Do you require a laptop for your work as a Data Scientist? You have arrived at the correct destination if the answer is “Yes.” Work will be made much more comfortable and productive with the Best Laptops for Scientific Computing professionals or students.
Laptops are a well-known truth amongst college students. A laptop is essential equipment used every day for hours.
A low-cost, entry-level laptop with a decent hard disc, graphics card, display, and battery life is now available for $200 to $400 for high school and college students.
These Best Laptops for Scientific Computing picks, shown below, are based on our extensive research and rigorous testing. This site is continually being kept up to date with the latest laptop offerings.
10 Best Laptops for Scientific Computing Reviews
It is essential to know that most of our finest laptops cost above $ 500 if you want to go budget. If you’re interested in any alternative operating systems besides Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS, please let us know. Look at our list of the best laptops under $700 for more info.
However, if you are searching for something that acts as both a gaming laptop and offers ample storage or capable of running challenging applications such as video editing software, then stay here as there are suitable possibilities.
To work as a scientific computer, you are expected to handle, gather, examine, evaluate a significant amount of data, and then disseminate that information in any method that will be most advantageous to a corporation.
Work can be made more accessible by having a laptop that can manage enormous numbers. Computational analysis demands a considerable amount of processing power, whether you’re using a laptop or a personal computer.
The Best Laptop for Scientific Computing can let you deal with larger datasets without hanging or experiencing lag.
Scientific Computing Laptops Requirement
Operating System | Windows 10 or OS X 10.11+ or Ubuntu 16.04 (or any LTS)* |
Processor | 7th,8th, or higher Generation Intel Core i5 |
RAM (“Memory”) | 8GB DDR4 |
Hard Drive | 128GB SSD + (optional) External HDD for Backups/Additional Storage |
Best Laptops for Scientific Computing Buyer’s Guide
SCREEN SIZE:
Before purchasing a laptop, you should first discover the size of its screen. For a data analyst, a 15-inch laptop might be suitable. Larger display Best Laptop for Scientific Computing when investigating any content or data will be pretty beneficial.
It is possible to use a smaller screen laptop, such as the Apple MacBook Pro 15 or Dell G5 15, if you are not a full-time scientist and occasionally performs this task.
LAPTOP STORAGE:
A person who is planning to buy a new laptop needs to take note of the LAPTOP STORAGE. To begin, you must choose between an SSD (or ‘solid-state drive’) storage or an HDD (or ‘hard disc drive’) storage. It can be challenging to understand the distinction between these, so here’s a summary to help you out:
It can be challenging to understand the distinction between these, so here’s a summary to help you out:
HDD — The HDD is mechanical and hence will take longer to move or open.
A solid-state drive (SSD) — Unlike traditional hard drives, which use spinning discs, solid-state drives have no moving parts like the hard drive. They work faster, too.
As a data scientist, my advice to you is to choose a laptop with SSD and HDD storage. It would help if you didn’t choose a laptop that solely has hard drive storage unless you can do without the other kinds of storage.
CPU:
I know that CPU options for data scientists include the i5, i3, and i7, and to be a data scientist, I strongly recommend getting an i7 and an i9.
GPU:
To employ data scientists, you will need to get a high-end graphics card on your laptop. The GTX 960 GPU in a laptop is sufficient for an occupation like this. If you enjoy video games and data science, you should purchase a higher advanced GPU that supports both of your passions.
OS:
You can select MacOS (i.e., MacBook Air or MacBook Pro) or Windows if you have gotten used to the Windows OS. Each operating system has its advantages. Think carefully about what you need.
Portability:
This list includes both portable and non-portable computers. You don’t need to worry about the weight of your laptop.
Suppose you are working from your home or an office. If your job requires you to travel, you should get a lightweight laptop so you can save time and money while you’re on the road.
ACER SWIFT 3 – Best Laptop for Scientific Computing
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Octa-Cor
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR4
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
- GPU: Radeon Graphics
- Display: 14″ Full HD IPS
- Battery: Up to 11+ Hours
Acer Swift 3 is a refined and essential notebook with a classic style. This laptop has a thick metal cap, and the manufacturer has included a reflective logo in the middle. Weight: 2.7 pounds, which is light and easy to handle.
There are numerous connectors on this laptop, making connectivity a non-issue. With a USB-C port, an AC-in jack, a DC-in connector, an HDMI port, USB 3.1 Type-A ports, a headphone jack, and USB 2.0 Type-A ports, it is helpful for numerous applications. You must use an external card reader to access the micro SD card slot.
