inside. Despite being packed in a rather bulky chassis, upgradability is one of the downsides here. There is no option to upgrade the RAM or add any extra storage. So you’re just stuck with the variant you buy. And since it only comes in one variant, you don’t have many options. 

Compiling programs and data mining will be as smooth as butter on the Ryzen 7. However, 3D programs like CAD and Blender will suffer since there is no dedicated GPU. You can play games like Witcher 3 and GTA V, thanks to the top-notch integrated Vega graphics. But, don’t opt for the HP 15 if you’re looking for anything beyond casual gaming. 

The HP 15 doesn’t stand out of the competition in terms of design, yet packs a fresh and modern outlook. The built quality is what you’d expect out from a laptop at this price point- plastic with a brushed metal finish. Despite the flex, the HP 15 feels sturdy in day to day use. Furthermore, weighing just 1.77 kg, it’s portable enough to carry around all day long. Although, the small battery back-up will force you to carry around the power adapter all around. 

Pros of HP 15	Cons of HP 15
Great specs for the price	Tiny battery life
Powerful CPI	No extra slots for upgrades
Acceptable built

8. Asus Zephyrus G14

Tech Specs 

Brand	Asus
Model Name	Zephyrus G14  GA401IU-HE138TS
Processor	Ryzen 7 4800HS
RAM	16 GB
RAM Technology	DDR4
Display Size	14”
Graphics Card	GTX 1660Ti Max Q 6GB GDDR6 Graphics
Resolution	1920 x 1080
Operating System	Windows 10
Hard Disk Capacity	1 TB
Hard Disk Type	SSD
Ports	1 x COMBO audio jack | 1x HDMI | 2 x USB 3.0 ports | 2x USB 3.1 Type C (With charging support)
Average Battery Life	11 Hours
Wireless Type	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.0

Five years ago, if you’d ask me for an ultra-high-performance gaming laptop in a thin and light form factor, I’d tell you to stop fantasising and get your feet on the ground.  Yet if you’d ask me the same question today, I’ll tell you to buy the Zephyrus G14 without a second thought. 

The Asus Zephyrus G14 is a thin and light laptop with absolute bonkers specs under the hood. There are a few variants of the laptop but we recommend the fully loaded one to engineering students. It’s got a Ryzen 7 4800HS Processor along with GTX 1660Ti Max Q 6GB GDDR6 Graphics. Along with that, you’ll find a 16 GB RAM and a massive 1 TB SSD in the house. These specs are fit for the demanding tasks that engineering students encounter every day. Programming, 3D modelling, rendering or playing video games in the dorm is all possible here.  

The back panel of the G14 features an Anime Matrix, a cluster of LED lights that can be programmed to customize the laptop. You can use it to display important info such as time and date or just use it to play a gif of Ricardo dancing. The metal built quality feels phenomenal, with no loose edges or flex anywhere. The 14” screen has nano bezels, fully accurate colour accuracy and a 120Hz refresh rate. The only sacrifice you have to make for the nano bezels in the lack of a webcam, a crucial component in the age of online classes and meeting. The deck of the laptop slightly lifts up when you open the lid, improving the airflow and typing angle. 

All in all, the ROG Zephyrus G14 is a beastly laptop in a gentle and modern form factor. It’s hard to find any major flaws here. The fact that it’s available in a number of configurations makes it easy to recommend for all budgets. 

Pros of Asus Zephyrus G14	Cons of Asus Zephyrus G14
Superb performance	No integrated webcam
Long and reliable battery
Fantastic design and build in a thin and light chassis

9. MacBook Pro 16

Tech Specs 

Brand	Apple
Model Name	MacBook Pro 16
Processor	9th-generation Intel Core i7 (On the base variant)
RAM	16 GB (On the base variant)
RAM Technology	DDR4
Display Size	16”
Graphics Card	AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory (On the base variant)
Resolution	3072 x 1920
Operating System	macOS Catalina
Hard Disk Capacity	512 GB (On the base Variant)
Hard Disk Type	SSD
Ports	4 x Thunderbolt 3 ports
Average Battery Life	11 Hours
Wireless Type	Wi-Fi 802.11ax + Bluetooth 5.0

The MacBook Pro 16 is pretty much your only option if you’d like to use Apple-exclusive apps. The debut of Apple’s online store in India has made it easier than ever to configure and purchase a MacBook in India. 

The MacBook Pro is the gold standard of laptops in the world. Even the base model of MacBook Pro 16 comes with a 6-core 9th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and AMD Radeon Pro 5300M graphics. Inside, you’ll also find 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD. As is the case with all Apple laptops, you can’t get inside the Macbook Pro to upgrade it as everything is sodded on to keep it compact. However, you can configure it with some beefy specs. 

