Best Laptops for Simulations: 2020 Buyer’s Guide

Mostly used by scientists, engineers, designers, and mathematicians, a simulation software provides its users with practical feedback and with an accurate outcome on the product. Simulation software uses computation methods to test the viability of an operation before performing it in real life. And if you like working on the go, and wondering what type of laptop to get for running simulations, we have compiled this list just for you! But before we tell you about our best laptops for Simulations, let’s  first get more info what to look for in this case.

What is a Simulation software?

A simulation software usually allows users to: analyze data; design a simulation workflow through mathematical formulas; manipulate human-machine interactions; develop objects in three dimensions; display time-varying behavior in models; and express conditional dependencies between variables.

If you’re looking for a laptop for running simulations, you must first have an idea what type of simulation software you will be using. When it comes to simulation software, there are quite a few options out there: AnyLogic, MATLAB, Simulink, Arena….etc.

Here are a few things to consider when looking for a laptop for simulations.

How To Choose A Laptop For Simulations?

It’s extremely important to choose the right laptop for your needs. There a few features that you should consider when browsing through our suggested options. Let’s analyze them in detail:

• Processor: Nowadays, most laptop CPUs are powerful enough to handle simulation software. We recommend at least an 8th gen  Intel i5 processor for running  simulation software. However, if you’re going to work on complex projects, look for a fast multicore processor, such as an i7 or an i9.

• RAM : RAM memory is the most important feature to look out for when it comes to using any simulation software. Since these programs consist of working with large data sets, you must ensure that your laptop has enough memory to support it. Getting a device with less than 8 GB would be a mistake, so try to go for 16 GB or even more.

• Storage: It is always recommended to go with a device that has an SSD over an HDD is a crucial decision, since an SSD is going to make the laptop up to three times faster than with a regular hard drive.
• Graphics Card: Having a dedicated graphics card is not that important, unless you intend to use GPU accelerated computing. Most laptops come with integrated GPUs, which will cover most of the tasks you’ll ever need to perform on a simulation software. However, go for a dedicated graphics card in case you need more graphics power.

Also, something to keep in mind is that most laptops are not built with upgradability in mind. This means that you will probably be stuck with those specifications until you change devices again. In order to prevent a short lifespan of your device, always get the most power you can in your price range.

Best Laptops for Simulations:

So, now that you have an idea what to consider, let’s check out some of the best laptops for Simulations, we selected for you. In our list, you will find that most of the laptops are gaming laptops, which are also good for doing simulations and heavy computing tasks.

Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-52-78VL

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First on our list, the Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-52-78VL is a notorious gaming laptop; but it’s also a good choice if you’re looking for a capable laptop for running simulations, that’s relatively affordable. It’s equipped with a 9th gen intel i7 9750H processor, that has 6 cores, 16Gb of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a dedicated Nvidia GTX 1660Ti graphics card. Needless to say that the Acer Predator Helios 300 is capable of running most simulation software with no problems.

This laptop also features a 144Hz display, at Full HD resolution, and there are also plenty of ports, including 3 usb ports, 1 USB C, HDMI, Minidisplay and HDMI.

Alienware M15 AWYA15-7947BLK-PU

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The Alienware M15 AWYA15-7947BLK-PU gives you quite the power and speed to tackle most tasks, like playing games, watching movies or just browsing the web. The Alienware M15 shines by not freezing or lagging where most devices do.

This machine is equipped with a 9^th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU. It has a great lighted keyboard, good speakers and a fan that keeps the heat under control. The screen is a FHD 15.6-inch display, and the image looks sharp and bright, on a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It has three USB 3.1 ports, along with one Thunderbolt 3 port, and the battery lasts up to two hours.

Omen by HP 15-dc1047nr

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If you’re also looking for a versatile device, then the Omen by HP 15-dc1047nr is a great laptop for all kinds of usage. With a 9^th Generation Intel i7 processor, 32 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 GPU, the Omen shows some cutting-edge gaming performance. However, that power will also come in handy when using a simulation software.

For its price, the laptop has an impressive premium-feel build quality. It’s also lightweight and has a good set of sound speakers already built-in. The screen is a 15.6-inch FHD display, with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It has two USB 3.1 ports, one HDMI output, one Mini DisplayPort, one USB 3.1 Type-C port and one media card, reader. The battery will last up to four hours.

HP ZBook 15V G5

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For those of you looking for a more professional laptop fro simulations, meet the HP ZBook 15V G5. This is  a hybrid laptop workstation that packs a huge amount of RAM memory, a big and fast storage SSD and a powerful professional entry-level Nvidia Quadro GPU.

Giving it such power is a fast 8^th Generation Intel i7 processor, 32 GB of RAM, a 2 TB SSD and a dedicated NVIDIA Quadro P600 GPU. The screen is a 15.6-inch FHD touchscreen display and has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It has one USB Type-C Thunderbolt port, three USB 3.1 ports, and one HDMI output. The battery life is of about nine hours.

MSI P75 Creator-469

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Don’t be deceived by the minimalist and professional look of the MSI P75 Creator-469. Under the hood, this device is packing gaming-like hardware. It’s equipped with a fast Intel Core i9 processor with eight cores, 32 GB of RAM, a 1 TB SSD and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 GPU, proving this device is also suited for GPU programming.

The build quality is quite nice, especially the trackpad, which has a nice feel to it. Most of the MSI P75’s body is aluminum instead of plastic, and that makes a huge difference giving it a premium-quality look. The screen is a 17.3-inch FHD display, with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The machine has one Thunderbolt 3 port, one USB 3.2 Type-C port, three USB 3.2 ports, one HDMI output, and one Micro SD slot. The battery will last up to eight hours of usage.

Lenovo ThinkPad P73

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The Lenovo ThinkPad P73 is a powerful portable workstation, and one of the most expensive ones too. Destined for advanced users, this device has the specifications capable of tackling demanding workflows, such as GPU programming. It’s also certified for use with a lot of 3D modelling and CAD programs. It’s equipped with a fast Intel Core i9 processor that has eight cores, some surprising 32 GB of RAM, a fast and big 1 TB SSD and a powerful dedicated NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000 GPU.

The screen is a 17.3-inch UHD display with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. It has three USB 3.1 ports, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a media card reader and one HDMI output. The battery is supposed to last up to some incredible 16.9 hours.