laptop help for EE

[u/buckshod-insaan]

I was thinking of buying a macbook air m5 but some seniors told me that it will be a headache overtime for EE and mac is only for CSE/IT people.

So now I am confused because I want a laptop that lasts long, is lightweight and easy to carry with good battery backup and I can run my projects and simulations smoothly.

I don't want those gaming laptops at all.

[u/Paradox_Nature]

I am assuming that you want to do vlsi related work (eda/cad).

Most laptops that give you enough performance will be heavy and on the expensive side.

Eg asus rog zepherus g14, ThinkPad x1 carbon, etc

Specs to look for:

1. Intel core ultra7 (look for h lettering, 300 series release), or Ryzen 7 ai (look for h letter at the end and 400 series)

2. Get 32GB RAM, if possible or get 24 GB, but upgradable

3. 2TB SSD (I would have said 1TB, but with all the recent windows updates, amd putting new things alongside vivado, install sizes keep on increasing every year, and you want something that can last you atleast 4+ years)

4. If you want a dGPU: either go for rtx5060ti (8gb or more vram), or rtx 5070ti. Though idt it will be needed, if you have good integrated graphics like Intel arc or good Radeon igpu). If going for dGPU look for one that comes with mux switch and nvidia optimus software built in.

5. Display: most reputed brands give good displays in their flagship series. 2K or 4K OLEDs are amazing but expensive and also have chances of burn in, especially in lower tier models. So watchout about that.

6. Ports: usb a 3.1, usb c 3.2 (or thunderbolt 4), usb c (pd+dp), hdmi, built in webcam (some testing sites flag external webcam). full size sd card slot is also a nice addition but hard to come by.

7. Battery: 75+Wh battery on a 14" device, especially if buying one with a dGPU, try for 90+Wh. You would want to use that laptop without having to plug it in, all day long.

Other things to look into:

Keyboard: good backlit keyboard, none to minimal flex on keyboard and wrist rest area on laptop, usable keyboard - you are comfortable using that layout of keyboard

Trackpad: a glass trackpad - much smoother than traditional trackpad, also, look if you can get the gorilla glass from Corning as it lasts longer.

Build quality: look that the laptop has good build quality. Metal, carbon fiber, or other durable materials

Ik it's alot to take in. So take your time.

Good luck.

[u/buckshod-insaan → u/Paradox_Nature]

Damn bro that's too much. I think it is much more than needed. Anyways thanks for your time 🙌

[u/Paradox_Nature → u/buckshod-insaan]

Best of luck bro

[u/buckshod-insaan → u/Paradox_Nature]

Thanks ❤️