MacBooks are all about OS, so MacBook Pro 16 feels lightyears ahead as compared to a similarly specced Windows laptop. The built quality is flawless. Only an experienced watchmaker may be able to point out any flaw with the making of the MacBook Pro. The 16-inch Retina display with True Tone is gorgeous with nano bezels around the size. The display is 100% colour accurate and goes up to 500 nits of brightness, so you can use it even outside in the sunlight. Apple fixed the faculty butterfly keys and replaced them with trusty old scissor switches. The touch bar is configurable and adapts according to the program you’re using. The port selection is disappointing for engineering students. You’ll have to invest in an adapter to plug in anything. 

The MacBook Pro can easily be the unconquerable champion of the best laptops for engineering students in India. The only hurdle in its way is the price. Thanks to the import duties and other taxes, MacBook Pro is quite pricey in India as compared to the North American markets. On top of that, the price rises rapidly when you start configuring the laptop with better specs. The bottom line here is that if you can afford it, go for it!

Pros of MacBook Pro 16	Cons of MacBook Pro 16
Stunning display	Limited to four Thunderbolt ports
New and improved keyboard	Pricey in the Indian market, especially when you start adding the extras
Class defining built quality and iconic design

NOTE: Apple will be releasing new MacBooks with Apple Silicone chips. The performance of the new chips will be out of the roof, thanks to the excellent optimizations between the hardware and the software. The prices will be about the same but there will be a huge performance bump.  

On MacBook Air: If you’ll dig through the internet to find the best college laptops, you’ll often hear about MacBook Air. However, I’d ask you to stay away from it. Not that the MacBook Air is not a good laptop, it’s merely because it’s not fit for you. For starters, it’s quite underpowered for any heavy lifting. Secondly, it costs over 90K in the Indian market. Hence, it’s not useful for an engineering student in India. Instead, opt for the array of powerful laptops you can get under 90K. If you’re fixated on a MacBook, then the MacBook Pro presents much better value for money.  

10. Dell XPS 15

Tech Specs 

Brand	Dell
Model Name	XPS 15 7590
Processor	9th Gen Core i7-9750H
RAM	16 GB
RAM Technology	DDR4
Display Size	15”
Graphics Card	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti 4 GB graphics
Resolution	1920 x 1080
Operating System	Windows 10
Hard Disk Capacity	512 GB
Hard Disk Type	SSD
Ports	1 x COMBO audio jack | 1x SD Card Reader| 2 x USB 3.1 ports | 2x Thunderbolt 3 ports
Average Battery Life	11 Hours
Wireless Type	Wi-Fi 802.11ax + Bluetooth 5.0

If you’re looking for MacBook Pro aesthetics but your workflow revolves around Windows, then take a look at the Dell XPS 15. It is the epitome of a premium Windows ultrabook. It’s a perfect harmony between portability and power.  

Our recommended pick is the XPS 15 with Intel i7 and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti 4 GB graphics. You’ll also find 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD, none of which can be upgraded. Despite the lightweight, it can handle all the heavy stuff you throw at it. The XPS is a great pick for programming and CAD. Not to forget the great battery life which allows you to live without wires. 

The new XPS has minimal bezels surrounding it. Thanks to that, the XPS has a much smaller footprint than its 15” competition. Despite being just a full HD panel, it looks a class apart from the competition. The display covers the complete Adobe SRGB spectrum and gets as bright as 500 nits. The keyboard feels crisp and the trackpad is the biggest one ever fitted to a 15” laptop. There’s an infrared camera and a fingerprint sensor to log-in to your system. 

Just like the MacBook Pro, the only thing weighing down XPS 15 from becoming a mainstream choice is its price. On top of that, you can’t configure the XPS 15 online in India. 

Pros of Dell XPS 15	Cons of Dell XPS 15
Slim, modern and appealing design	Pricey in the Indian market
Top-notch performance	No option to configure the laptop online
Gorgeous display	Limited port selection

11. Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15

Tech Specs 

Brand	Asus
Model Name	Zephyrus Duo 15 GX550LWS-HF104TS
Processor	Intel Core i7-10875H 10th Gen
RAM	32 GB
RAM Technology	DDR4
Display Size	Main- 15.6”Secondary- 14.1-inch”, Touchscreen
Graphics Card	RTX 2070 Super Max-Q 8GB Graphics
Resolution	Main- 1920 x 1080Secondary- 3840 x 1100
Operating System	Windows 10
Hard Disk Capacity	2 TB
Hard Disk Type	SSD, RAID 0
Ports	1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C with DisplayPort 1.4, Thunderbolt 3 and Power Delivery, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A, 1 x HDMI 2.0b, 1 x 3.5mm Microphone-in jack, 1 x 3.5mm Microphone-in/Headphone-out jack, 1 x RJ45
Average Battery Life	7 Hours
Wireless Type	Intel Wi-Fi 6(Gig+)(802.11ax) | Bluetooth 5.1 |

There haven’t been any major changes to the clamshell design of the laptop since its debut. Or so was the case until Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 came into the picture. 

