In these ever-evolving times, technology has become an integral part of our daily life and rules most of our day to day tasks. Laptops have replaced most mental and physical activities, reduced the workforce, and improved our technical interests.
When it comes to buying a top-notch laptop, it’s a daunting task as the market is filled with the best laptops with different features. This does not only make it overwhelming, but you may end up with something you don’t want.
When looking for the best laptops for network engineers, you must keep in mind that not every top-class laptop will match your needs. A network engineering laptop must be useful, fast, and efficient.
If you’re looking for the best machine that will suit all your engineering needs, look no further. This guide will help you get the best laptops for network engineers to give you the ultimate experience.
Contents
FAQs
Which Laptop Brand is the Best for Network Engineers?
The brand does not count. What is important is the laptop’s features. Network engineering laptops need to be fast, easy to work with, and have great memory space.
Are 2-in-1 Laptops Good for Network Engineering?
Absolutely! 2-in-1 laptops are good for engineering. The best part is that it’s portable and lightweight to carry around.
Do Networking Engineers Need 10th Gen H-series Processors?
Although the 10th gen processors are impressive, the H-series can be excess if you’re into simple tasks. Go for a 10th gen H-series processor if you’re a professional network engineer. A U-series processor is sufficient for most engineering processes.
Is MacBook Good For Professional Network Engineers?
If you have an interest in coding, the MacBook Pro is a reliable machine to buy. However, if you’re a network engineering student, it’s better if you use a Windows-powered notebook due to the software compatibility it offers. Besides, if you go for MacBook, go for dual boot support for getting app support for Linux OS or Windows.
How Much RAM is needed by a Network Engineer?
As a general rule of thumb, 8GB of RAM is sufficient for network engineers, provided they carry out moderately demanding tasks. However, you need 16GB RAM for complex engineering tasks considering the massive workload that might need managing.
Minimum and Recommended System Requirements
| Minimum System Requirements | Recommended System Requirements | |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce MX350 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or more |
| Display | 14” FHD | 15.6” FHD IPS |
| Battery | Up to 5 hours | Up to 8 hours |
| CPU | 10th Gen Intel Core i5 | 9th Gen Intel Core i7 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD | 1TB SSD |
Laptops for Network Engineers Buying Guide
Have you ever bought a product and realized that’s not what you wanted? Well, it happens mostly. In fact, we’re so excited to buy a new machine that we ignore all the things we expect the products to have.
Purchasing a laptop isn’t an exception, and with tons of options out there, it’s quite easy to forget what we want. Avoid these disappointments by following our laptop for network engineers buying guide to ensure you get what you deserve. Here’s a list of the most crucial features that an engineering laptop should have.
CPU
The processor is the most crucial part of any laptop, and while gaming gadgets mostly pay attention to GPUS, laptops for network engineers prioritize the CPU. Engineering software is more complex and blends well with an i5 or i7 core; the more cores a processor has, the faster it will be. If you’ve serious engineering tasks, an Intel i7 core will be a perfect match.
RAM and SSD Storage
The laptop’s RAM is a crucial feature that all network engineers should be keen on. An 8GB of RAM is sufficient for average tasks; however, it might be challenging for network engineering. Therefore, 16GB of RAM is recommended for network engineers to ensure you’ve adequate data storage for your needs.
Additionally, go for a laptop with an SSD for fast boot-up times and excellent multitasking capabilities. Similarly, an SSD performs well when running full software when compared to an HDD.
Display
A laptop with a 1080p display is more than enough to suit all network engineering needs. However, if you’re not operating on a budget, you can go for a higher screen resolution. Additionally, it should have a screen size of around a 14-inch mark as it enhances the display area for multitasking capabilities.
Operating System
Most software for network engineering needs Windows OS. Although you can run some programs on the MacBook Pro, it comes at a sacrifice. Therefore, a Windows OS will be your best companion on a laptop for coding and programming.
Price
Price plays a significant role in the laptop you buy. We all operate under a certain price limit, and no matter how much you like the features of a laptop, ultimately, it may not fit your budget. Therefore, you must choose one that fits your budget. Luckily, we have laptops that have premium features without breaking the bank.
