Whether you are just starting an engineering major or you have ten years of experience in engineering your computer will be an extremely important tool. There is no question about that.

It doesn’t matter if you are software engineer need a programming laptop, a mechanical engineer wanting to work on CAD, or an electrical engineer who wants to make diagrams, these laptops are suitable for all.

An engineering laptop for a student is not a workstation laptop. Most of the time engineering students often get confused whether to get a normal laptop or a workstation laptop.

The thing is, if you are a student, you wouldn’t ever have the need to work a on workstation grade laptop (unless if you if it your hobby to go above and beyond). In most cases, a conventional laptop would suffice. Plus, a proper workstation laptop is expensive for many students to afford.

Best Laptop for Engineering Students

Here are a few laptops with reviews for how they stack up for engineering in a variety of price ranges and styles.

Budget Models

This is for an average engineering student who would spent most of the time researching or writing reports. You can use some engineering software, but in the end you may have to rely on your lab computers.

These many not be the best laptop for engineering students in terms of hardware, but for the price, nothing beats them.

Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575-33BM

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This Acer comes in at a nice budget price currently running for around $350 we have a machine that squeaks by with just enough to suit any beginning engineer.

Coming in an obsidian black design that resembles graphite or some rare mineral, the look is sharp. With a 15.6 inch screen and a 1920 x 1080 widescreen display you shouldn’t have too much trouble visualizing complex mechanics.

The processor is a Intel i3 7100-U, a seventh generation packing 2.4 ghz on a 3 mb cache gives you pretty good speed and power for the price.

4 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM is adequate speed for most applications. So store all the applications in the world on this 1 terabyte hard drive, it’s a mechanical drive so you don’t get the speed but who needs speed when you have hundreds of movies?

The connectivity is pretty good with a high speed 802.11ac Wi Fi, a LAN port, a 3.1 C USB port, two 3.0’s and a 2.0 to boot.

The only negative is a Intel HD 620 graphics card, not horrible but you will be limited on top end programs. At 5.3 pounds with a 12 hour battery life this is a great budget machine.

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Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575G-57D4

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This budget laptop for engineering students will run you a bit more right around the mid $500 range but Acer added a bunch of nice upgrades. Sticking with the obsidian black design this model also has a 15.6 inch screen with a 1920 x 1080 widescreen display sound familiar.

The central feature of this laptop is the dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 940 MX graphic card. You can not only enjoy light gaming, but also use some of the simulation software. With 2 gigabytes of dedicated DDR5 RAM you should have enough juice to run most engineering applications

The Intel i5 7200-U processor has a speed of upto 3.1 GHz which is just in within the perfect range for the rest of the hardware. 8 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM is also a great addition.

Rounding out the speed force we have a 256 gigabyte solid state drive for that is ten times faster than a mechanical drive speed with enough space for most people.

Acer returns with superior connectivity including Bluetooth a 3.1 USB port, two 3.0’s and a 2.0, along with a gigabit LAN port, and 802.11ac wireless card. There’s even a backlit keyboard this model has just about everything you could want packaging great value under $600 bucks.

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Mid Range

The best laptop for engineering students in this range ensure that you can last throughout your entire engineering period with ease. They are future proof and can be used for vast array of software and applications.

ASUS F556UA-UH71

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This ASUS is actually less than the last one currently in the low $600 range. It’s design is kind of a blend of two tone thought. Outside it has a nice metallic shine and from the inside it is equally as elegant.

The highlight of this model is an Intel i7 7500-U processor running from 2.7 to 3.5 ghz this is great speed and power to go along with 8 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM.

The connectivity is good with a 802.11ac Wi FI and three USB ports one each of the 3.1, 3.0 and 2.0 variety. The hard drive makes the classic bulk for agility trade as a 1 terabyte mechanical hard drive.

Engineers will enjoy the blue light vision mode for less eye harm during prolonged assignments. The graphic card is only integrated though so you might experience slow down on high tier programs and this machine isn’t for games. A good computer though the Acer has a bit more value.

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Acer Aspire E5-575G-75MD

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Another Acer machine speeds in with all of the goodies we are used to. This one however packs a bit more punch with it’s Intel i7 7500-U processor delivering efficiency with up to 3.5 ghz speed.

The Nvidia GeForce 940 MX with 2 gigabytes of dedicated DDR5 RAM returns to max out its potential for around $700 dollars. With 8 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM the speed is all here for any complex simulations or graphical engineering.

Acer brings back the full house of connectivity four USB ports 802.11ac Wi Fi and LAN. We’ve already heard all of this before in the Acer above though so I will wrap this up quick. For a bit more money we are getting a nice power leap for the price so the only question is can you afford it.

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Multimedia

These laptops for engineers offer Quad Core Intel processors. Meaning, they are powerhouses. They do not necessarily have to offer a dedicated graphics card, but most of the best laptop for engineering students in this category do offer mid range graphics cards.

Lenovo Ideapad 700 80RU00N3US

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With this model, Lenovo has combined the element of elegance with that of an optimal hardware. The laptop is sleek, slender and offers a beautiful scsreen.

At 15.6 inches with a 1920 x 1080 maximum resolution this screen kicks the visible up a notch with it’s IPS display.

Multitasking high end applications should be a breeze for the Intel i7 6700HQ processor at 2.6 ghz this CPU prioritizes performance over battery efficiency. The speed continues with 16 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM and a 128 gigabyte SSD but you get the substance too with a tag-along 1 terabyte mechanical hard drive.

The star of this model with the 4 core processor is a GeForce GTX 950 graphics card with 4 gigabytes of dedicated DDR5 RAM. With all the standard connectivity and great power the only issues are it’s mid $900 price and low 4 hour battery life.

If you are looking for the best laptop for engineering students, than you might be just in luck with this machine.

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Dell XPS9560-5000SLV-PUS

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Currently around $1,500 dollars this laptop has a lot to prove to come out a winner.

Starting fast we have a Intel i5 7300HQ quad core running up to 3.5 ghz passing the first checkpoint. Speed kill with 8 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM and a 256 gigabyte SSD.

That’s all fun and games but the real stunner is the 15.6 inch 4K ultra HD touch display with a maximum resolution of 3840 x 2160. Expect superb visuals and amazing detail for all your engineering duties making precision king.

A backlit keyboard and superior connectivity including two 3.0 USB ports and an almighty Thunderbolt port which is 8 times faster.

Backing everything up is a Nvidia GTX 1050 graphics card for high speed simulations or gaming.

At a super light 4 pounds with a sturdy aluminum frame and gorilla glass construction this model has everything you need though the value is just cutting by the finish line.

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Performance

These are basically powerhouse. They are alternatives to the Apple Macbook Pro. If you serious about your work and yo want to make a strong statement, then nothing beats these laptops.

Dell XPS9560-7001SLV-PUS

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We start off with another Dell and another obscene price tag currently around $1,800 dollars can we deliver two in a row?

The speed steps up with a Intel i7 7700HQ quad core maxing out at 3.8 ghz. We kick up the RAM to 16 gigs and also the SSD to 512 gigabytes for some pretty absurd speeds. Then the Nvidia GTX 1050 makes a comeback to ensure the 4K ultra HD touch display doesn’t go to waste.

Everything else is basically a clone of the last model so for three hundred more we are getting some nice upgrades. Once again the value is barely there on these high end Dell’s but you are getting a powerful, durable, and capable workstation.

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2017 Newest HP Pavilion 17t Touch

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If you are looking for a quad core i7 processor in a none gaming laptop, then this is the best engineer laptop for you.

This is our first 17 inch laptop in this list. This HP delivers a great value for around $1,200 bucks. The design is a elegant silver and black with metallic premium finish. The Intel i7 7700HQ quad core returns at a much cheaper price.

The speed follows in 16 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM and a 128 gigabyte SSD accompanied by your big boy 1 terabyte mechanical drive. Your stable of impressive cards is rounded out by a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 with 4 gigs of dedicated DDR5 RAM.

You might miss the Thunderbolt port with only two USB 3.1’s and a 2.0. You will also miss the display as this one is a full HD IPS antiglare screen with backlit keyboard but the resolution tops out at 1920 x 1080. This machine screams value at a nice price though it is a bit heavy at 6.07 pounds.

Compared to the Dell XPS laptop above, this laptop is much cheaper and offer the same core hardware. However, the screen is not 4K and it is not as slim and portable.

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Gaming

All work and no play make you a dull person. This statement hold the most sense when you are engineering.

You got to have a way of venting your stress out and there is not better way to do so then to get yourself a gaming laptop.