The center of attraction is the secondary screen that pops up to greet you when you open the laptop’s lid. The hinge mechanism of the secondary screen is an engineering marvel itself. But that’s just the beginning of the sweet stuff Asus has packed in the Zephyrus Duo 15. A 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor paired with Nvidia RTX 2070 Super Max-Q 8GB Graphics powers the laptop. The massive RTX graphics support ray tracing, a feature missing from all other laptops in this roundup. Furthermore, you’ll also find 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB SSD along with space to upgrade both of them. 

The secondary screen is a heavenly blessing for creators. You can customize it depending on the software you’re using or use it as a second monitor if that’s what your workflow requires. The possibilities are limitless. The built quality feels solid and sturdy throughout. The main 15.6” display is crisp and 100% colour gamut. But there is an omnipotent problem that’s packed with the promise of a secondary screen. The keyboard is pushed further down to accommodate the screen, and the trackpad is moved on the right to make space for the keyboard. While it takes a while to get used to the trackpad, typing on the keyboard is a pain without a palm rest. It does come with an optional palm rest, but you’re always bound to carry it around. 

Given an engineer’s workflow, we can’t recommend Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 enough. The dual-screen set-up increases your streamlines, your workflow and saves a ton of time. However, it does fetch a price tag high enough to burn a hole in your pocket. 

If the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 is out of your budget, but you’re eyeing a dual-screen laptop, then take a look at the ASUS ZenBook Duo. The ZenBook Duo is a dialled down version of the beefy ROG Zephyrus Duo. The secondary screen on the ZenBook doesn’t pop-out since but the ergo hinge angles it towards you. The base version of the Zenbook Duo costs less than a third of the Zephyrus Duo. 

Pros of Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo	Cons of Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo
Innovative secondary display with touch input	Awkward keyboard and trackpad placement
Unbeatable performance	Very expensive
Slim and portable design despite all the bells and whistles

12. ASUS ZenBook 14

Tech Specs 

Brand	ASUS
Model Name	ZenBook 14 UX434FL-A5822TS
Processor	Intel Core i5 10th Gen
RAM	8 GB
RAM Technology	DDR4
Display Size	14”, 5.65” Screen pad
Graphics Card	NVIDIA GeForce MX250 Graphics 2GB GDDR6
Resolution	1920 x 1080
Operating System	Windows 10
Hard Disk Capacity	512
Hard Disk Type	SSD
Ports	1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.1 Type-A (Gen 1), 1x USB 3.1 Type C (Gen 1), 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x Micro SD card reader
Average Battery Life	12 Hours
Wireless Type	802.11ax (Wifi-6), Bluetooth 5.0 (Dual band) 2*2

Building upon the dual-screen configuration from our previous entries, we have the ASUS ZenBook 14. The trackpad of the ZenBook 14 can double up as a secondary display. Asus and the cool kids call it ScreenPad. The Screen Pad can be used as a traditional trackpad. Or, you can use it to display essential information such as a calendar and a calculator. Or even better and our favourite mode, it can be turned into a full-fledged second display running Windows. The small size limits the functionality, as compared to the mammoth secondary displays on Zephyrus Duo. But, it can come in handy if you configure it properly. Using it as a minimap for a video game or an RGB wheel while editing a photo is a couple of good uses for it. 

Apart from the screenplay, the Zenbook 14 appears to be strikingly similar to Zenbook 13 that we mentioned previously. It’s slightly wider than its younger cousin. But everything is identical apart from that. So you have a clean aesthetic, ergo hinge and minimal bezels around the screen. The laptop weighs just 1.25 Kgs, so it’s easier to pack and carry around. 

The inside is relatively identical as well. The laptop runs on an Intel Core i5 10th Gen CPU, paired with NVIDIA GeForce MX250 Graphics. There’s 8GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD. 

