Aerospace engineering is a demanding field that requires students to have access to powerful and reliable laptops. These laptops need to be able to handle the rigors of engineering software, such as CAD, CFD, and MATLAB. They also need to be portable enough to be taken to class and the library. In this article, we will recommend the best laptops for aerospace engineering students. We will consider a variety of factors, such as performance, portability, and price.
Aerospace engineering laptop requirements
Minimum requirements for aerospace engineering students:
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Graphics: Dedicated graphics card with at least 4 GB of VRAM
- Display: 15.6 inches or larger with Full HD (1920×1080) resolution
- Battery: At least 6 hours of battery life
The best laptops for aerospace engineering students
- HP Envy Business Laptop 16″ WQXGA IPS 120Hz Touchscreen ($2,319)
- Dell XPS 17 9720 Touchscreen Laptop ($3,319)
- Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X Laptop ($1,199)
1. HP Envy Business Laptop

Model Name | Envy 16 |
Screen Size | 16 Inches |
Color | Natural Silver |
Hard Disk Size | 4 TB |
CPU Model | Intel Core i9 |
Ram Memory Installed Size | 64 GB |
Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
Graphics Card Description | Dedicated |
The HP Envy 16 is an excellent choice for aerospace engineering students. It has a powerful processor, a fast SSD, and a long-lasting battery, all of which are essential for running demanding engineering software. The laptop also has a beautiful display and a comfortable backlit keyboard.
Here are some of the laptop’s key features:
- 13th Generation Intel Core i9-13900H processor: This is one of the most powerful processors on the market, and it will be able to handle even the most demanding engineering tasks.
- 64GB DDR5 SDRAM: This is a lot of RAM, and it will ensure that the laptop can run multiple programs simultaneously without slowing down.
- 4TB NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive: This is a very fast SSD, and it will help to ensure that the laptop boots up quickly and that programs load quickly.
- 16″ WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS Touchscreen: This is a beautiful display, and it will be great for working on engineering projects.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB GDDR6 graphics card: This is a powerful graphics card, and it will be able to handle demanding graphics tasks such as 3D modeling and rendering.
- Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.3: This means that the laptop has the latest wireless technology, and it will be able to connect to the internet quickly and reliably.
- Backlit keyboard: This is a great feature for students who need to work in dark environments.
- Long-lasting battery: The laptop’s battery will last for up to 8 hours on a single charge, which is great for students who are always on the go.
Overall, the HP Envy 16 is a powerful and versatile laptop that is perfect for aerospace engineering students. It has everything that students need to succeed in their studies, and it is also a great choice for personal use.
2. Dell XPS 17 9720 Touchscreen Laptop

Model Name | XPS 17 9720 |
Screen Size | 17 Inches |
Color | Platinum Silver |
Hard Disk Size | 2 TB |
CPU Model | Core i7 Family |
Ram Memory Installed Size | 32 GB |
Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
Graphics Card Description | Dedicated |
The Dell XPS 17 is a powerful laptop that meets the demanding needs of aerospace engineering students. It has a powerful Intel Core i7-12700H processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB NVMe SSD for ample storage. The 17-inch UHD+ touchscreen display is perfect for viewing complex CAD drawings and simulations. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card provides the necessary power for rendering 3D models and running demanding engineering software. The laptop also has a long battery life, making it ideal for students who are always on the go. Overall, the Dell XPS 17 is an excellent choice for aerospace engineering students who need a powerful and reliable laptop.
Here are some of the specific features that make the Dell XPS 17 a good choice for aerospace engineering students:
- Powerful Intel Core i7-12700H processor: This processor has 14 cores and 20 threads, which means it can handle even the most demanding tasks.
- 32GB of RAM: This ensures that the laptop can run multiple programs simultaneously without slowing down.
- 2TB NVMe SSD: This provides ample storage for all of your engineering files and software.
- 17-inch UHD+ touchscreen display: This high-resolution display is perfect for viewing complex CAD drawings and simulations.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card: This graphics card provides the necessary power for rendering 3D models and running demanding engineering software.
- Long battery life: The Dell XPS 17 can last for up to 15 hours on a single charge, making it ideal for students who are always on the go.
In addition to its powerful hardware, the Dell XPS 17 also has a number of other features that make it a good choice for aerospace engineering students. These include:
- Full-size backlit keyboard: This makes it easy to type in low-light conditions.
- Stereo speakers: These provide clear and crisp audio for listening to music or watching videos.
- Fingerprint reader: This allows you to log in to your laptop securely with your fingerprint.
Overall, the Dell XPS 17 is a powerful, reliable, and feature-rich laptop that is an excellent choice for aerospace engineering students.
3. Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X Laptop