Best Laptops for Network Engineers Reviews
New Apple MacBook Pro
If you’re looking for a top-notch laptop with outstanding features suitable for network engineering, the New Apple MacBook Pro is a good choice. Although it’s an expensive model, this laptop makes engineering work a lot easier and helps you do your work faster. One of the best things about this laptop is that it has a big and beautiful workspace for excellent engineering work.
This 16” laptop comes with a ninth-gen 6-core Intel core i7 processor that makes the machine faster than any other laptop. With this laptop, you don’t have to worry about graphics; it comes with a high-quality AMD Radeon Pro 5000M series that delivers outstanding graphics.
Additionally, the New Apple MacBook Pro comes with a Touch Bar and Touch ID for fast access. It also has four USB-C ports and a six-speaker system for amazing audio quality.
Features
- 16” retina display
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- 802.11AC Wi-Fi
- 512GB storage
- 16GB RAM
Pros
- Best choice for network engineers
- Has great memory and fast speed
- Amazing Retina display
- Outstanding processor
- Wide color gamut
- A comfortable and quiet typing experience
Cons
- The machine is slightly heavy
- The cost of BTO options is quite high
- Expensive
Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
The Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop is a premium quality machine that comes complete with unique and top-class features for network engineering. It’s hard to find a top-class laptop that does not leave a dent in your wallet. Therefore you should opt for this laptop that has a perfect combination of affordability and quality.
This laptop comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, making it a perfect match for engineering tasks. The Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop also comes with 256GB SSD and 16GB DDR4. However, storage can be expanded according to our needs. What’s more, it has two lithium batteries that offer you a good battery life of 7 hours without heating issues.
Features
- 15.6” Full HD display
- 3ms response time
- 300-nit brightness level
- RGB Backlit keyboard
- 16GB DDR4
Pros
- Comes with three USB ports
- Smooth keyboard
- Very affordable
- Good battery life
- High performance
Cons
- Low-quality metal exterior
- Standard cooling system
ASUS UX333FA-AB77 ZenBook 13 Ultra-Slim Laptop
If you’re not operating on a budget, the ASUS UX333FA-AB77 ZenBook 13 Ultra-Slim Laptop is a good investment. This laptop has been specially designed for engineers. Although it has a high price tag, it has good returns on investment. This ultra-slim notebook has military-standard durability and can serve you for years.
This laptop comes with an 8th gen processor that delivers enough power to handle any network engineering software. With this laptop, you’re guaranteed excessive multitasking and no hung-up issues.
Features
- 13.3-inch Full HD
- Backlit keyboard
- 16GB RAM
- Windows 10 Pro
- 512GB PCle SSD
Pros
- Super durable
- High-performance components
- Clear and a high-resolution display
- Extended battery life
- Dual-function Touchpad
- Extensive connectivity
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Bad trackpad
Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop
The Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop is a high-tech machine mostly used by network engineers. This laptop has a perfect balance of portability and power, together with a durable aluminum body. It comes with a 1920×1080 max resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. What’s more, it has a battery life of approximately 5-6 hours, which is a major drawback of this machine.
Features
- 15.6” Full HD display
- 16GB RAM
- CNC aluminum body
- Chroma RGB lighting
- USB Type-C
Pros
- Ultra-fast and powerful
- Super durable
- Multiple connectivity options
- Customizable backlit keyboard
Cons
- Low battery life
- Poor customer support
Acer Aspire R 15 2-in-1 Laptop
The Acer Aspire R 15 2-in-1 Laptop is the most pocket-friendly convertible laptop out there. This laptop is among the best laptops for network engineers operating on a budget. It also comes with 256GB SSD storage, 12GB RAM, and up to 9 hours of battery charge on a single charge. What’s more, it has four modes of operation, such as Tent, Notebook, tablet, and display.
Features
- 15.6” full HD touch
- 12GB RAM
- Windows 10 Home OS
- Acer Fingerprint reader
- NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
Pros
- 4 modes of operation
- Good battery life
- Soft-touch keyboard
- Affordable laptop
Cons
- Less memory
- Slow hard drive
Conclusion
If you’re a network engineer and looking for the best laptops for network engineers, you must do some intensive research before adding a machine to the cart.
This will help you choose a laptop that suits your engineering needs.
This guide will help you grab the most reliable laptop for your interests and skills.
Good luck!