These could well be the best laptop for engineering students. They are expensive, but if I had the money, I would definitely invest in these instead of any other. You should too, if you do not mind the loud looks.

ROG Strix GL502VM 15.6″ G-SYNC VR Ready

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Here comes the gorgeous design with a streamlined silver and orange appeal the hyper cooling system is great for prolonged intense sessions. You won’t stress your intel i7 7700HQ processor with the Nvidia GTX 1060 graphics card with 6 gigabytes of dedicated DDR5 RAM.

Add that on to the 16 gigabytes of DDR5 RAM and 128 gig SSD and we have a true road runner, oh yea there’s a terabyte hard drive too. Three 3.0 USB ports along with an HDMI and a extra display port allow you to connect as many monitors as you need for the split screening you’ll want to experiment with on this powerful machine.

Though the resolution maxes out at 1920 x 1080 for around $1,400 you can’t do much better for high performance gaming and engineering.

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Acer Aspire VX 15 VX5-591G-75RM Gaming Laptop

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Our final machine and of course it’s an Acer that comes in just under one grand. The value is as striking as the design a red on black sinister sharp look that demands attention.

The 15.6 inch 1920 x 1080 full HD IPS display runs fast on our good ole intel i7 7700HQ processor(fours a charm right?). High performance follows with the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti graphics card rocking 5 gigabytes of dedicated GDDR5 RAM. This goes perfectly with the 16 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM and 256 gigabyte SSD.

A frigid cooling system matches a cool red backlit keyboard and a multitude of connectivity. Two USB 3.0s, one 2.0, HDMI, LAN, Wi Fi, and 4.0 Bluetooth round out this value laden engineer who likes to game 5.51 pound super computer.

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FAQ

What if you ARE an engineer already?

Well, if that is the case, then you should without any doubt be looking at workstation grade laptops. I have listed a few below:

There is no denying that the true definition of an engineering laptop is a workstation laptop.

Therefore, if you are a true engineer then you should seriously consider getting a workstation laptop. And by ‘true engineer’ I do not mean someone who has a degree on paper. I mean if you are really involved in hardcore CAD/simulation work, then there is nothing better than a workstation laptop.

Should you get a desktop instead?

A desktop won’t cut it for a profession that often calls for problem solving on the move. You need a laptop so you can handle any deadline anywhere. An effective lasting workstation for engineering needs almost as much power as one for professional gaming. It’s important to find a machine with all the speed, power, connectivity, and graphics that you can afford.

Although if you do feel like you won’t be moving about too much then even a desktop can suffice. However, most of the engineering students would prefer a laptop.

Should you consider Ultrabooks?

For those of you who don’t know, Ultrabooks are a breed of laptops that thin and elegant. They come in premium and budget range. Most of the Ultrabooks offers 13.3 inch screen sizes with a decent resolution.

If you do not mind the small screens, then you can get pretty nice deals for Ultrabooks. Their biggest advantage is that they highly portable.

What kind of hardware do you need?

A proper laptop for engineering student is a laptop that is an all rounder laptop. It needs to be the jack of all trades because you never know when a certain component will come in handy. Some say you do need a graphics card. Well, although that is true in most cases, you will find it uses when working on CAD or 3D software. Therefore, it is advisable to have this component as well.

CPU

Engineering programs can be very taxing on your computers performance so it’s important to have a good cpu. Your cpu is important for everything from boot times, to the speed you can generate your work.

Every second counts when you have a heavy workload so you want a cpu that can match whatever is required efficiently so you aren’t left dealing with a crash when the clock is ticking. Multiple core will also help with multitasking so you can run graphically heavy software or simulation programs like ANSYS.

RAM

The worst thing that can happen to any technology is when it moves slow. When you are working on something powered by electricity moving at the speed of light a snails pace kinda defeats the purpose.

An engineer will want to have a computer with enough RAM. Random access memory works hand in hand with your processor to perform tasks quickly. You will want at least 6 gigabytes but 8 is preferred and 12 or 16 will definitely produce a noticeable difference.

Connectivity

In this day and age speed and efficiency are nothing without the utility that your connections will provide. You need a machine that can at the very least connect to Wi-Fi for basic internet. Bluetooth is also really nice for connecting all of your other devices without plugging in.

When you do need to plug in you want multiple USB ports preferably of the high speed 3.0 variety along with a good LAN connection. An optical drive can sometimes be necessary for running programs on cd’s or dvd’s but the industry is steadily moving away from that being a necessity.

When given a choice between an optical drive or a slim profile, go for the slim profile. You will find that useful in the long run in place like a big campus.

Screen

One of the most important things to take into account for the best laptop for engineering student is the quality of your screen. You want to get a screen that’s large enough for you to see thing in intricate detail.

Around 14 inches might be the minimum but the size won’t matter as much as long as you have a nice resolution. 1366 x 768 is pushing it so I would recommend at least 1920 x 1080 but the higher the better.

If you work outside a matte screen will also be worth looking into over a glossy one that can lead to intense glare. When it comes to screen size we walk a tight rope between size and portability. An engineers laptop must be vivid as a sunset, yet agile as a panther for one who seeks to rule the concrete jungle.

A few more things to consider for the best laptop for engineering students.

• Dedicated Graphics Card: This will help for rendering quickly in applications like MATLAB and CAD
• Sturdy Design: You want a laptop that can travel well without worrying about excessive force or accidents ruining all of your work.
• Operating System: Both Mac and Windows can work for engineering, but while Mac’s are versatile, efficient, and easy to use once you get used to them. Windows will work with a much larger variety of applications and have a lower price point so they are recommended for any beginner.

The post Best Laptop for Engineering Students | Engineering Notebooks 2017 (May 2017) appeared first on Laptop for Programming.

Lenovo Ideapad 310 80SM00JSUS is a decent laptop but not perfectly on par with the current market standards.

However, if you are looking for a laptop an Intel Core i7 processor (U series) along with an SSD drive and a decent amount of RAM, then this is a great laptop to have.

Design

Lenovo chose to go with a all black color scheme for this model. The outside feature a miniature dappled dot design to switch it up a bit.

Overall this monotone 15.6 inch has a pretty plain design. It is super thin though and weighs in at an appropriately light 4.84 pounds.

All the ports and drives are on the sides like most models. Not for the style but most people buy laptops for the interior. Lenovo took that to heart.

Hardware Configuration

The hardware for Lenovo Ideapad 310 80SM00JSUS is only for professional office work. In terms of programming and development work, you should be carry those at moderate level so long as you are not working with graphics.

Processor

Here we have an Intel i7 6500U processor. A 6th generation model with considerable power. 2.5 ghz makes for a nice mid range speed with possible boosting up to 3.1 ghz.

The U series is great for an efficient low energy model which is great for the battery life. The processor has 2 cores and 4 threads so multitasking is not its best aspect but you won’t be lagging behind for basic applications.

A pretty good speed for some mid range gaming but unfortunately, this laptop does not have a good enough graphics card to go along.

Graphics

Don’t get confused this machine is only made for casual gaming or graphics design. I want to stress casual because the graphics card is an integrated Intel HD 520 which won’t be breaking any power records.

For something like League of Legends you should get really good frame speeds. You should expect some slow down if slaying in a game like Witcher 3 is your forte.

Lenovo stresses this models streaming capabilities but that will depend on the game because higher end games with the added streaming tax will probably leave you extremely frustrated with your purchase.

RAM

This model should have 12 GB of DDR4 RAM though so if you get anything different you should talk to Lenovo.

There are a few variations for this model make sure you figure out whether you are getting the 8 gig with DDR4 or the 12 gig with DDR3 RAM either way you are forgoing a superior model for more RAM or vice versa.

With that said, the difference is not too large but 12 gigs will give you better performance if you are into video editing. 8 gigs is surely fast enough and should complement the rest of the hardware quite well.

Thanks to the limitations of the graphics card, an upgrade won’t do too much for you. The DDR4 runs at a lower voltage for faster speed so most people will be good either way.

Storage

I feel one of the major selling points for this model is the 256 gigabyte solid state drive.

This drive gives up capacity for a much faster overall speed for your computation. In comparison to a mechanical hard drive the speed is like a high school cross country runner against an olympic runner.

Along with the other components the drive makes this model incredibly energy efficient. You should get better battery life than the majority of other laptop models.

256 gigs is a decent amount of space to have and you should be able to store most of your programs and files since the overall limitations on the hardware should also limit the size of the programs you run to a point.