The selling point and the centre of attraction here is the screen pad. The functionality of the screen pad boils down to your workflow and how you choose to configure it. If you don’t need a secondary display, then you’re better off with the Zenbook 13, which costs significantly less. On the contrary, if the secondary display is essential, then the Zenbook 14 is a great budget choice as compared to the Zephyrus Duo. 

Pros of Asus ZenBook 14	Cons of Asus ZenBook 14
Screen Pad is a blessing for multi-tasking.	Screen Pad requires a learning curve to use it efficiently.
Solid yet sleek built	Packs the slower 10 W GPU rather than the 25 W one
Beautiful, bezel-less display

13. Lenovo ThinkPad P15

Tech Specs 

Brand	Lenovo
Model Name	ThinkPad P15 Gen 1
Processor	Up to Intel Xeon W-10885M vPro
RAM	Up to 128 GB
RAM Technology	DDR4
Display Size	15.6
Graphics Card	Up to NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 Max-Q 16GB GDDR6 graphics
Resolution	1920×1080
Operating System	Windows 10
Hard Disk Capacity	Up to 4 TB
Hard Disk Type	SSD
Ports	2x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) |1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) | Power Delivery (PD) | DisplayPort |2x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 | Thunderbolt 3 | 1x HDMI 2.0 |Card reader SD | Ethernet LAN .
Average Battery Life	6-10 Hours, depending on the configuration
Wireless Type	Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 2×2 AX, Bluetooth Version 5.0

The workstation laptops are the ones used by actual engineers rather than students. They’re extremely powerful, high-end systems with a price to match the performance. As Lenovo says, “Eats heavy workloads for breakfast!” So if you’re a student, consider buying them as a long term investment. A workstation laptop comes with a super-fast processor, professional graphics and tons of RAM. 

The best thing about the ThinkPad P15 is the ability to configure it’s specs online, a rare feat in India. If you go all out, the ThinkPad P15 can be configured with Intel Xeon W-10885M vPro Processor and NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 Max-Q 16GB GDDR6 graphics. You can take the memory up to 128 GB and get as much storage as 8 TB. The design is quite reminiscent of Lenovo’s classic Thinkpad laptops, which hasn’t changed over the years yet gained a ton of fans. On top of that, you’ve also got an array of Lenovo’s proprietary security features.

We won’t recommend this to a first-year engineering student as their starter laptop. It would only be overkill. Instead, the ThinkPad P15 is for postgrads and PhD students who are looking for hefty power on the go. 

Pros of Lenovo ThinkPad P15	Cons of Lenovo ThinkPad P15
Professional grade CPU and GPU	Seriously expensive stuff, especially once you start configuring it
Monumental storage and memory	Thick and bulky
Configurable

14. Lenovo IdeaPad S145

Tech Specs:

Brand	Lenovo
Model Name	IdeaPad S145 81UT00NMIN
Processor	AMD Dual-Core Ryzen 3
RAM	8 GB
RAM Technology	DDR4
Display Size	15.6”
Graphics Card	Integrated
Resolution	1920 x 1080
Operating System	Windows 10
Hard Disk Capacity	256 GB
Hard Disk Type	SDD
Ports	1 x COMBO audio jack | 1x USB 2.0 | 2x USB 3.1 Type-A (Gen1) | 1x HDMI |
Average Battery Life	3 Hours
Wireless Type	Wi-Fi 5(802.11ac) | Bluetooth 4.2

The Lenovo IdeaPad S145 is a basic, budget-focused laptop that ticks off all the boxes of our bare minimum requirements. It’s a great starter laptop if you’re buying your first laptop. 

Inside, you’ll find that the IdeaPad S145 runs on an AMD Ryzen 3 processor. The 2.6 GHz certainly can’t play games or run demanding software, but it’s adequate for all your day to day tasks. There is 8 GB of RAM in a dual-channel configuration, and the laptop supports up to 12 GB of RAM. The storage department is under a 256 GB SSD, which is enough to get you started. The laptop comes pre-installed with Windows 10, MS Office Home, and Student 2019. Hence, you don’t need to faff around installing the necessary software to get you started. 

Lenovo has borrowed design cues from it’s more premium laptops. The IdeaPad S145 looks more and feels more posh and expensive than it is. The chassis is made out of plastic but feels reliable and durable. The laptop weighs just 1.85 Kg and measures 19.9 mm in thickness, so it’s easy to carry around the campus. The hinge turns to 180 degrees, and the laptop can lie flat on a table. Nobody uses a computer at that position, and the 180 hinges are usually a marketing fluff. One of the worst drawbacks is the small 35Wh battery. The claimed battery life is 3 hours on average use. If you start watching videos or streaming music, you’re looking at a full battery back-up of an hour. In real-life terms, you’ll always be using this laptop with a wall adapter. 

