In anything you do, be it work in an office programming or laying brick at a construction site, you need the right tool for the job. Otherwise, it doesn't really work. And if you fancied yourself a programmer or scientist, you'll be looking for a programming language capable of realizing your vision. MATLAB is one of many such programming languages, and here we're taking a deep dive into some of the best laptops for MATLAB.
But before that, what is MATLAB?
MATLAB is a tool widely recognized and used by engineers and scientists around the world to help in a myriad of tasks. Be it for deep and machine learning, video/image processing, computational biology, signal processing, computational finance, and many more possible use cases.
In short, a handy programming language to analyze data, developing algorithms for the data, and creating models, applications and design processes for a wide spectrum of solutions. MATLAB's tools, from it's language, apps and built-in math functions helps users quickly explore multiple possible solutions until landing on the right one.
Keeping that in mind, MATLAB does require sufficient power to run efficiently and smoothly. For that, we're going to need to take a look into the minimum specs it requires to function. The list below will help us find what the best laptop for MATLAB simulations require:
Minimum Requirements
Operating Systems
OR
Processors
Any Intel (e.g Intel Core i5) or AMD x86-64 processor
Disk
3.5 GB of HDD space, typical installation will be up to 5 - 8GB.
Full installation of MathWorks products (MATLAB) can take up to 32GB space.
RAM
4GB
Graphics
No specific graphics card is required.
Based on these specs stated by the official MATLAB website, we can tell that the best laptop for the job doesn't need to be ridiculously overpowered. Which is good news for your wallet, but if you were serious about the work you're doing on MATLAB, you'll take a gander at the recommended specs to make sure you truly have one the best laptops for programming.
Check out the recommended specs below:
Recommended Specs
Processors
Any Intel (e.g Intel Core i7) or AMD x86-64 processor with at least 4 logical cores.
Disk
An SSD is recommended, with a base of at least 256GB.
RAM
8GB
For Polyspace, at least 4GB per core is recommended for your choice of laptop.
Graphics
Graphics card supporting OpenGL 3.3 with GPU memory of 1GB.
From here, we can see that the best laptops for MATLAB will require a bit more power than the stated minimum requirements. Most notably of course is the recommendation of having an Intel or AMDx86 - 64 processor with at least four logical cores, an SSD, and four extra gigs of RAM equaling to a total of 8GB memory. Anything over 8th Gen Intel processors in your laptop should do the trick.
Another thing to take into consideration when searching for a laptop is the dedicated graphics card. You don't need a graphics card, but they recommend a hardware accelerated graphics card with OpenGL 3.3 support and at least 1GB of GPU RAM. It's best we keep the graphics card as a lesser consideration as it's not as important a factor as the rest of the specs. All laptops listed will have a more than capable graphic card for running MATLAB efficiently.
Other Important Features
The specs stated for running MATLAB on a laptop aren't too intensive, so we're listing down other various features that are just as important. A few of these features are optional, but you're going to want to hit as many as you can. That's mainly because this will be a value add not only to your laptop, but additional functionality for you to use as well. Some of the features you should look out for include the battery life, the screen, keyboard, and form factor of the device.
These add-ons make for a better overall experience, and makes MATLAB a more manageable task. Let's now take a look at what these extra features for a laptop are:
Battery Life
For a laptop, the question of battery life is always a rocky one. These days, most will get you through a few hours (at least 3-4 hours) on its own battery life, while others are capable of running all day on a single charge. For most consumers, battery life isn't as big of a deal because people usually always have their charger in a bag or plugged in to their work station. But a good battery will change the way you use a laptop, so it's an important feature to keep in mind.
Some are capable of even 10 hours of battery power, left over night playing YouTube videos. I speak from experience here. Most laptop brands however do limit the battery specifications to how many hours the battery lasts, so we'll use that as a rough estimate for comparison.
Another feature set to take into consideration is how fast the laptop battery charges. But considering the laptop industry hasn't made it a norm as the smartphone industry has, the options are fairly limited. A select few in the industry have started taking charge speed seriously, so we'll take that into account for the list.
A fast laptop charge is often overlooked, but a very welcome feature for day-to-day use.
Display
Having a nice screen on something you're constantly looking at is very important. Especially so for researchers, programmers, and scientists reviewing data and using the various functionalities of MATLAB. At a minimum, you should strive for a laptop with FHD screen (Full HD) at 1920 x 1080 resolution. This is the base resolution for most content on the internet nowadays, and provides a crisp and smoother user experience.
For MATLAB specifically, the size of your screen won't matter as much. A 13" - 15.6" display should be more than sufficient for your needs.
Keep in mind that a screen better than FHD, like a 4K display, would consume more power resulting in worse battery life.
Another factor you'll have to consider in your search for the best laptops for MATLAB:
Are you looking for a laptop to fulfill your entertainment needs, or are you willing to compromise with a lesser (still capable) display for a little extra bump in battery life?
The choice is yours. But staring constantly at numbers and data on a screen is a lot better on a FHD screen.
Keyboard
One of the most overlooked features on a laptop is the keyboard. Not all keyboards are created equally, and you'd be surprised how much better one keyboard feels over another. A major consideration for keyboards are backlit keys.
A single color backlit keyboard in white for example, will allow for more flexibility in working conditions. Some late night reports need to be typed? A much easier task when you can see what you're actually typing on the laptop.
You also should be aware of the different types of keyboards that are available on laptops. Mainly we see three various types of keyboards: traditional style, chiclet style and mechanical. They look and feel different while typing, so get a feel for the various types at your local laptop store to see what fits you best.
A comfortable keyboard is paramount for those looking to input data and preparing simulations on MATLAB. Considering you're going to be typing out a lot on MATLAB, making sure the typing experience is suited to you will make things easier in the long run.