Model Name | Slim 7 ProX |
Screen Size | 14.5 Inches |
Color | Gray |
Hard Disk Size | 1 TB |
CPU Model | Ryzen 9 |
Ram Memory Installed Size | 32 GB |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
Special Feature | Backlit Keyboard |
Graphics Card Description | Dedicated |
The Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X is a powerful laptop with a lot to offer aerospace engineering students. Its AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS processor, RTX 3050 graphics card, and 32GB of RAM make it more than capable of handling the demanding workloads of aerospace engineering students. The 14.5-inch touchscreen display is also a great feature for students who need to work on complex drawings and models.
Here are some of the specific features that make the Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X a good choice for aerospace engineering students:
- Powerful processor and graphics card: The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS processor and RTX 3050 graphics card are both powerful enough to handle the demanding workloads of aerospace engineering students. These components will allow students to run CAD software, perform simulations, and work on complex models without any problems.
- Large display: The 14.5-inch touchscreen display is a great size for students who need to work on complex drawings and models. The touchscreen also makes it easy to zoom in and out of images and manipulate objects.
- Plenty of RAM: The 32GB of RAM is more than enough for most aerospace engineering students. This will allow students to run multiple programs at once and work on large datasets without experiencing any slowdowns.
- Fast storage: The 1TB NVMe PCIe solid-state drive is a fast and reliable storage solution. This will allow students to quickly load and save large files, and it will also help to improve the overall performance of the laptop.
- Portable design: The Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X is a thin and lightweight laptop that is easy to take with you to class or the library. The battery life is also good, so students will be able to use it for a full day of classes without having to worry about recharging it.
Overall, the Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X is an excellent choice for aerospace engineering students. It is a powerful and versatile laptop that has everything students need to succeed in their studies.
Conclusion
When selecting a laptop for aerospace engineering studies, it is crucial to consider factors such as processing power, graphics capabilities, storage capacity, battery life, and portability. The ideal laptop should possess a balance of these features to ensure seamless performance during demanding engineering tasks. Additionally, the choice between a Windows, macOS, or Linux-based operating system depends on individual preferences and software compatibility requirements. With careful consideration of these aspects, students can make an informed decision that will support their academic journey in aerospace engineering.
FAQs
Aerospace engineering is a demanding field that requires students to be proficient in a wide range of software programs, from computer-aided design (CAD) to computational fluid dynamics (CFD). To handle these demanding tasks, aerospace engineering students need a powerful and reliable laptop that can keep up with their coursework. This FAQ will provide you with insights into the best laptops for aerospace engineering students, considering factors such as processor, RAM, graphics card, storage, and battery life.
1. What computer do you need for aerospace engineering?
Aerospace engineering is a demanding field that requires a powerful computer to handle the complex software and simulations used in the design and analysis of aircraft and spacecraft. Here are the minimum recommended specifications for a computer that can handle the rigors of aerospace engineering:
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 or higher
- Memory (RAM): 16GB or more
- Storage: 512GB SSD or more
- Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 or higher
- Operating system: Windows 10 or 11 or macOS 10.14 or higher
These specifications will ensure that your computer can run the software required for aerospace engineering courses and projects. However, if you are planning on using your computer for more demanding tasks, such as running 3D modeling and simulation software, you may need a more powerful computer.
Here are some additional factors to consider when choosing a computer for aerospace engineering:
- Portability: If you need to take your computer with you to class or work, you will want to choose a laptop that is lightweight and portable.
- Durability: Aerospace engineering computers are often used in demanding environments, so you will want to choose one that is durable and can withstand wear and tear.
- Battery life: If you need to use your computer for extended periods of time without access to a power outlet, you will want to choose one with a long battery life.
2. Do you need a laptop for aeronautical engineering?
Yes, you will need a laptop for aeronautical engineering. Aeronautical engineering students use laptops for a variety of tasks, including:
- Running engineering software: Aeronautical engineers use a variety of specialized software for tasks such as designing aircraft, analyzing air flow, and simulating flight conditions. These programs can be very demanding on a computer’s resources, so a powerful laptop is essential.
- Accessing online resources: Aeronautical engineers often need to access online resources such as journals, databases, and research papers. A laptop with a good internet connection is essential for this purpose.
- Taking notes and writing reports: Aeronautical engineers spend a lot of time taking notes and writing reports. A laptop with a comfortable keyboard and a long battery life is essential for this purpose.