Screen

Lenovo went with the pretty standard 15.6 inch screen with full HD capabilities.

Nobody will ever say the screen stands out but it delivers what you would expect. The maximum resolution is only 1366 x 768 but the detail is still pretty nice for what it is.

This is not the laptop that I would recommend for people who have a primary requirement for a great screen.

Additional Features

Lenovo brought their briefcase for this laptop. We have three USB ports one 3.0 and two 2.0’s which is kind of poor for the price point.

There is an HDMI and VGA point for connecting your extra monitors or tv screen. A RJ45 port for high speed lan connectivity along with a 802.11 a/c wireless card for your Wi-Fi.

We have a decent camera for middle of the road resolution web camming. Running Windows 10 home edition their’s thankfully not too much bloatware installed.

There is a decent Dolby digital stereo system that doesn’t sound quite like the name would suggest.

A media card reader and a DVD/CDRW re writable optical drive round out the list of this models features.

Value for Money

I’m not quite sure what Lenovo was thinking with this model when you look at the price, though I guess people are buying it so I’m not sure how mad to get.

Actually I know, pretty mad makes the most sense at about $750 you would expect a laptop to do something really well but this one is pretty average.

You could say you are paying for the extra 4 gigs of RAM or the i7 processor and the SSD hard drive but none of these thing are big enough to make the entire picture worth it.

It wouldn’t be hard to find a computer a step more powerful than this one for a hundred or even two hundred dollars less. Anyone with a bit of computer savvy would be able to find a cheaper model and upgrade it to a much more powerful model spending the same amount of money.

Some examples of great values laptops include ASUS F556UA-EB71, and Acer Aspire VX VX5-591G-75RM.

Lenovo Ideapad 310 80SM00JSUS Review Conclusion

As you probably guessed from the last section the answer is not great. Lenovo in this model chose to play a game many people aren’t a big fan of. The game of flashy numbers.

The i7 and the 12 gigs of RAM might make people think they’re getting a nice upgrade over a 500 dollar range competitor, and that’s criminal considering anyone with decent know how can pick up and install 12 gigs of RAM pretty easily.

One good thing though is the model is extremely energy efficient. Overall though this laptop is a decent low mid tier unit. Those who are developers and work especially with video editing would appreciate the overall specs of this laptop.

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If you are looking for a budget laptop, then this Acer Aspire ES1-572-31XL should be top in your list. Why? because within the Ultra budget range, this laptop manages to fit an Intel Core i3 processor.

Now, there are many other laptops in this price range. However, most of them either feature an Intel Pentium or a low end AMD processor.

Unfortunately, those processor are lacking even for the most basics of tasks. Therefore, for anyone who is remotely serious about work like a beginner programmer should at least invest in a Core i3 processor.

Let us explore this laptop further in this Acer Aspire ES1-572-31XL review.

Design

This Acer says I am all about business and by that I mean it’s not going to astound anyone by its look.

With a 15.6 inch screen on an all black body this model is not going to win any beauty contest. With a matte finish the design is quite basic made for someone who doesn’t want to stand out when they are handling their business. Weighing 4 pounds, Acer only deviates from black for the keyboard letters and it’s brand logo.

That type of dedication to a motif is cool in one way because it stands out by being so plain in a world of multicolored designs. Many of the input’s are on the back which might be inconvenient to people used to them on the sides.

Hardware Configuration

Being an ultra budget laptop, your expectations from Acer Aspire ES1-572-31XL should be fair. You cannot expect this laptop to function like Acer Aspire VX5-591G-75RM or any other high end laptop.

This is a basic laptop built for light tasks. If you are beginner developer, programmer or even a beginner designer, then this is a perfect laptop.

I would say the hardware configuration for this laptop is fit for any student.

Processor

This model runs an Intel i3 6300-U processor with the U series being known for efficiency over performance. Despite that, we still have a nice 2.3 Ghz dual core processor that can go toe-to-toe with some of the lower end i5 processors.

Here we have the little engine that doesn’t have crazy power or speed but it shouldn’t disappoint anyone willing to quell their expectations. With a 3 mb cache Acer has created a good low end machine.

Graphics

With an integrated Intel HD 520 video card don’t expect to impress your friends with high speed graphics.

This will run fine with lower end games such as league of legends but with the cards limitations along with the other specs on this model you won’t be able to run many high end games even at their lowest settings.

This Acer is not recommended for any type of graphics work but can still handle some simple applications. In a nutshell, we have a machine that will do well until it reaches programs made for hardcore enthusiasts or professionals where the ground gets shaky.

RAM

Listed with only 4 gigabytes of DDR3L RAM lets you know that this isn’t the fastest computer you’ll ever use. Most laptops have moved on to DDR4L by now.

With that said the only major difference between 3L and 4 is the 3L has a lower voltage requirement so it’s more efficient and therefore doesn’t run as hot. Most people won’t be able to notice the difference however since it is only 4 gigabytes of RAM it will still experience some slow down depending on what you are doing.

It should be fine for the basics such as web surfing and word processing though. You can add more RAM should you need, but for basic work, this should suffice.

Storage

Acer did not skimp on the hard drive. As I said earlier, this model is all about business so they packed in a large 1 terabyte hard drive. This ensures that you will be able to store all your files for a long time making this a great laptop for someone who works on the go.

It’s a classic hard drive so it will cut into your speed and battery life a bit but shouldn’t be too much of an issue with the U series processor. This hard drive is perfect for someone who want’s to store plenty of songs and movies to keep them entertained between work projects.

Screen

Here we have a 15.6 in full HD LED lit screen. Pretty standard for most laptops till you get to the higher end so their shouldn’t be many problems here.

The max resolution is only 1366 x 768 which is fine for most people. Applications are a nice size at that resolution on a 15.6 inch screen. Watch out when using this computer in high sunlight because it is pretty reflective and you might struggle a bit to find the right brightness level.

Additional Features

It’s clear Acer looked around the block at it’s competitors when it made this model because it has just about everything you would expect. We have one 3.0 USB and two 2.0 ports with the 3.0 being located on the back of the model.

The RJ45 LAN connection is also located on the back. This model has a decent 8x DVD RW burning optical drive which should average around fifteen minutes to burn a CD with 80 minutes of music. A media card reader and webcam are also included.

Their is also an HDMI input for connection with other electronics. Acer adopted a just enough philosophy for this model.

Value for Money

This is by no means a perfect laptop and might require a bit of tinkering by someone who knows about computers before you will be really happy with it.

It runs kind of slow out of the box but with little upgrades like adding some RAM and maybe switching over to a SSD we have a really nice well performing computer.

However as it is at $299 dollars, this model will still suffice for anyone who just wants to do the simple things like web surfing, spreadsheets, and video watching.

The highlight of this laptop is the fact that it has a core i3 processor at an Ultra-budget range.

The value is there for anyone on a budget who will be happy with a laptop for basic activities before any upgrades. Just don’t expect a super hero when your paying for a repair man.

Acer Aspire ES1-572-31XL Review Conclusion

I hope you don’t get too angry with me using the word business again because that’s what this laptop is for a business on a budget. Upgrades are required if you want to operate at a high speed.

Though that shouldn’t matter much if you only plan to use it to write up documents, write beginner level codes, and watch movies. The ports on the back might be weird for some and hard to reach but anyone used to using a desktop shouldn’t mind too much.

This is especially true if you are working from a desk. All your cords will look less junky than most laptops with side ports. It’s a plain yet somehow unique laptop where you get exactly what you pay for in terms of efficiency on a budget with a lot of space.

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Any aspiring or accomplished programmer knows that the most essential tool they can have is a trusty laptop. A laptop is something with which you can carry your coding and developing environment wherever you go.

There are many types of laptops for programming. There are laptops for programming students, and even for web developers.

Summary

The Light Weight Option for Programmers

An Ultrabook is one of the best ways to go about this as they are made to focus on being lightweight while giving up on some unnecessary hardware.

Still it’s important to make sure you find an Ultrabook that matches the type of work that you want to accomplish. The dream programmers laptop would be light, stylish, and fast, along with having a variety of special features that will allow you to accomplish your goals comfortably and efficiently.

Word of Advise

With all that said, there are other important things you want to factor into your purchase.

Not all laptops are created equally for programming since programming is such a massive field. The first thing you want to focus on is what type of programming you will be doing.

There are basically two tiers to think about when purchasing a laptop for programming. The first tier is for your basic programming like coding where you don’t necessarily need graphical power.

The second tier is for graphical, and scientific programmers, this level of programming requires a certain base line of power that every laptop won’t be able to reach.