The Lenovo IdeaPad S145 is an excellent laptop for engineers, as long as they’re not doing any heavy lifting. If online classes, note-taking, and making presentations are your daily tasks, then the Lenovo IdeaPad S145 is a great pick. 

Pros of Lenovo IdeaPad S145

• Fabulous performance in day to day tasks
• Good build quality for the price
• SSD

Cons of Lenovo IdeaPad S145

• Low-res camera
• Miniscule battery back-up

Engineering is a broad and prospering field in India. If there’s one thing that all engineering students need, it’s a reliable laptop. The best laptops for engineering can go a long way in a student’s life, being at the forefront of both work and play. So today we’re rounding up the best laptops for engineering students in India. After an intense and careful selection process, we’ve boiled down to 8 laptops. We’ve listed a handful of laptops across the budget spectrum to suit every pocket. But before we take a plunge into the world of laptops, let’s take a look at what makes a good laptop for engineering students in India. This small guide will help you to shortlist the best laptop for your major.

• Best Laptops For Gaming in India
• Best Laptops for Video Editing
• Best 15 inch laptops in India

How to choose the Best Laptop For Engineering Students in India?

The demands for each major (Mechanical, Computer, Civil) in engineering can differ a lot. A computer engineer will likely need a more powerful system than a civil engineer. On the contrary, a mechanical engineer who often takes a dib on AutoCad will need a robust laptop. 

Here are a few things you should look out for before choosing a laptop for yourself. 

1. RAM– 8 GB of RAM is a minimum in 2020 and for 2021. But if you see yourself running demanding programs, 16 GB of RAM will suit you better. Most of the thin and light laptops have a RAM that’s sodded on the motherboard, which means you can’t upgrade it down the road. However, gaming laptops tend to have extra RAM slots, which allow you to expand your RAM down the line. 

2. CPU– We recommend a minimum Intel i5 or Ryzen 3 for everyday use. For heavy and demanding tasks, step up to i7 or Ryzen 5. Intel i3, the CPU in most budget notebooks, is no good for an engineering student. 

3. GPU– 3D programs such as AutoCad are GPU intensive, so a dedicated GPU is a must. Not to mention the fact that a dedicated GPU will allow you to play video games on your laptop to blow-off some steam. A wide variety of GPUs can be found in laptops in 2021, so it’s challenging to narrow it down to a minimum requirement. Hence, we recommend getting a computer with the best GPU that you can find without stretching your pocket. 

4. Storage– If you don’t store a lot of stuff offline, then even 240 GB of storage will suffice. If you like quick and offline access to all your files, consider 500 GB or 1 TB. Always opt for SSD storage for the boot drive, at least. You don’t want to wait around for your laptop to boot up while it is already on the fifth slide of the day. SSD boots much quicker than HDD. For secondary storage solutions, you can always opt for an HDD. It’s worth noting that just like the RAM, some laptops allow you to upgrade the storage. Meanwhile, others, especially the thin and light ones, don’t. 

5. Display– If you’re the type of student who travels a lot, a 13-inch screen will suit you as it’s portable. A 15-inch screen is the standard size for laptops. And 17 inch packs the most power but loses significant points on portability. 

Here’s a quick round-up of the minimum specs that we recommend to engineering students to buy the perfect laptop.r.

Processor	Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 3
RAM	8 GB
Graphics Card	Integrated for general work, Dedicated to 3D work or gaming
Storage	240 GB
Storage Type	SSD
Display Size	13 Inch for portability, 17 Inch for power, 15 Inch for the best of both worlds

Should I choose a touch screen laptop for engineering? 

We don’t recommend you to buy a touch screen laptop for engineering. It’s an obsolete feature unless you want to take digital notes or diagrams. 

Why are engineering laptops expensive as compared to college laptops? 

An engineer’s workflow needs much more power than an average college student. The power of the laptop is derived from better hardware specs like Processor, RAM and SSD. Hence, the higher price. 

Conclusion

That’s a wrap on our round-up of the best laptops for engineering students in India. The first thing you need to determine before investing in a laptop is how you’re going to use it. Some universities offer extensive access to powerful computers in their lab, where you can do all the heavy lifting. In such a case, you don’t need a heavy and powerful laptop since you’ll only be taking notes on it. On the other hand, if you like to keep everything under one roof, then you need a powerful laptop. 

These laptops tend to fetch a higher price as compared to your average college laptops. This is because engineers need immense computing power. There is no clear winner here but each laptop we’ve chosen is the best one in its budget range.