A 1920 x 1080 full HD display, but you can’t view images as straightforward as possible because of the drawback. The RAM has 8 GB, and the 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor combines to provide multitasking. 512 GB SSD storage means you won’t have to worry about your data.
This laptop’s keyboard is quite comfy and has a quick response. Though the sound quality is not too excellent, the overall quality is passable. 7-and-a-half-hour battery life isn’t that great for people who work long hours.
Pros
- Portable and Lightweight
- Excellent for Multitasking
- Affordable Option
Cons
- Average Battery Life
- SSD Storage is Sluggish
- Display is a Little Dim
DELL XPS 15 – Best Laptop for Data Science 2022
- CPU: i7-8750H
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- GPU: GeForce GTX 1050Ti
- Display: 15.6in UHD (3840 x 2160) Touch
- Battery: Up to 9+ Hours
It’s a beautiful masterwork, and it has a gorgeous design. Thanks to its 15.6-inch Full HD display, you can enjoy sharp, lifelike images. You may simply transport it to your work and meeting location because it is only four pounds. The webcam is where it should be, related to both the excellent video quality and where the people are.
The lid is composed of aluminum, and the touchscreen is 4K. The keyboard is composed of carbon fiber with white backlighting, which is lightning-fast. This laptop offers USB Type-A and USB Type-C ports, two great features.
This laptop boasts a fast-performing Intel Core i7 processor. A laptop better serves scientific computing with 16 GB of RAM. 512 GB SSD storage provides a significant quantity of storage for your essential files. Data can also be rapidly transferred.
It is hard to find a laptop that is not negatively impacted by scientific computing work in terms of battery life. This laptop has an average battery life, making it ideal for a day or two of intermittent use. This keyboard is well-constructed and incredibly responsive.
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Vibrant Screen
- High-End Performance
- Good Battery life
Cons
- Heavy in weight
ASUS VIVOBOOK S15 – Best Laptop for Scientists
- CPU: Intel Core i5-8250U (Up to 3.4GHz)
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- GPU: Intel UHD graphics 620
- Display: 15.6” Slim and Portable
- Battery: Up to 8+ Hours
The VivoBook S15 is a very stylish and affordable notebook. It features fantastic color schemes that you will appreciate. I’m stunned by the breathtaking shade of its green model. Design is only half of the equation. Just as important is the performance.
This portable laptop contains two USB ports, a battery and charging LED indications, and a micro SD card. As well as HDMI, USB 3.1, 3.5mm headphone jack, DC, and USB Type-C also have USB 2.0 and an SD card reader. Since there’s no connectivity to worry about, you don’t have to be concerned.
Typing on the keyboard is going to be comfy, and you’re going to appreciate the tactical touchpad. I’m surprised by how clear the sound is. With 8 GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5-8250U processor, you’ll enjoy the superb performance.
This drive contains a 256 GB SSD, which lets you transfer data swiftly and store a vast amount of data. It lasts for 8 hours and 15 minutes, and it is better than the vast majority of laptops. To get the best quality video calls, go with a 720p webcam.
Pros
- Sleek Design
- High-Quality Performance
- Different Color Options
- Affordable
Cons
- Display is a bit dull
APPLE MACBOOK PRO 15 – Best Laptop for Data Science Students
- CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 630
- Display: 15.4 Inches
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
Data scientists can relax while using it: it offers trouble-free usage. Data security on the Apple platform comes at a price, of course. It is an excellent acquisition if you work with scientific data that needs to be secure.
Complementing the laptop’s aesthetics, the Best Laptop for Scientific Computing offers valuable shortcut buttons and works as the function key bar.
The MacBook Pro is renowned for its slick and beautiful design and exceptional performance. This notebook’s unbelievable speed works exceptionally well for such tasks as 3D modeling and is also fantastic for applications like IBM SPSS.
While it looks good, the clarity and brightness of the display make it suitable for working for lengthy periods. The trackpad is an excellent feature.
It works pretty well, allowing you to navigate quickly between your work files. Battery life is fantastic, too. If you look at everything Apple has done to make your job better, you’ll see there’s nothing they haven’t already taken care of.
The touch bar is perfect for unconventional uses, such as using Safari.
