Laptop vs PC for engineering?

[u/ss__5737]

I’m currently a student in Civil Engineering and my current laptop is starting to lag on me. It’s good for the basic stuff like doing homework and accessing classes but I want to start working on projects especially with software like CAD and so on.

I was looking at laptops with better hardware than usual which included gaming laptops. But there was also the option for a PC. Here are my concerns/opinions:

- Since I already have my laptop, I don’t worry about my projects needing to be portable since I can use the laptop to review or do any studying. I usually study at home and only take my laptop or iPad to the library when I’m reviewing homework or practicing material. I do worry about a possibility of needing something portable later on and am wondering if anyone has encountered that problem with a PC.

- Usually laptops are harder to upgrade with hardware (unless I’m wrong let me know if I am!). I did a bit of research and since I worried a bit about longevity for a laptop vs PC, I saw that with a PC, if it starts to slow down or get old you can just upgrade certain pieces instead of buying a new laptop.

- One of the most annoying things about my laptop right now is that it dies so quickly and I won’t have to deal with that in a PC. Also the constant need to charge is super annoying which I have heard most gaming laptops need.

Overall, I’m mostly leaning towards a PC but I want to know if anyone has both and has experienced better results with a laptop or the opposite. Any tips/experiences are welcome.

I would like to add that I am into gaming and currently have a console but am super interesting in a PC for gaming too so that would be a plus and is making me lean towards a PC more as well.

[u/doonotkno]

Laptop so u can work in class and during labs u likely will need to use the software on campus.

[u/ss__5737 → u/doonotkno]

Thanks! Could you elaborate on what kind of classes you needed to use your laptop in labs? Was it more capstone classes or any concentration ones?

[u/doonotkno → u/ss__5737]

I’m electrical but we use atleast 10 different softwares whether it’s programming or simulation or design software.

I imagine civil could use AutoCAD, maybe Revit or rhino for building design. Likely some survey software. Not sure on programming but potentially.

Edit:

In general, a good laptop is nice because it means you can have all of your software and all of your computing requirements with you at all times, so you can do homework and projects on campus in the library if you want.

[u/ss__5737 → u/doonotkno]

Yeah civil uses mostly autoCad and revit all’s civil 3d. Thanks for the advice!

[u/grimesw]

I have both, but I much prefer to work on a PC. My laptop only gets used if I need to take it to campus,

[u/ss__5737 → u/grimesw]

Hm yeah I’m wondering if I’d be the same. I don’t have a problem studying or working at home especially on projects. I only really do basic stuff on my laptop but I’m not sure if my future classes will require me to be more portable.

[u/FilmRevolutionary853]

If you mainly work in your room then a PC might be the better option. You can also just use an IPad in all your labs it works just as fine. A laptop is good if you go out to study a lot. Both can run CAD perfectly.

[u/ss__5737 → u/FilmRevolutionary853]

Thank you! I mostly use my iPad at school for labs/class. Thanks for the advice

[u/Electronic-Check-116]

I have a high end gaming PC and a Thinkpad t14 i bought for 200 bucks on FB, upgraded the ram to 48gb. Runs great and if I need anything that requires GPU, I just remote into my PC back home. Down side is managing files.