College Laptop Help

[Bzdougie]

I was thinking g about getting an XPS 15 for engineering school but before I buy, are there any other laptops close to this one in specs? I'm just looking for a nice laptop to last me about 4-6 years. Good battery life. Isn't big and look like a gamer laptop, but can game very lightly. Thin bezels are also a bonus. I'd be willing to spend about $1800. But looking for the most bang for my buck. Also any advice on laptops would be appreciated!!

I5 vs I7?

HQ vs U? (Is HQ really necessary for an engineering student)

Good laptop brand? Customer service build quality etc

 

[Marshnt]

Have you looked at the MSI stealth and defiantly get a i7 if your expecting to use CADD

[Bzdougie]

Just now, Marshnt said:

Have you looked at the MSI stealth. and defiantly get a i7 if your expecting to use CADD

Don't really like the whole gamer look of msi. I was think something more professional looking like a zen book, thinkpad, or yoga?

[Fredrikmikael]

i7 is probably a waste, and going for an i5 can result in improved battery life in some scenarios.

I assume you aren't gonna play new AAA titles, but more like CS/LoL/Dota2, etc.. ?

[Bzdougie]

Just now, Fredrikmikael said:

i7 is probably a waste, and going for an i5 can result in improved battery life in some scenarios.

I assume you aren't gonna play new AAA titles, but more like CS/LoL/Dota2, etc.. ?

CS and Overwatch are all I'll be playing. 

[Marshnt]

 

4 minutes ago, Bzdougie said:

Don't really like the whole gamer look of msi. I was think something more professional looking like a zen book, thinkpad, or yoga?

The stealth only has a small badge not the normal "gamer look". I also hate this look its just tacky.

[Bzdougie]

Just now, Marshnt said:

 

The stealth only has a small badge not the normal "gamer look". I also hate this look its just tacky.

I actually had the stealth for about 3 weeks but the battery life was garbage so I returned it

[Marshnt]

2 minutes ago, Bzdougie said:

I actually had the stealth for about 3 weeks but the battery life was garbage so I returned it

What were your times?

[Bzdougie]

2 minutes ago, Marshnt said:

What were your times?

3-4 hours. 

[Marshnt]

Just now, Bzdougie said:

3-4 hours. 

That is normal for a powerful laptop with a discrete video card. If you really need battery life get a ultra book.

[Bzdougie]

Just now, Marshnt said:

That is normal for a powerful laptop with a discrete video card. If you really need battery life get a ultra book.

Do I need the graphics card for engineering school or will intel graphics suffice

[Marshnt]

2 minutes ago, Bzdougie said:

Do I need the graphics card for engineering school or will intel graphics suffice

What programs will be required for your classes.

[Bzdougie]

Just now, Marshnt said:

What programs will be required for your classes.

Autocad and matlab maybe some small programming classes like c++

[Marshnt]

2 minutes ago, Bzdougie said:

Autocad and matlab maybe some small programming classes like c++

Autocad will definitely benefit with a GPU by decreasing rendering time and general smoothness on larger items. (Just make sure hardware acceleration is on)

[Bzdougie]

22 minutes ago, Marshnt said:

Autocad will definitely benefit with a GPU by decreasing rendering time and general smoothness on larger items. (Just make sure hardware acceleration is on)

So what laptop would you suggest to me then?

[Marshnt]

5 minutes ago, Bzdougie said:

So what laptop would you suggest to me then?

In the end its up to you I personal would get a MSI stealth but if i was concerned with battery I would look further in to a ultra books.