So depending on what you intend to do, you might find yourself looking at a vastly different array of models. I will be differentiating each model into what tier it can handle so make sure you know which one you belong to.

Features to Look Out For

Before I go further into the features of an Ultrabook it’s important to highlight the other features a programmer should be looking out for.

First and foremost you want a nice keyboard so you can quickly and effectively code. You also probably want a nice screen with a matte finish, as they are much better for your eyes than glossy screens especially if you plan to work outside in situations with heavy sunlight.

Speed is necessary for your general efficiency, while it won’t effect basic coding much it’s still nice to have and especially important for graphics programming. Weight is also a consideration for traveling purposes as well as when you are working from a less than comfortable position.

Ultrabooks are a term coined by Intel for laptops that fit a very specific size to weight spectrum. This is important for programmers as they are often traveling to different work sites and need a model that can comfortably fit in their lap.

Ultrabooks are known for walking the tightrope between portability and functionality that make them preferred for many mobile programmers. Most Ultrabooks aren’t made for gaming so you shouldn’t expect much from there unless you purchase a laptop made for the second tier of programming.

With that said, they are not hardcore simulation laptops. That department is reserved by the engineering laptops. However, you can work on amateur project easily.

Here are some Ultrabooks in different price ranges along with a short review to help you make an intelligent purchase.

Best Ultrabook For Programming Reviews

Let us now have a look at what the best ultrabook for programming is. Depending on your budget and your needs, we have broken down this list into different price range. This should facilitate you in choosing the right one.

Mid Range

These are incredible machines. They are less powerful version of the premium Ultrabooks. Although they lack in graphical power, they offer an exception core performance. Needless to say, they look gorgeous. When comparing to conventional laptops of the same price range, they are easily the better choice.

If you can live with the 13.3 inch profile, you will not find a more portable, elegant, and versatile machine as compared to the ultrabooks below.

In terms of programming, these Ultrabooks are suited for extreme coding and development work so long as you don’t work with intense graphics. They can run Photoshop or other professional software at a rookie level.

ASUS ZenBook UX330UA-AH5Q – Recommended Mid Range Ultrabook for Programming

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This Zenbook is one of the best ultrabook for programming both in terms of design and price. It is incredibly light and incredibly thin but don’t let that fool you. With a full aluminum build it is also incredibly sturdy. Aluminum matches the color of this silver model with a black back lit chiclet style keyboard the overall design is very nice for programming.

With a quality high definition 3200 x 1800 on a 13.3 inch screen the visuals are superb. The hardware packs speed and power with a 2.5 7th generation i5 processor and 8 gb of DDR3 RAM.

The hard drive is a 256 gigabyte solid state drive for super fast speed and a boot time around five seconds. The battery life is nice at around 9 hours at average use.

The video card is nothing special but you will be able to do a full range of tier 1 programming. ASUS included two USB 3.0 ports a sd reader and webcam. At the upper $700 dollar range this is a powerful fast model focusing on superb visuals along with being extremely thin and only 2.6 pounds.

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HP Spectre Pro x360 G2 2-in-1

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The first HP on our list with an alluring name that matches it’s design. This 2 in 1 will be your gorgeous new best friend, with a silver finish that accentuates smooth everything about this models design is crisp.

A 13.3 inch IPS full HD IPS screen and a 1920 x 1080 maximum resolution create a surprisingly visual screen for it’s size. With a 2.4 ghz i5 processor 8 gigabytes of RAM and a 128 gb solid state drive this is a super tablet that reaches into the good laptop region.

Coming in at 3.26 pounds with a backlit keyboard and three 3.0 USB ports this is a mobile workhorse. Windows 10 professional is also a nice upgrade over home. Still it isn’t made for graphics programming or any heavy duty as it can overheat. Another issue might be hitting the touchpad while you are working with the keyboard dependent on your hand size. Overall we have an extremely capable 2 in 1 for tier 1 programming around $700 dollars.

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Dell XPS 9350-1340SLV

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This Dell Ultrabook for programming follows the last one as far as functioning as an extremely light and thin machine. A 13.3 inch screen with a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 gives it a super clear display. The 400 nit screen allows superb visibility even in heavy sunlight.

The design is built with function in mind over style with a aluminum and carbon fiber build. The machine is sturdy and also runs pretty cool. With a i5 2.5 ghz processor and 8 gigabytes of LPDDR3 RAM the speed and power are adequate for any tier 1 programming. Dell also fitted this model with a 128 gigabyte solid state drive for superior boot times. Weighing in at 2.8 poinds this light laptop includes two 3.0 USB ports.

The standout feature of this model is it’s extremely long battery life topping out at 18 hours of use. The touch screen display is also really nice. This is a highly functional model lacking in some of the features or space of comparable low $800 models but it makes up for it with a smart highly efficient build it will handle most programs, stopping just short of the most highly intensive.

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High End

These are cream of the Ultrabooks and they are exactly what Ultrabooks are supposed to be. They are expensive, but they have the best looks and hardware in the market. Featuring a QHD or 4K screen, the following laptops are not just the best Ultrabook for programming, but so much more.

If you want to make a shining statement about yourself at work or among your professional circle, then these are the machines to get.

ASUS ZenBook Pro UX501VW-US71

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Now this is more of what you expect in a high end laptop. The sleek silver design highlights an aluminum body that serves for a solid, sturdy, and shiny build. With a 15.6 inch screen it is a bit heavier than many Ultrabooks at 5 pounds but that’s still surprisingly light for how much power ASUS packed into this baby.

This not your average Ultrabook. You can consider this as a one of a kind workstation Ultrabook. You can do all sorts of graphic design work, video editing and even gaming.

We have a IPS display with a 3840 x 2160 resolution for an almost unreal amount of detail you will actually be able to touch with thanks to touchscreen capabilities. With an Intel i7 2.6 ghz quad core processor and 16 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM your imagination is the only obstacle.

An Nvidia GTX960M graphics card gives you high end programming capabilities. This machine also has a Thunderbolt USB port, a 3.1 USB port and three more 3.0 USB ports for maximum connectivity. Currently in the upper $1300 range this model has a high end price tag but actually delivers a ton of value. Covering through tier 2 programing this is a great model for a professional who doesn’t want any limitations on their programming desires.

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Dell XPS9360-4841SLV

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For our first high end laptop we have a pretty powerful Dell. A silver aluminum build that doesn’t set any records for design. We have a 13.3 inch screen on a professional yet bland color scheme, the screen almost blends in with the edges for a nice wide screen effect. Visibility come at a premium on this model with 3200 x 1800 maximum resolution infinity touch display.

The power and speed are very apparent with a intel i7 7500U processor and 8 gigabytes of LPDDR3 RAM. We also thankfully have a 256 gigabyte solid state drive for hyper fast boot times. Sadly there is only a integrated intel 620 graphics card so you shouldn’t buy this for tier 2 programming. Heavy duty programs will suffer lag and shoot your cpu up to a hundred percent. The keyboard also doesn’t necessarily pop out and the webcam is in a weird spot at the lower left of the screen.

The weight is only 2.7 pounds and the price is around the mid 1200’s. This is an capable model but you are definitely paying a bit for the visual spectacle that this laptop delivers. A great build and super portable but it stops just short of full functionality for a programmer.

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HP Spectre x360 15.6 Inch Convertible Laptop

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Our final model does it’s very best to impress and sitting around $1,600 dollars it better, luckily HP did a great job delivering on the price tag. With it’s 15.6 inch screen and touch screen capabilities this machine transcends traditional 2 in 1’s as a fully functional convertible laptop. The screen has a maximum resolution of 3840 x 2160 for superb visuals. This model comes in a super stylish ash silver fit for an alien invader.

This Ultrabook for programming is an alternative to the Microsoft Surface Book.

Stylistically perfect for the programmer on the go who wants to look like they’re fresh off a Star Trek set at a moderately light 4.4 pounds. The hardware packages performance with speed featuring a Intel i7 2,7 ghz 7500U processor and 16 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM you will be able to run most programs efficiently. The 512 gigabyte solid state drive and the GeForce 940MX with 2 gigabytes of dedicated RAM ensure speed and crisp visuals for programming whether it’s basic coding or advanced graphics.

Featuring a USB 3.1 C, a first generation 3.1 and two 3.0 USB ports connectivity is no issue. With a backlit keyboard and a stylus included this laptop has everything a programmer could need in a Ultrabook that will stay current for years to come.