Pros
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- Brilliant Retina display
- 2.6GHz Intel Core i7
Cons
- Costly
ACER PREDATOR HELIOS 300 – Best Laptop for Data Science Machine Learning
- CPU: Intel i7-9750H
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
- GPU: GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
- Display: 15.6″ Full HD 144Hz 3ms IPS
- Battery: Up to 6 Hours
The Acer Helios 300 scientific notebook is a high-performance computer designed to put advanced analytics skills to the test of those who can afford it.
This excellent laptop comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and can be upgraded to 32GB.
It is the third best-selling laptop on Amazon in March of 2020.
This IPS screen boasts color accuracy and viewing angles compared to other models in its price range.
Although laptops with an outstanding display can be found in this budget, a data analyst would still benefit from this screen.
This CPU performs everything incredibly fluidly, and its GPU is an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with 6GB of video RAM. Though this notebook is loaded with features, the surprise is the GPU, as no other business has provided a GTX 1060 at this price.
Without playing any scientific program or doing any heavy or demanding work, it may run for up to 4 hours before shutting down. However, when doing the same things more intensively, it can last up to 1.5 to 2 hours before shutting down.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 can be purchased for under $1000.
Pros
- High system performance
- Comfortable keyboard
- Good battery life
Cons
- No USB-C Gen 2
- No Thunderbolt support
ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS S – Best Laptop for Scientific Computing
- CPU: Intel Core i7-8750H
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD
- GPU: GeForce GTX 1070
- Display: 15.6” 144Hz IPS Type
- Battery: Up to 6+ Hours
The Asus ROG Zephyrus S is a lightweight scientific notebook with an excellent price to performance ratio.
The style of this model is very similar to the ASUS ROG Zephyrus, which ASUS introduced in 2017. It uses a magnesium alloy chassis in the portion of the ventilation ports and an aluminum chassis elsewhere.
Resulting in the chassis being black on the outside and inside, and on the sides. Once the screen is unfolded, we see that the top half of the keyboard serves as air ventilation.
This laptop’s keyboard and trackpad are located at the bottom, making it one of a kind. While the RGB backlight doesn’t produce much light, it might be an issue for some customers.
This laptop comes with a powerful GeForce GTX 2070 graphics card. It is a light 4.6-pound (2-kg) laptop that is easy to travel with.
That battery life is on par with other devices of its kind. Its duration can range between two and three hours, depending on its application. These attributes are well-suited to the price point of Low Price.
Pros
- Great display
- Plenty of USD ports
Cons
- Noisy Fan
Gigabyte Aero 15 – Best Laptop for Data Science 2022
- CPU: i7-9750H
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: M.2 PCIe 512GB SSD
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX1660Ti
- Display: 15.6 Thin Bezel UHD
- Battery: Up to 8 Hours
In the past few years, Gigabyte has delivered some of the best computers. This laptop demonstrates that this corporation has been offering even better items to its loyal clients.
The Aero 15 is an outstanding laptop, providing an exceptionally smooth computing experience in the scientific disciplines.
Several different meanings might be associated with the term “scientific computing.” More complex tasks include dealing with a large amount of data, creating 3D models, and applying machine learning. It’s a fabulous all-around computer.
The most compelling reason for choosing this laptop is its high-quality display. The monitor is 15.6 inches and has a 4K resolution. This Samsung AMOLED panel delivers high-quality color and fantastic precision.
It’s a very color-accurate display, and it’s excellent for a wide range of applications, like data processing, research, and media consumption. You will want to pay attention to the sharp lettering on the screen if you will be reading much on this display.
This monitor supports the P3 color gamut, has more colors than the entire sRGB color spectrum, and has 100% P3 color gamut support. It was awarded the X-Rite Pantone seal of approval, and that is a feather in its cap.
The bezels that surround the display are just 3mm thick. By using a thin bezel design, the overall experience is less disturbed. Additionally, there is a unique protective bumper that shields the display from harm with an internal dampener.
You’ll need privacy and security in this gadget because you plan to use it for scientific computing. The WebCam comes with a movable camera cover, so you can protect your privacy while still using the camera. Also, a fingerprint reader is incorporated into the security so that you can set files and other data to be encrypted.
This laptop’s keyboard is fantastic. It is a terrific layout, and the keys are well-spaced, so you get a great tactile feel. The travel on the keys feels nice, and the feedback is immensely gratifying.
Gigabyte calls the keyboard illuminated with RGB fusion 2.0, which offers additional illumination and lets you set up numerous zones. This trackpad works as expected.
