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Resolved Question

College Student Looking for Laptop (Electrical Engineering)

Apr 10, 2015 7:59AM PDT

Hi, I already have a pretty powerful desktop for more intense work and gaming, but I'm currently looking for a laptop at around 14" to do schoolwork and some intern work while at school or at my internship.

Budget: $650
Use: Office, Internet, Watching Movies, MATLAB, Eagle(Electrical Design Software), PSPICE, Xilinx, Coding Software (C++), 2D drafting with AUTOCAD, Visual (Photometric Analysis), and other software that an electrical engineering undergrad (Maybe push for Masters) will be using.

Currently, I am looking at the Lenovo Z40 - 70
Product Number: 59425582
Price: $549 with coupon USPZ48249
Processor: 4th Generation Intel Core i7-4510U Processor (2.00GHz 1600MHz 4MB)
Operating System: Windows 8.1 64
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GT820M GDDR3 2GB
RAM: 8.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3L SDRAM 1600 MHz
Display: 14.0" FHD LED Glossy Wedge (1920x1080)
Storage: Hybrid 500GB 5400 RPM+8GB SSHD
Drive: DVD Recordable (Dual Layer)
Battery: 5 hrs, 4 Cell 41 Watt Hour Li-Cylindrical
Weight: 4.6 lbs
Here is a link to the Lenovo Z40-70:
http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/lenovo/z-series/z40/?AID=10383968&PID=4485850&SID=a060ee3423ed4fe0b711cbfe6dd05731&CJURL=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.lenovo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Flaptops%2Flenovo%2Fz-series%2Fz40%2F&PUBNAME=Slickdeals+LLC&NID=CJ

Also, I am looking at this Dell Inspiron 13 7000 Series:
http://amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-Series-Laptop-i7348-3286SLV/dp/B00SIJJ3UI/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
Price: $559
Processor: 5th Generation Intel Core i5-5200U Processor (2.20GHz 1600MHz 4MB)
Operating System: Windows 8.1 64
RAM: 4.0GB DDR3
Display: 13.3" IPS (1366 x 76Cool
Storage: 500GB 5400 RPM SATA
Weight: 3.7 lbs

Additionally, I have a 500GB Samsung 850 EVO 2.5" SSD that I can swap the HDD with (Not sure how to back up system for that yet)

Would any of these laptops be sufficient for my needs or is there anything better or more practical out there for the price?

Thanks in advance!

Discussion is locked

zbreh has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

- Collapse -
Remember
Apr 10, 2015 8:10AM PDT

You are talking a machine years ahead of what most completed such work with. The 4GB RAM would not be my choice here.
Bob

- Collapse -
Thanks
Apr 20, 2015 5:11PM PDT

I've settled with a Used Lenovo U430 Touch
- Excellent condition
- $506.33 Taxes and Shipping included
- Intel Core i7-4500U (1.8 GHz)
- 8GB RAM 1600MHz
- Hybrid 500GB 5400 RPM+8GB SSHD
- Intel® HD Graphics 4400
- 14.0" HD+ LED Backlit with integrated camera (1600x900)
- Windows 8.1 64
- 4.2 lbs
- Approx 10Hr battery life

I'm planning on swapping the HDD out with my 500GB Samsung 850 Evo SSD. Not sure on how to back up the system to that yet though.


Thanks again!