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Budget Range

Ultrabook is a loose term. When someone talks about Ultrabooks, the first thing that comes into your mind is a premium and expensive laptop. Although that is what the original Ultrabooks subscribe to, the definition now has changed.

Any laptop that is thin and light and promises a great battery life can be considered an Ultrabook. Fortunately for us, the best ultrabooks for programming can also be found in budget range. These laptops have weak hardware; however, they are the most portable machines there are.

Here are our choice of best ultrabook for programming at a budget range.

ASUS VivoBook X540SA

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ASUS VivoBook X540SA comes in with a very budget friendly model currently in the upper $200 dollar price range. Is this laptop an Ultrabook? Not really. However, it is the closest thing that comes to being a budget Ultrabook.

We have a nice silver finish that gives this laptop a steel machine like appeal. The screen is 15.6 inches with a maximum resolution of 1366 x 768. This will do for most programmers as the size of the screen should ensure that everything is visible. This model uses a chiclet style keyboard which is nice for typing you should feel every key well to encourage speed and accuracy.

The processor speed, RAM, and video card are all on the low end which will limit you to only tier 1 programming. We have 500 gb HDD which is great for space but poor for speed, you will likely want to upgrade to a SDD for more efficiency.

The weight is decently light at 4.5 pounds and we have a glossy screen along with one all important USB 3.0. The battery life is nice for the hard drive still giving you about 10 hours of life. ASUS provides a baseline model without any of the extra features you might want but we still have all the basics and everything a tier 1 programmer needs on a budget.

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Acer S3 Series Flagship Model

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Here we have an incredibly thin model also sporting a silver finish. The 13.3 inch screen pushes out a maximum 1366 x 768 resolution which isn’t bad since any higher might make things frighteningly small considering the screen size.

The i3 processor and 4 gigs of ram will limit you to tier 1 programming but should be pretty efficient for that level. The key feature of this model is it has two hard drives, a 300 gb SATA drive and also a 20 gb solid state drive.

This means we can get the hyper fast speed of a SSD with the large storage capabilities of your traditional hard drive. Along with the two 3.0 USB drives this laptop has some nice features for the mid $400 dollar range. Weighing in at only 3 pounds we have a really nice plug and use Ultrabook that checks off all the boxes for tier 1 programming highlighting speed and weight.

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The post Best Ultrabook for Programming | Premium Coding Notebook (May 2017) appeared first on Laptop for Programming.

Winning #1 New Releases is not an easy achievement to have on Amazon.com. Yet, Acer Aspire VX5-591G-75RM has swept the market with great top of the line and up to date hardware.

This is a gaming laptop. For most you out there, when you hear about a gaming laptop, the first thing that comes in your mind is a big, bulky, and an expensive machine. However, that is far from the truth when it comes to this laptop.

This laptop has on of the best price point in the market. Needless to mention, being a gaming laptop, it can handle not just all sorts of AAA titles, but also hardcore professional work.

Design

Welcome to warp stage 9 this Acer Aspire VX5-591G-75RM model looks like it came from a planet inhabited the aliens that you want to be friends with for your own safety.

A sleek black and red outside with a silver hatch makes you wonder what they did with the rest of the Cylon spaceship.

If you don’t get that reference you should of watched Battlestar Galactica long ago but Acer has you covered with this sharp edged 15.6 inch screen. At 5.51 pounds with fan exhausts that belong on a Corvette and a red back lit keyboard that is nearly inaudible the design is gorgeous.

Hardware Configuration

It goes without saying that gaming laptops are the cream of their brands. They are the most powerful portable machines that you can get. Of course, some would argue that workstation laptops are great, but unfortunately, they are not as great for gaming.

Acer Aspire VX5-591G-75RM is one of the latest gaming laptops to have hit the market. Therefore, it features all the up to date hardware including seventh generation processor, 1000 series NVIDIA graphics and even an SSD.

Processor

Acer follows up the style with a powerful 7th generation Intel i7-7700HQ processor. Clocking in at 2.8 Ghz with a max boost of 3.8 Ghz we have a super fast performance tuned processor focused on power.

With 4 cores and a 6 mb cache move over Superman the Flash has a new challenger and I just might bet on this processor. At the lower end of Intel’s HQ processor line this machine still packs a pretty considerable punch that all except the most stringent of perfectionists should appreciate.

This processor answers the question of multitasking with what’s next?

Graphics

Here we have a top of the line NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4 GB GDDR5 VRAM that will make any videophile cry at the beauty. You can’t do much better for a laptop.

Whatever game or graphics program you want to run on the market this card will be able to run it and run it well.

The card has it’s own source of RAM guaranteeing high performance even when the on board RAM is severely taxed. GDDR5 VRAM is also in the top tier of RAM. In short, expect greatness from this card and you won’t be disappointed.

RAM

Acer Aspire VX5-591G-75RM packs 16 gigs of DDR4 RAM which is really fast and ample when it comes to laptops. DDR4 runs at a lower voltage and reaches higher speeds than the more common DDR3  and with 16 gigs you probably won’t have to worry about any upgrades.

With the RAM and video card combined this laptop will run games at least five times better than a laptop with a intel HD card. Any avid gamer or graphics designer will enjoy putting the RAM through it’s paces and seeing just how far they can go.

Storage

This model comes with a 256 GB solid state drive ensuring super fast load times along with a pretty good amount of space. 256 Gigs is enough for most people as that will allow you to store a bunch of games packed with mods without needing an external hard drive.

Loading from a SSD also allows this laptops drive to read date ten times faster than a standard mechanical hard drive would allow. You will have to put a decent amount of effort into filling up this drive so all but the most compulsive down loader’s should find this laptop to be just fine.

That being said you might want to pick up an external hard drive since high quality software often demands a lot of space.

Screen

Acer created a 15.6 stylish screen with excellent visibility. The full HD widescreen display looks great at 1920 x 1080 resolution everything is very crisp. The IPS display offers a super fast response time and vibrant colors.

You might see some colors you’ve never seen before thanks to the high quality display. Definitely made for professional level graphic design.

Additional Features

I hope you haven’t eaten recently because this laptop is packed full of goodies. Dual fans ensure a cool run for the powerful parts. Acer True Harmony technology and two built in stereo speakers mean superb sound.

We have four USB ports one 3.1 type C two 3.0’s and a single 2.0 for whichever speed you require. There is an HD 1280 x 720 webcam along with a built in digital microphone for streaming.

A 802.11 ac Wi-Fi card with 2×2 MU-MIMO technology for connection speeds up to 5 Ghz along with a 10/100/1000 gigabit ethernet RJ45 port for ultra high speed LAN connection. An HDMI port and  4.0 Bluetooth technology round out this machines extensive list of features.

Value for Money

At about a $1,000 retail Acer has created a product that is well worth it’s decently high tag. A high quality laptop for anyone who is serious about gaming or graphic design who doesn’t want to break the bank.

The stylish design, power, speed and extras make a complete package that feels pretty right at that price point. One issue is it doesn’t come with an HDD cable which you might need if you want to play games that are installed on a separate hard drive. I don’t think that’s a big enough issue to discount the value though as it’s pretty amazing to have this much power in a laptop.

It compares favorably to many of the Alienware laptops at their higher price points which should please anyone looking for a mid tier gaming laptop that’ll play the most modern games at medium – high settings without issues.

When it comes to using this laptop as a workstation, you will not be disappointed. It is suitable for intense development work including game development.

Acer Aspire VX5-591G-75RM Review Conclusion

Acer’s attempt at a high quality gaming laptop is a valiant effort at the very least. For the price you couldn’t build a much more powerful desktop which is impressive in it’s own right considering the monitor is built in.

Perfect for the gamer on the go who doesn’t mind sacrificing a bit of power for maneuverability. It’s rare to find a laptop that will suffice for streamer but Acer has done it with this model.

You won’t be able to run absolutely everything at high specs or store all the data that high quality games might demand but you can’t do much better for a grand.

The post Acer Aspire VX5-591G-75RM Review | Gaming Workstation Laptop appeared first on Laptop for Programming.

ASUS is not stranger to making some of the highest quality laptops in the market. Asus F555UA-EB51 is yet another example of a great mid range multimedia laptop.

It is great for mid-level professional work. You can surely perform coding, graphic designing, and even video editing but to a limit.

Let us find out more about this laptop in this Asus F555UA-EB51 review.

Design

ASUS chose to use it’s standard reflective black spiral for this model. I like the look as it looks great when light hits it but sadly it doesn’t extend to the inside where we have the traditional gray and black. There is a nice little pattern around the keyboard though.