The Gigabyte Aero 15 has an Intel Core i7 processor under the hood. This six-core i7 9750H processor has a base clock speed of 2.6 GHz and a maximum of 4.5 GHz. The cache memory of 12 MB is included with the processor to help with office tasks like spreadsheets and other tasks.
It is likely that this processor, from the 9th generation of Intel chips, is the most powerful processor made. Regardless matter how resource-intensive it is, it can handle any application. One minor issue with this processor is that it generates a lot of heat when it is being driven hard.
This laptop comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM in the memory department. A RAM clock speed of 2666MHz gives you the bandwidth you need for multitasking while still preserving memory speed. Even if that is your thing, you will be able to operate virtual machines and do some machine learning.
This laptop’s storage is fast. Our PCIe NVME M.2 SSD comes in at 512GB. The SSD can read and write data at super rapid speeds. A lot of data, including large files, can be moved within seconds.
In only a few seconds, it boots up the operating system, which also helps to improve every area of the laptop’s performance.
This PC has an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card. It is a very high-quality graphics card, and it comes with a 6GB GDDR6 dedicated video RAM.
You will be able to play any game you desire with this graphics card. In addition, you will be able to run graphically demanding applications without negatively affecting the overall laptop performance.
The gigabyte aero 15 outperforms expectations in the connectivity department. There are also SD card readers, HDMI connectors, and tiny display connections. Every day, every single port will be in use.
Additionally, the laptop includes WiFi 6 enabled, granting you ultra-fast internet connectivity without the need for wires. Additionally, Bluetooth 4.2 is included, further increasing connectivity and range.
A complete 15-inch gaming laptop has a 94Whr battery. It is a good-sized size, and as a result, we expect good-sized real-life results. Since this is a powerful laptop with high-end hardware, it lasts roughly eight hours with light use.
Gigabyte’s Aero 15 is an exceptional laptop that has all the capabilities you’ll need.
Pros
- Amazing display
- Fingerprint reader
- Beastly performance
- Camera cover
Cons
- A bit expensive
Lenovo ThinkPad T480 – Best Laptop for Scientists
- CPU: Intel 8th Gen Quad-Core i5-8250U
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD)
- GPU: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Display: 14″ Full HD FHD(1920×1080)
- Battery: Up to 20 Hours
Budget scientific computing has the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 as an option.
This Lenovo ThinkPad model, which handles high-end scientific computing needs, comes with all the needed components. The fact that the pricing is reasonable is undoubtedly an advantage.
A high-quality display is essential, even if it is a budget system. This 14-inch monitor boasts a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and an antiglare surface.
Because the IPS panel is handling the display, the colors are great. Both the viewing angles and the contrast ratio are top-notch. Because you’ll enjoy watching movies and TV shows on this display as much as you would browsing the web and doing research on it, you’ll like viewing movies and TV shows on this display.
Without a keyboard, scientific computing can be quite challenging to conduct. This Lenovo laptop offers a great keyboard. The keys are placed correctly, with a nice amount of travel.
The illuminated screens also make it possible to work in darker locations, such as closets or underground parking lots. This trackpad works flawlessly on Windows with very little to no effort.
When you buy the laptop, you can have the connectivity options you desire. The only USB ports on this device are USB type C and USB 3.1 Gen 1. There is also one ethernet port, an HDMI port, an MMC, SD, SDHC, SDXC reader, and a headphone jack. Another advantage is that 802.11AC WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 are supported, too.
It can either be an issue or not, depending on your demands. Intel HD Graphics 620 is a good graphics card that works great when you have graphics-intensive applications.
When it comes to managing daily apps, the 8th generation Intel quad-core i5 processor and the 16GB of RAM perform pretty well. They provide sufficient computing power and accomplish tasks without any issues.
Battery life is also a bonus. You should be able to achieve at least seven hours of battery life even if you use the device moderately. As your workload grows, your battery life will diminish.
To sum up, the Lenovo ThinkPad T480 is a gorgeous laptop with essential features that also offer good value for the money. It makes it an excellent choice for people who work in the field of science.
Pros
- Affordable
- Fast storage
- Excellent performance
Cons
- None
MacBook Pro 16 – Best Laptop for Data Science Students
- CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- GPU: AMD Radeon Pro 5300M
- Display: 16-inch
- Battery: Up to 11 hours wireless web
It is Apple’s most premium laptop, which is packed with top-of-the-line components. If you are a fan of the Macs, the experience is worth the money you pay.
