Electronic Engineering Laptop recommendations
| Component | Recommended Minimum spec for buying a new laptop | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 | As a TCD student, you can purchase a Windows 11 Home edition and upgrade it for free to Windows 11 Education in the College. See FAQs below for comments on Mac OSX |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 or equivalent | 10th Gen Core i5, i7, and i9 meets the requirements |
| RAM | 16GB | |
| Storage | 512 SSD | SSDs are much faster than conventional HDDs |
| GPU | Integrated | |
| Battery | At least 8 hours | Some tutorial spaces on Campus may not have power sockets for students |
| Screen | At least 13” in size. Minimum 1920x1080 resolution | |
| Connectivity | USB-A ports required for external hardware | Adaptors from USB-C to USB-A are available; factor this into the overall cost of the laptop purchase |
FAQ's
All engineering students are expected to have access to a laptop to participate in digital learning activities and to complete laboratory assignments and projects.
Probably not. The Engineering timetable involves many hours of scheduled activity each day, so sharing a laptop is generally not practical.
In short, no. A tablet may be suitable to engage with online lectures, however some of the engineering software packages required for labs will only run on a Windows based PC.
Any reasonably up‑to‑date laptop running Windows 11 should be able to run the required software. The recommended minimum specification is intended as guidance for students purchasing a new device, to help ensure good performance. If your current laptop falls below this spec, it may run some tasks more slowly, but it could still be adequate for your needs.
Although many engineering software packages are available for macOS, some required tools run only on Windows. For this reason, we don’t recommend using an Apple Mac for engineering software, and we’re unable to provide support for it.
Some engineering software and certain external hardware are not compatible with macOS. You can try workarounds such as installing Windows 11 on a Mac via BootCamp, but the process can be complex and isn’t guaranteed to work. In particular, some FPGA boards may not function correctly under Windows 11 on a Mac. MacBooks with Apple’s M‑series processors tend to be less compatible with engineering tools than older Intel‑based models.
You don’t need anything exotic — a standard home broadband connection is usually enough for study, streaming lectures, and everyday engineering coursework. The best option depends on what’s available where you live.
Engineering software packages can be large, so at least 512GB SSD is recommended. Many students prefer 512GB or more to comfortably store projects, simulations, and datasets.
Chromebooks are generally not recommended because many engineering applications require the Windows environment. Some tools may run through the cloud, but performance and compatibility can be limited.
The college provides access to required software (like MATLAB, LabVIEW, Multisim, SolidWorks, PowerWorld, etc.) once you’re enrolled. You typically don’t need to purchase anything in advance unless the department specifically instructs you to.
Battery life matters if you plan to work on campus frequently, but engineering software can be demanding and drain power quickly. A laptop that lasts 6–8 hours under light use is usually sufficient.