With a 15.6 inch screen and rounded edges ASUS stays consistent with their design choices. Weighing in at 5.1 pounds with a smart gesture multi-touch touchpad we have something kind of generic.

Generic isn’t always bad though as the body is fingerprint resistant.

Hardware Configuration

Being a mid range laptop, it is suitable for a multitude of work. If you are looking for a laptop for low level tasks like word processing, internet surfing, this isn’t the right laptop for you because it can do so much more.

If you are looking to perform moderate levels of professionals tasks like using Photoshop, editing videos etc, then this is the right laptop for you.

Processor

This model comes in with a 2.3 Ghz Core i5-6198DU processor. With a twin core we have the best performing i5 processor in it’s range though it is also the worst as far as value for the price.

So we basically have the Avatar of i5 processors. A 3 Mb cache and four threads this processor is geared for efficiency over performance.

It can be boosted up to 2.8 Ghz and with two cores is pretty decent for multitasking. However if you are like me you probably don’t want to over pay for decent.

Graphics

Here we have a dedicated integrated graphics card which is not something the serious gamer wants to hear.

You shouldn’t have too many problems playing low end games thanks to the processor and ram but anything high end will have frame rate issues if you can even install it. The card is basically a Intel HD Graphics 520 which is merely serviceable with no room for upgrade.

Definitely not a gazelle more like a possum some might consider it cute but you aren’t far off from a skunk.

RAM

ASUS gave this model 8 gigabytes of RAM which is pretty much the industry standard for laptops in the 400 to 600 dollar price range. The RAM is of the older DDR3L kind which has low voltage requirements so it runs well with the efficient i5-6198DU processor.

Because of the graphics card this laptop is not really for gaming so this should be fine for all of your web searching, video watching, and word processing needs. You might want to upgrade if do intense video editing.

Storage

This model has a huge 1 terabyte mechanical hard drive, perfect for storing humongous amounts of date. The mechanical hard drive as usual will cut into you computers overall speed in comparison to a emmc or solid state drive.

That is a small sacrifice to make if you are interested in storing anything and everything for a long time.

Great for anyone who really enjoys downloading videos and applications. We have to trade all that space for some battery life though this model tops out around six hours off charger.

Screen

A 15.6 inch screen with a 16 by 9 ratio we have a screen that looks bright and clear in low light. The resolution however is 1366 x 768 by default with a maximum of 1920 x 1080 which sounds nice but you will probably want to run at the native resolution to avoid slowdown.

We have full HD capabilities in the screen so it is nice for watching any 1080p movies without much drop off. The backlit LED screen shouldn’t disappoint unless you are dealing with a lot of sun because it is quite reflective.

Additional Features

ASUS went in a interesting direction when it comes to special features on this model. We thankfully have two 3.0 USB ports for the ten times speed over the singular 2.0 USB port.

A VGA for connecting an additional monitor along with an HDMI which I love for watching movies on my TV. A DL DVDR/CD RW optical drive which is really nice for reading and burning media quickly.

A VGA web cam along with your RJ45 for LAN connectivity and a 802.11 AC wireless card for high speed connection. Here it gets interesting as ASUS makes a big deal about their IceCool technology that keeps the area around your touch pad cool and under body temperature which doesn’t seem like a big issue to me but to each its own.

ASUS Sonicmaster also promises customizable high quality sound for clarity and volume which also depends on the buyers preferences. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the ASUS 1 year accidental damage warranty.

Value for Money

Now having reviewed many laptops this one having a price point at almost $600 is pretty interesting. We have a product that has comparable specs with other laptops in that range but it is kind of on the lower end.

I feel you are paying a bit more for the processor and the ASUS exclusive features than I would like. All that aside the price isn’t horrible for a mid range machine. The speed, efficiency, and hard drive space are all really nice though you could pay a little bit more and possibly get an i7 processor.

When I think of this laptop I flashback to grade school when you get a test back and you wanted that one more point to bump up your B to an A but alas it wasn’t to be. Here we have a model that feels like maybe it should be a bit less but you still can’t really say its bad for the price.

HP 14-an013nr Review Conclusion

Once again ASUS delivers a solid product. It’s not something any professional gamer would want to stream on but for the every man who just wants a stable machine to get some work done it doesn’t disappoint.

The high quality sound and cool wrist rest area are interesting ideas that will probably appeal to niche consumers though many won’t really care.

Overall though there isn’t much to complain about we have a good mid range model maybe it could be twenty bucks less but I don’t know if that is worth making a big fuss over.

The post Asus F555UA-EB51 Review | Multimedia Laptop appeared first on Laptop for Programming.

If there is such thing as an Ultra-budget laptop, HP 14-an013nr is it.

It is one of the cheapest conventional laptop that you can get in the market. Of course it is not a very powerful system. However, for all the essential tasks like word processing or internet surfing, there is nothing better.

Is this laptop suitable for programming or other professional tasks? Not at all.

Read this HP 14-an013nr review to learn more.

Design

In this laptop HP has created a stylish affordable machine with a streaked silver color. The styling reflect a shine HP seems to like in their laptops.

The design on the outside flows into the inside giving you an overall feel like you are working on something special which you wouldn’t expect from something so conveniently priced. Coming in at pretty light 3.86 pounds with a 14 inch screen in the design aspect this laptop is a clear contender.

Hardware Configuration

Here is the thing, you cannot expect wonders from this laptop. This is an ultra-budget laptop so you must keep your expectations low.

With that said, it is the best seller laptop for a reason. The hardware that it features for the price is one of a kind in the market.

Processor

This laptop sports a AMD 1.8 GHz E2-7110 quad core processor. However the 1.8 Ghz is the top end so it can’t be boosted any further. With four cores this laptop should be made for multitasking except with the low top speed that’s going to depend on what you are multitasking.

This processor is a slight upgrade over the 6110 model focusing on high performance for programs that run on the low end of the spectrum. It’s great for bragging to your friends about how you have a quad core but you might not want to actually let them use it because the limitations will become apparent. Nonetheless the processor will suit you just fine for basic work like web surfing.

Graphics

Here we have an integrated Radeon R2 graphics card. Your eyes might light up like oh name brand that is great, so I have to stop you right there. While it is name brand, the Radeon R2 is among the slowest of all name brand cards.

It will reliably work on many open source games and a few on the low end like League of Legends or DOTA 2, but as you ramp up the settings the frame rate will drop.

At 128 units of stream processing you could multiply that by 4 and still not reach the average for many cards on the market. So temper your name brand expectations and look for decent not excellent results.

RAM

With 4 Gigabytes of DDR3L – SDRAM you might want to take the tortoises approach to winning and races when comparing to the competition. It kind of makes me tear up as someone who grew up in the nineties but 4 gigs of RAM isn’t much these days.

It will suffice for basic tasks like watching videos but you may want to upgrade to 8 gigs. This model maxes out at 16 gigs which is pretty good if you are willing to spend a bit extra to get some RAM when you purchase. Otherwise don’t expect to move ultra fast although in conjunction with the quad core and the price you can’t get too mad.

Storage

Depending on the person this could be a deal breaker as this model comes with a 32 gb EMMC drive. That’s extremely small by today’s standard though it does have some benefits. EMMC are faster than standard hard drives but slower than a solid state drive so that’s always nice with the processor.

The 32 gigs will actually end up being a bit lower with the operating system installed so it depends on what type of files you’ll be saving. That is only enough space to fit about 10 movies at a decent resolution.

I would probably recommend purchasing an external hard drive with this model if you are serious about not having to uninstall things often.

Screen

14 inches of full HD WLED goodness, the screen is not one of the places they skimped on in this model. Running with a max resolution of 1920 x 1080 this laptop will be as clear and crisp as it much higher priced brethren.

You might still want to run it at 1366 x 768 as on a 14 inch screen the max resolution might require binoculars or at least 20/20 vision to see everything you need to. However, using the FHD will significantly improve your multi-tasking experience.

One thing to keep in mind though is to be wary of glare, Brightview screens are great for low light but extremly reflective in the sun.

Additional Features

Here we start to see the price point come into play a little bit but this little guy isn’t devoid of features. We have a USB 3.0 along with two USB 2.0 connections so their is a little room for that one thing where you need the high speed.

There is a VGA port for connecting an extra monitor along with an HDMI port for everything that provides. Theirs a cleverly placed media reader on the front along with a light up RJ45 for LAN connectivity.