A 16-inch panel that has retina resolution is what we have here. You’re going to have a difficult time finding a single pixel from a standard sitting position, which has more than 4 million pixels.
For color accuracy and visual quality, the display is the industry standard. It matches and outperforms UHD TVs and produces a great picture.
This display is the way to go for a professional quality application & This application is an excellent choice for data analysis, photo editing, video editing, simulations, and much more. This display is ideal for watching films and TV programs for fun.
There are arguably no better speakers on any laptop than those on this one. Excellent sound quality and robust bass performance are both features this product offers. So far, no one has made a laptop that has the same amount of processing power as an Apple product and yet still has better battery life.
This MacBook Pro contains an Intel Core i7 core CPU with six cores. This laptop is powerful and should handle any application you may want to use.
Even when compared with a Windows laptop, the macOS programs perform smoothly and provide a more pleasant computing experience. Processor involvement is unquestionable.
16GB of RAM is included in the memory department of the MacBook Pro. This RAM is of the DDR4 variety, and it provides all the multitasking flexibility you’ll need. Selecting the proper amount of RAM for your working style will be difficult.
512GB of storage should be more than adequate for most people. Due to the space requirements, the storage will be sufficient for scientific computing.
The AMD Radeon Pro M5300 GPU is found in the MacBook Pro models. A dedicated graphics card with a 6 GB reliable video RAM is superb.
It deals with graphically intense apps without a problem and even manages to outperform the equivalent level of performance from Nvidia GPUs, which is rather astounding.
If you use your MacBook Pro lightly, you should achieve between eight to ten hours of battery life. However, when workload increases, so do the likelihood of this number decreasing. Despite being a powerful laptop, the MacBook Pro provides exceptional battery life.
On the whole, the MacBook Pro is a great notebook that provides everything you need to go further in your scientific computing. It is a laptop for you if you like the Apple computers.
Pros
- Beautiful display
- Impressive battery life3
- Excellent processing power
Cons
- Only USB type C port
HP ENVY 13 – Best Laptop for Scientific Computing
- CPU: Intel Core i7-8565U
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce MX250
- Display: 13.99 Inches 4K Touchscreen
- Battery: Up to 12+ hours
We discovered the laptop has a 4K-resolution touch screen, an Intel Core i7-8565U processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
This new Envy range of HP notebooks does honor the existing lineup. When it comes to looks, envy can practically destroy nearly all high-end laptops.
With a weight of 2.8 pounds and only 0.6 inches broad, this laptop is ideal for those who prefer to travel light.
In the 4K HDR display, colors and sharpness explode into view, giving the image a striking ambiance.
The 4K touchscreen is responsive, and the on-screen touch feedback is vibrant and immerses users in utilizing default drawing programs like Snip and Sketch, which are more exciting thanks to the screen’s responsiveness.
Suppose you aren’t interested in the initial time commitment required to use a digitizer tablet before writing the code. In that case, this expertise can come in handy when wireframing with wireframe tools for the app’s user interface.
You can use high-performance simply by combining the i7-8565U processor, 16GB of SDRAM, and a 512GB SSD. You can run many Google Chrome tabs while you debug and compile the code; while you do this, you can simultaneously view your favorite 4K movie.
Pros
- Latest Intel CPU tech
- All-day battery life
- Compact all-metal chassis
Cons
- No USB-C charging
- Bouncy keyboard
FAQs – Best Laptop for Scientific Computing
Do PhD programs give you a laptop?
Most people don't get a laptop as a gift. In most situations, a powerful workstation is offered to students who need to perform high-intensity computations on their own computers. You can expect a decent desktop if you work in a well-funded laboratory.
Are Chromebooks good for grad students?
In terms of price and performance, the Samsung Chromebook 3 is one of the best budget laptops available for online college and courses. Even though this Samsung laptop has an 11.6-inch screen and 2GB of memory, it should meet the needs of most students in the classroom.
Is MacBook good for research students?
Apple's laptops can handle any task you throw at them, whether it's the powerful MacBook Pro or the ultra-portable MacBook Air. MacBook Air (M1,2020) is the finest MacBook for students, according to our reviewers. Almost any academic obstacle you have can be overcome with this tool.
Conclusion
The long and laborious selection of the 10 Best Laptops for Scientific Computing is finally finished.
To choose the best laptop for students in computer science, you should first decide what you want to focus on and prioritize. Then, you should select a laptop that is suited to your exact user requirements.
Very nice!