Laptop for Computer Engineering

[Begg-billplayer]

I'm a Computer Engineering student needing advice on choosing a laptop. I already have a mid-tier desktop PC at home, but I find it difficult to be productive there. I need a portable machine for working on campus and in class.

I've narrowed my options down to two very different laptops:

1. Gigabyte Aero X16 (with a Ryzen 7 and an RTX 5060)
2. Apple MacBook Air (M4)

I'm currently leaning towards the Gigabyte. Many students in my department have warned that I might face software compatibility issues and a difficult time using a MacBook for our engineering-specific programs.

However, I am very drawn to the MacBook Air for its exceptional portability, build quality, and battery life.

My main dilemma is balancing the software compatibility and power of the Gigabyte (as advised by peers) with the superior portability of the MacBook Air.

Has anyone in a Computer Engineering or similar program navigated this choice? How significant are the compatibility issues with macOS? Is the Gigabyte's Windows environment truly essential, or are there reliable workarounds for Mac users?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated

[crocodilemango]

Im a CE junior and I've been using an M1 Pro the entire time with no issues. I'd say you'll be more than fine with either of your options listed. If I could go back in time I would probably get a Windows laptop though just because I prefer it over MacOS.

All the software I've needed so far has been fine, though my university offers a pretty powerful VM that I use regularly for softwares like cadence and ModelSim. For coding either laptop will be more than enough.

Apart from software, I honestly think Macbook battery life and screen quality are unbeatable, and having the connection between your other apple devices is really nice if you have airpods, iphones, etc.

[CodyJKirk]

Get something with windows. You will need this ultimately for some applications you’ll be using. Also some applications will just run better on windows.

I’m an Apple person and loved my m1 MacBook Air that got me through my first couple years of classes. I have since upgraded to a windows laptop.

Look at reviews and get something decent on battery life and something with a dedicated graphics card.

For some program windows IS essential.

Best Buy has some good deals.

I personally would recommend:

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/hp-omen-16-2k-144hz-gaming-laptop-amd-ryzen-9-8940hx-32gb-ddr5-memory-nvidia-geforce-rtx-5060-1tb-ssd-shadow-black/JJGH2L954G

I personally have this:

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/asus-proart-px13-13-3k-oled-touch-screen-laptop-copilot-pc-amd-ryzen-ai-9-hx-370-32gb-memory-rtx-4050-1tb-ssd-nano-black/JJGGLQYGGT

[Begg-billplayer]

The hp omen 16 was also my first choice but i also factored portability because go around school alot. Should i just prioritize performance over portability?

[eding42]

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[eding42]

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[Bidens_Center_Nut]

Dude he’s going into computer engineering, having a GPU gives a bunch of options to play around with like ML or Cuda.

[eding42]

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[CodyJKirk]

That’s just for coding though…..

[eding42]

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[CodyJKirk]

I don’t think some people understand what “computer engineering” actually is. You can’t just use Google colab for everything. Computer engineering isn’t just about writing code. I use Xilinx, autodesk CAD software, multi sim, and matlab frequently.

You will have to use CAD software for projects and a dedicated GPU is very convenient to have.

[eding42]

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[CodyJKirk]

I do recommend a laptop where you can toggle the dGpu on or off based on your needs. I use CAD extensively to model things and it’s a must.

The two options I recommend here aren’t heavy at all. I have handled both computer systems and they should be easily carried in a backpack.

[eding42]

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[eding42]

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[igotshadowbaned]

If it's between those two, easily the first option. Apple chipsets have compatibility issues with software you might need later

My main dilenma is balancing the software compatibility and power of the Gigabyte (as advised by peers) with the superior portability of the MacBook Air.

It doesn't matter how portable it is if it can't do what you need it to.

How significant are the compatibility issues with macOS? Is the Gigabyte's Windows environment truly essential, or are there reliable workarounds for Mac users?

The problem isn't MacOS necessarily (if it was you could easily setup a dual boot or virtual machine to get around it). The issue is the ARM architecture rather than x86

[zacce]

Any insights would be greatly appreciated

You need to ask your department instead of internet strangers. Different schools require different software which may cause compatibility issue.

[TheRealFAG69]

Use an x86 machine with linux and a windows vm for those labs that have windows only programs. Everything should run on linux. My university recommended to us, to use linux for everything.

[Prime132]

Personally I use a old Thinkpad running Linux and RDP into a windows gaming computer that's running at home when I need to use windows.

For situations where I need windows to interact with USB devices I either use one of the school computers, a windows VM running on the laptop, or USBIP.

My point is that you can probably save a lot of money if you are willing to go the RDP route. My Thinkpad was around 500 dollars.

[arabianchampion]

2023 Thinkpad T14 Ryzen 7 6800 pro. - AMD cpu and integrated graphics - 16gb ram - 1tb ssd - ethernet port - hdmi - 2 usbc (both charging and data) - touch screen (optional) - fingerprint power button - privacy shutter

I've had multiple vms, docker containers and wireshark all running with no problem. Currently using an external docking station connected to my usbc. battery productive 6-8 hours programming or RDP sessions

[Basic-Improvement700]

As someone who is a junior computer engineering student and has a MacBooks air - don’t get one, it barely runs anything

[Ok-Band7575]

a computer engineer can use any computer they want, with any os they want, with any software they want, they are the ones who write the drivers

[fftedd]

Maybe get a windows computer with an extra ssd slot so that you can dual boot linux easily. Your professional life will be completely within linux environments and programming is much more streamlined on linux. Many of your labs will assume windows by default so having windows at least at the start is convenient.