The most important thing to consider when you're a chemical engineering student in 2024—and I can't stress this enough—is you should avoid any laptop that isn't Windows based. Unfortunately, this includes the latest Macs on the market. Windows makes it much easier to be able to install applications that are usually required by all programs (AutoCAD, Visio, Adobe, etc) and the obscure application a ChE professor will inevitably throw your way.
Beyond OS, you'll want to take these factors into account as well:
SSD — You won't want to go less than 256GB here, and 512GB-1TB is really the ideal if you can stretch your budget.
Processor Speed — Make sure this is above at least 2.8Ghz
Memory —16GB is the minimum, and again, if you can stretch for 32GB it'll make it easier to multitask between different applications.
2-in-1 Functionality — This one depends a bit on your coursework, but if you'll be taking chemistry or physics courses, you may find it a significant benefit to have a stylus and touchscreen capability for note-taking.
Let's dive in to the top laptops for chemical engineering majors:
Best Overall Laptop for Chemical Engineering
The Microsoft Pro 9 is about as dual-threat as it gets in laptops in 2024. The touchscreen rivals the iPad Pro in terms of responsiveness, but don't let the bells and whistles fool you —this guy is a beast for performance too. We chose the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 the best for chemical engineers as the overall best laptop, in part because there's so many storage and memory options you can choose from. The 16GB / 512GB RAM/SSD version we think is the perfect medium, but you can go for a more budget-friendly 8GB/256GB or up it to 32GB/1TB. The i7 processor is also exactly what you'll need for speed on ChE applications.
The touchscreen and responsive stylus advantage is also crucial for Chemistry courses where you'll need to be writing notes, and not typing them.
Main downside here is the cost, but you can always go down to the 8 or snag it when it hits a sale on Amazon.
See price on Amazon here
Best Budget Laptop
Another 2-in-1 laptop prime for note-taking, the HP Envy x360 is priced below the Surface Pro and comes with the same specs in terms of RAM (16GB) and processor (i7), but actually offers even more storage (1TB). While the display is impressive with Intel Iris Xe graphics, I still prefer the realistic touchscreen and the lighter weight of the Surface Pro, and it's the only area this laptop fell a bit flat for me. I think the Envy x360 is perfect for those on a budget who also don't want to sacrifice performance.
See price on Amazon here
Honorable Mentions
I really think this Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 is a solid choice for chemical engineering students who need a versatile and powerful laptop. My main gripe is the price, but if you can splurge then go for it. Its premium design, high-performance specs, and exceptional AMOLED display make it a stud for chemical engineering professionals and students alike.
And yeah sure, it comes at a higher price, but the added features and overall quality justify the cost, making it a top contender for students seeking a reliable and multifunctional device.
The Aspire on the other hand is a great budget bet in my own university experience. Overall I think this is a solid choice for chemical engineering students looking for a budget-friendly laptop that doesn’t compromise on performance. While it doesn’t scream the premium features of higher-end models, it offers reliable performance, a decent display, and good battery life at an affordable price. For students who need a dependable and cost-effective device for their studies, the Aspire 5 is one you can’t go wrong with and the Acer team keeps me impressed with their models each year.