A wireless 802.11 A/C is also installed for high speed wireless. We even have a camera for web camming. The big thing were missing though is an optical drive or even a DVD rom drive at all, their was simply no space on the motherboard to include on so I think we know what we will probably use one of those USB ports for.

Value for Money

Gotta give a hats off to HP for this one because they have made a nice functional laptop for only less than $250. The idea that you could throw another hundred dollars into upgrading it and end up with a laptop that could compete with some of the models in the $400 dollar range is pretty astounding.

I can’t think of a better cheap model for sending with your kid off to college. It would be perfect for all the work they need to be doing and still limit them from just using it to play games like they probably want to. I’m sorry kids I was there too but I have to say it.

HP 14-an013nr Review Conclusion

This HP isn’t for the people who want top of the line performance, but it is great for someone who just wants a cheap quality laptop good for getting basic work done.

An excellent starter laptop for anyone on a tight budget. Word processing, web surfing even a bit of graphics work, this laptop can not be recommended enough for someone who just want’s a light laptop for handling standard business.

The post HP 14-an013nr Review | Ultra-Budget Laptop appeared first on Laptop for Programming.

HP 15-ay013nr is one of the many laptops out there that promise a great performance/dollar value. These laptops have literally changed the way we perceive the mid-range laptop market.

A few years back an i3 would have sufficed at this price range. However, now you are getting a Core i5 processor for almost the same price.

HP 15-ay013nr is a complete package. If you are looking for a machine that perform almost everything, minus gaming, then this is a great machine for you.

Let us explore this laptop further in this HP 15-ay013nr review.

Design

This laptop comes in a rippled silver color for a little style with substance as the ripple helps make it easier to grip while making it attractive to view. I also like how the design is still apparent when you open the laptop up adding character to usually boring monotone interiors.

Weighing in at 4.7 pounds with a full HD 15.6 inch screen this laptop is light for the screen size and ready to rumble. It has a standard sized responsive touchpad yet no touch screen so this is your classic style laptop for anyone who want’s to look good but is really about getting the work done.

Hardware Configuration

The overall hardware configuration of this laptop is suitable for all tasks except gaming. You can perform low – mid level development with relative ease.

The only issue you will have with this laptop is when you start using it for professional level work. That is when this laptop will start revealing its limitations.

Processor

With a 6th Generation Intel i5-6200-U we have a 2.3 Ghz processor that can boost itself up to to 2.8 Ghz during strenuous work. With 2 cores we have a processor that is sufficient for most people but won’t be winning any speed records.

For an average programming student the 6200-U is very efficient and lighter on the wallet. Overall if you are looking for great efficiency with decent speed without spending a buck this processor will do well for you.

Graphics

Here we have a standard integrated graphics card. Most gamers and graphics designers will run for the hills as soon as they hear integrated and that remains the case. The graphics co-processor is shared with the RAM so intense graphics will sap away power from other processes.

You won’t have any problems doing most basic computer functions. It’ll work for surfing the web or any basic flash games but when you step into the really flashy stuff you will be disappointed if you are expecting a good performance.

It will probably suffice for older games like League of Legends but integrated alone on a graphics card is a death sentence for any serious gamer or graphics designer looking to keep up with the times.

RAM

Here we have 8 Gigabytes of random access memory which is pretty much the standard at this price range. That being said this 8 GB DDR3L is really good for performance and speed. This RAM makes this laptop beefy enough to handle many of the heavy duty tasks that the graphics card will leave behind.

Coinciding with the processor, this RAM is more power efficient than normal DDR3. With less voltage consumption it’s also slightly quicker because it takes less time to power up. This works well with the energy efficient 6200-U processor.

Storage

This HP comes with a 128 Gigabyte solid state drive so while we are giving up some space it makes it up for it in speed since SSD is like pulling up a book on a kindle where HDD is your classic librarian. That being said you can’t ignore how much space you miss compared to an average terabyte of hard drive..

128 gigs will still be enough for most people especially since this laptop isn’t especially made for gaming or graphic design which create some of the biggest file sizes you see. Another nice thing is the SSD allows for a longer battery life.

Screen

A 15.6 inch full HD screen will give you superb visibility and is the standard size screen for most laptops. Vibrant backlit LED makes all the visuals nice and crisp.

A good 1920 x 1080 resolution makes this laptop an excellent choice for multi-tasking. HP 15-ay013nr features a matte screen so it’s easy on the eyes and adjustable brightness to suit your fancy.

Additional Features

Here we shine, out of the box with Windows 10 home edition.  Furthermore, we have a DVD-RW optical drive for all your burning desires; an advanced HD camera for quality web-camming or picture taking; a DTS studio sound audio system to set the mood; two USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port for the real important stuff; an HDMI port, media card reader and a ethernet jack; built in 1×1 802.11ac WLAN and Bluetooth for connecting wireless style.

It also includes your standard HP limited warranty. So pretty much everything you need and a little bit more to make you blush.

Value for Money

The HP 15-ay013nr is currently available at less than $550. The price is actually really nice though when you look at it’s competitors. It comes in around the middle but it depends what your looking for.

For a bit more money you can get a gaming pc but that is not protable. Plus you have to think of investing in a nice screen and the peripherals.

For a bit less you can get a comparable model without a solid state drive. With that you are trading a lot more space for slower speed and less battery life. Instead of this computers 7.5 hour life you are looking at 4 to 6 hours. HP Notebook 15-ay011nr, is the variant that comes with 1 TB instead of SSD drive and costs much cheaper.

When you look at the additional features you can see that the value is there.

HP 15-ay013nr Review Conclusion

This laptop in a word is solid. For anyone looking to buy a laptop mainly for work including office work, low level development, and editing work. With that said, if you are looking for laptop creating simulation, large graphics or videos, this isn’t really the right laptop for you.

The real standout aspects of this laptop are the performance/dollar value. Though if you are willing to spend a bit more money you can find a comparable model with double the SSD space.

The design aspects of this model are also some of the coolest parts. This laptop looks and feels like some type of next generation technology straight off an alien space ship. Here we have an extremely energy efficient laptop perfect for an on the go businessman or woman and also students and beginner developers.

The post HP 15-ay013nr Review | 15.6″ Full-HD Laptop appeared first on Laptop for Programming.

If you are looking for a reasonably powerful laptop with a Core i7 processor, then ASUS F556UA-EB71 has one of the best value in the market.

In fact, for the short time that it has been in the market, it has won quite the happy customer base. This is a laptop that is suited to carry out advanced level of tasks.

If you are a programmer who is serious about his/her work, then you need to have at least this Dual Core i7 processor. It is not as powerful as the Quad Core i7 processor, but for the money, it has the best performance.

In this ASUS F556UA-EB71 review, we will look further into what makes this laptop a bargain.

Design

This ASUS notebook comes in a smooth dark blue finish that looks like some type of space age material that radiates cool even though it’s only plastic. When you open it just looks like your run of the mill laptop.

Smooth rounded edges surround a 15.6″ inch screen and a 5.1 pound weight, that efficiently masks this machines power. You have a standard notepad touch pad with no other touch screen capabilities. Nice and slim about one inch when closed.

Screen

15.6 inches a full HD LED lit technology ensures crisp visuals with a max resolution of 1920 x 1080. This is much better than using an HD screen as it gives more real estate. The screen is very responsive with all of the standard tools to adjust it for your viewing pleasure. Everything is super clear like the waters in the tropics.

Hardware Configuration

Overall, the configuration of ASUS F556UA-EB71 is fit for moderate to heavy level tasks. For professional level video editing and graphic designing you may need to upgrade the RAM; however, as it stands, this laptop has a great hardware if you can live without a graphics card.

Processor

This ASUS laptop has a Intel Dual-Core i7 6500-U processor with a 4 Megabyte cache at 2.5 ghz that can be boosted up to 3.1 ghz. That’s pretty fast with decent multitasking and since it’s the U series it’s made for power efficiency over performance.

The i7 is a nice upgrade over the i5 you’ll see in many laptops at this price range. It doesn’t quite feel like an i7 when running on the high end. Here we have a young roadrunner not quite moving at it’s full potential but hey at least it fits comfortably in your lap.

Graphics

The graphics card is integrated so it’s not for any high end gaming but thanks to the processor it balances out this drawback. As a result, ASUS F556UA-EB71 is still pretty good for audio or video editing.

We can run any low end game at high settings and many of the high end games at low settings which is about the best you can ask for around $600 dollars. Great for anyone looking to do the standard things like web surfing and video watching just don’t expect it to wow people with top of the line visuals.

