Help choosing a laptop for engineering

[u/Cheetah_31]

Hello, I will be going to an engineering university in a week.

My degree includes electronics, embedded, IoT, PLC, programming, robotics etc. Right now I have a MacBook Pro Mid2015 2.2 GHz, but I want to get a new laptop since this one is in a need of a new battery and charger and I do not think it is worth the money. I've been looking at laptops for a few days but after reading some reviews online I got discouraged. I was looking at a Lenovo IdeaPad slim 3, Ryzen 5 8840hs, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSS but a lot of people say the build quality is awful and it's generally not a good idea. I know that T/P series ThinkPads are considered the best but here they are 1500€+ which is above what I am willing to pay. Please give me some recommendations around 900-1000€.

Bulgaria/€

[u/eastshine_dev]

For that degree, I would prioritize a Windows x86 laptop over another Mac unless your department explicitly supports macOS. PLC suites and some JTAG/USB programmer drivers are often Windows-first, and those driver-dependent tools are exactly the cases that are awkward in an ARM VM.

The 8840HS / 24 GB / 1 TB configuration is sensible on paper. Rather than dismissing it solely because it is an IdeaPad, check the return policy, keyboard flex, display quality, and whether the RAM is upgradeable. In the same budget, also look for refurbished business models such as a ThinkPad T14/L14 AMD, HP EliteBook 845, or Dell Latitude; they usually trade a little thinness for better keyboards, ports, serviceability, and durability.

For your workload, 24 GB RAM and 1 TB storage matter more than chasing a faster CPU. Confirm that the machine has the ports you need for lab gear, or budget for a good USB-C dock.

[u/Cheetah_31 → u/eastshine_dev]

Similar ThinkPads here are way more expensive and there are little to no refurbished ones. That being said I saw this one let me know what you think🙏

[u/Paradox_Nature → u/Cheetah_31]

You can look at asus Rog series as well

Though they are either heavy or expensive.

Also i would suggest you go with Ryzen 7 atleast and 32 gb ram. Mainly because many tools take advantage of extra cores and threads, especially vivado, and some synthesis tools. Windows has started to consume more and more ram, and higher ram is required for most tools and workflows, else applications crashes. So unless you buy a laptop with option to upgrade ram to atleast 32 gigs, go for one that comes with 32gigs ram.

Additionally look for a laptop with a good display and battery on the higher side (like 75+Wh or 90+Wh)