You will probably experience some serious slow down at the higher resolutions. This model can still walk the walk at your local fashion show but don’t expect it to make it to Paris.

RAM

Here we have 8 gigabytes of DDR3L RAM which is the industry standard for laptops in this range.

Their is room to upgrade but this RAM is very energy efficient and quick. Just enough for most gaming but you will likely have to upgrade for the higher end stuff but with the integrated graphics card their isn’t much reason to. Except of course, you want to do some next level professional work.

Like most laptops with the DDR3L and 6500-U processor combo we are geared more towards power efficiency over performance. We would all like a Ferrari but a nice Hyundai can still get the job done at much more affordable price tag.

Storage

This laptop offers a large 1 terabyte HDD hard drive for mountains of storage capabilities. Sacrificing the speed of a solid state drive in order to store a boat load of information. The typical consumer will have no worries about running out of space with a terabyte.

The hard drive will cut into your battery though so don’t expect more than six hours when you are not plugged in. Perfect for anyone who want’s to download hulking file sizes and isn’t worried about the performance issues that a solid state drive might help avoid.

So yes you can store your complete collection of limited edition Star Trek DVD’s.

Additional Features

This laptop is loaded with extra features you will not find in many laptops. Three USB inputs, a standard 2.0, the upgraded ten times faster 3.0, and also the improved USB3.1 Type C generation 1 which combines power and connectivity for a reversible input that takes the standard 3.0 and adds all of the performance boosts we have discovered over the years.

We have a DL DVDRW for rewriting dvd’s at extremely high speeds effectively doubling the space of a standard DVDRW drive. Their is also an HDMI port, your standard RJ45 port for lan connectivity and a VGA port for connecting an additional monitor.

This laptop also sports a 802.11 ac for superfast wi fi connectivity along with a VGA camera for your webcam needs. Rounding it all out we have a media card reader and 4.0 Bluetooth technology. A 1 year international warranty is also included with purchase.

Value for Money

At less than $700 we have a very efficient decently powerful work station with some nice extras. The ability to connect multiple screens should not put too much pressure on the powerful processor.

Unfortunately, the average gamer would not appreciate this laptop as it lacks in graphics performance. However, gaming is not the point of this laptop.

When comparing this model to others around this price point we find that it’s pretty much middle of the pack on specs but makes up a bit when you look at all of it’s additional features. There is a pretty cool Eye care function for adjusting the look if you have sensitive eyes. ASUS has created a really nice product for the price.

ASUS F556UA-EB71 Review Conclusion

This computer isn’t going to get you a tryout for the Avengers but it’s a really solid machine. ASUS seems to have made this computer with the more advanced consumer in mind. Great for people who work hard processing loads of information be it for programming or graphic designing.

The increased connectivity makes it a really nice workstation for editing audio or video though you will probably need to upgrade the memory.

Definitely not for the hardcore though as that demographic is more suited for laptops that are about a $1,000 more expensive.

The post ASUS F556UA-EB71 Review appeared first on Laptop for Programming.

In this Dell Inspiron i5378-2885gry review we have a 2-in-1 convertible laptop that offers an average hardware suitable for most tasks. Since it has a mid-range processor, you can expect to run advanced software given that they are used at a reasonable level.

If you are a hardcore professional, this many not be the best laptop for you. However, if you are a beginner developer, programmer, or editor it is perfect for you. Plus, it does not cost much so you don’t have to plan a huge budget out.

Let us talk more about this Dell Inspiron i5378-2885gry and find out what sets it apart from the rest and the reason why you should consider this laptop.

Design

This laptop features a 13.3-inch screen and a compact design. With a full 360 degree rotating screen locking in for use as a laptop, tablet, or free standing video screen. The screen features a high resolution and wide viewing angles.

The touchpad is highly responsive acting as a miniature touchscreen. It comes in a silvery gray color titled as theoretical gray. It looks smooth and sleek yet sturdy. Weighing about 3 1/2 pounds it’s around the middle of the road for laptop weight.

The touchpad is highly responsive acting as a miniature touchscreen. It comes in a silvery gray color titled as theoretical gray. It looks smooth and sleek yet sturdy. Weighing about 3 1/2 pounds it’s around the middle of the road for laptop weight.

Screen

With a 13.3 inch screen that’s kind of small for a laptop but extremely large for a tablet so depending on what you want to use it for it is either a great portable laptop or a conveniently large screen tablet.

With a maximum resolution of 1920×1080, your visuals will be extremely crisp but also pretty small at that resolution. So even with that max most people will probably run a slightly lower resolution. The screen also has built-in touchscreen capabilities. This adds an other dimension to how you can interact.

Hardware Configuration

Let us now look at what is inside this Dell Inspiron i5378-2885gry. As mentioned earlier, it offers a mid-end hardware. With that said, it can handle almost anything you throw at it given that the level of work is reasonable.

Unlike the Celeron, Pentium or even i3 processor, Core i5 are pretty respectable in terms of work efficiency.

Processor

The Dell Inspiron features a 3.1 Ghz 7th Generation Intel Core i5 7200u. This i5 core has a 3 megabyte SmartCaches 2 cores and 4 threads. Which means it’s pretty average by current standards.

It will quickly perform most tasks at a reasonable level. It will work great for most people but isn’t recommended for professional level processing like creating large graphics that require heavy processing and RAM.

Graphics

This laptop has an Integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 card. Integrated chips are usually poor for gaming but this one will allow you to play many of the latest games like GTA V or The Witcher 3 on low resolutions and low settings.

Older games such as League of Legends or DOTA 2 should run extremely smooth for an integrated card. This card will not cut it for any high-end graphic design that requires high amounts of rendering. Overall the card should be fine for anyone but serious gamers and designers.

RAM

The Dell Inspiron features 8 gigabytes of DDR4 2400 Mhz RAM which is once again pretty average. In this case average is a pretty good though. This amount of RAM will allow you to perform most tasks quickly.

Booting should take no more than 30 seconds and loading individual applications should be pretty fast as well. The DDR 4 isn’t much better than the DDR3 but that shouldn’t matter much. It is always good to have the latest hardware.

The RAM is sufficient for normal tasks and won’t limit your gaming as much as the graphics card will. There is space to install an additional 8 gigabytes if necessary.

Storage

With 1 terabyte of storage space it will take a long time to run out of space. A terabyte breaks down into about 17,000 hours of music or over 2 years of continuous listening. A terabyte is about a thousand hours of video or 40 days of continuous viewing.

That’s over 300,000 photos. Even for high-quality 1080p videos, a terabyte will handle about 500 hours. Most people won’t be able to find enough stuff they like to fill up a terabyte of space.

Switching over to a solid state drive will give you quicker load times and increase your battery life though.

Additional Features

This laptop has three USB ports one 2.0 and two 3.0’s. USB 3.0’s are ten times as fast as 2.0’s so that’s always nice. It also has an HDMI port. The keyboard is a crisp, resilient, and responsive. It is also backlit for any typing in the dark.

It is possible to replace the hard drive with a solid state drive as well. There is built-in Bluetooth and a built-in SD card reader. The battery life at full charge should last between 4 and 6 hours. The screen is a touchscreen for use as a tablet. There is also a built-in infrared camera for webcamming.

Dell Inspiron i5378-2885gry comes with Windows 10 Home Edition installed. There is no stylus included but they do work with the screen. There is also no optical drive included.

Value For Money

When comparing this laptop to others in a similar price range I found that this is a pretty good value. You can find a faster processor but it will probably cost another extra hundred dollars or so.

The specs are really nice for the $500 dollar price range. It can go upto 3.1 Ghz processor when needed automatically. Most people will only get at the least a 2.5 Ghz processor even still that’s about the average for a laptop in this range.

The audio isn’t anything special though so if you are an audiophile you may want to look elsewhere. For some people, even max volume won’t be enough. The weight is a little heavy for the size, but this isn’t entirely an ultrabook. If it were, it would be a lot more expensive.

Dell Inspiron i5378-2885gry Review Conclusion

Dell Inspiron i5378-2885gry is a pretty nice buy for people looking to do all kinds of work with a 2 in 1. If you just surf the web occasionally try out new applications and watch videos on Youtube this laptop isn’t something for you as that can be accomplished even by much cheaper laptops.

This is a laptop that lies in between casual laptops and professional laptops. It is basically an entertainment/multimedia laptop.

If you are trying to play computer games at a high visual quality you may want to look elsewhere or even at a desktop if you are trying to stay in this price range.

However, in terms of portability and value for money, there is little competition to this 13.3 inch laptop.

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