Form Factor
One thing I've learnt through testing a myriad of computers is that a smaller, lighter laptop is a joy to use. But that's me personally after using heavy, big screen gaming beasts which prioritized power over a sleek form. A smaller laptop almost makes you want to get work done and feel productive. This most often is seen in laptops with a 14-inch display or smaller. Though any less than 13", for me, seems like too much of a hit to the viewing experience on YouTube or catching a movie on Netflix.
However, screen size is one part of the form factor.
The materials used, bezel size, weight and dimensions are all important things to look for in a laptop. For MATLAB, a sleeker, lighter laptop will still be capable of running the work you're doing as the minimum requirements aren't very intensive.
Multi functional laptops like an all-in-one laptop with touchscreens and tablet functionality could also be an option here. As we're not looking too heavily into the graphics card and processor, this added functionality is a great value for buyers looking for the best their money can get.
Top 5 Best Laptops For MATLAB
Now that we've seen what other additional features we should be on the look for, let's get straight into list of the best laptops for MATLAB
1. Dell XPS 7390 13"
The Dell XPS 7390 is a solid choice for your MATLAB optimized device. It features a 13.3-inch Touchscreen InfinityEdge FHD display, which is more than sufficient for MATLAB. Added touchscreen functionality is also a plus to bring even more value to the laptop. Powering the device is a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, with up to 8GB of RAM.
This processor and RAM combo adds to its speedy performance with a 256GB SSD, which makes app loading, processing and start up times much faster. The graphics card is just a Intel UHD graphics card, which leaves a lot to be desired. But considering the requirements of MATLAB, the lower powered dedicated graphics card is passable.
The Dell XPS 7930 also features some notable functionalities including a backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and Thunderbolt 3 with PowerDelivery which can get charge speeds of up to 130W. Another stand out feature is the form factor of the laptop. It measures in at 11.70 x 8.20 x 0.50 inches and weighs in at 2.70 lbs, making it one of the sleeker devices on the list. Definitely a plus for portability.
In terms of a laptop, the Dell XPS 7390 is stacked with some of the best features for MATLAB, including the ones we mentioned above.
So far, it's ticking all the right check-marks for being the best laptop for MATLAB.
2. Lenovo ThinkPad P53s
The Lenovo ThinkPad P53s laptop is definitely built for the working professional. Adding to the heavyweight protection and military-grade required testing, it's one of the more durable, heavier devices on the list. One of the best things about the laptop is the industrial look, strong performance, and surprisingly compact dimensions. Its got a 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) screen, which can be upgraded to a 4K UHD display. That's a nice looking laptop display, perfect for MATLAB simulations.
Powering the ThinkPad P53s is the Intel Core i7 8th Gen processor which contains 4-cores and up to 4.6GHz speeds. Added to that is a base RAM storage of 16GB DDR4 RAM, expandable up to a staggering 40GB of memory. That versatility and size is not something to scoff at.
For the hard disk drive, it's 256GB SSD base storage size, expandable to 2TB of SSD storage. Considering the base 32GB requirement from MATLAB, more storage can help if you're using MATLAB or other software more often. On the battery front, the ThinkPad P53s comes with up to 14 hours batt life, and 57Wh charging with Rapid Charge technology.
So far, the Lenovo ThinkPad is looking to be a worthy contender on the list. There are also some extras that add to its value such as; a 720p HD Webcam and fingerprint unlock.
While it is on the pricier side for a laptop, it's well worth the money for the ThinkPad brand.
3. MacBook Pro 13"
Apple, one of the best recognized companies around the world also produces some pretty stellar computers. Their latest MacBook Pro 2020 is no exception. On the display is a 13-inch LED-backlit Retina display making for a gorgeous companion for programming on MATLAB, or binge watching Friends on Netflix. Apple is very well known for their crisp and clear displays with their True Tone tech, so we're confident on this nomination based on their history of products.
The latest MacBook Pro comes with a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor equipped with a quad-core setup. It also comes with up to 32GB of RAM, which will more than cover your MATLAB requirements. For the graphics, the MacBook Pro has an integrated Intel Iris Plus graphics card, and 256GB SDD of storage expandable up to 1TB.
Another staple of Apple products is the minimalist look and form factor.
The MacBook Pro comes in at 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.61 inches for its dimensions, and weighs in at 3.1 lbs. Not the lightest laptop in the world, but still very much so manageable. It is also capable of up to 10 hours of battery life making it a capable, portable workstation.
Other standout specs include Apple's backlit Magic Keyboard, Touch Bar and Touch ID. These features are exclusive to Apple, making it have a unique set of capability the other devices on the list might not.
Taking all this into consideration, the MacBook Pro is a well rounded laptop of power, aesthetics, and quality. The only setback really is the higher price point. Even so, the quality is equivalent to the price thus far, so it rightfully takes its place in the running for one of the best laptops for MATLAB.
4. Acer Aspire 5
If you're in the market for a more budget friendly, MATLAB capable laptop then the Acer Aspire 5 is for you. The best standout feature of the device is the price point, which almost halves all the prices of the devices we've listed so far. But for the lower price, you're still getting quite a bit of power under the hood. The Acer Aspire 5 comes with a 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LED backlit display allowing for a suitable working display, as well as for multimedia consumption.
On the internals, the Acer Aspire 5 comes with a 10th Generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD for snappy performance. Even though it's a 'budget' laptop, it's still housing some pretty capable processors and memory. A most welcome entry for people looking for a more affordable price point.
The Acer Aspire 5 also comes with up to 8 hours of battery life which makes it a lesser laptop compared to the rest on the list, but it's warranted when you compare the prices. Other additional features of the Acer Aspire 5 includes a backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and HD webcam for Zoom meetings and Skype calls. Its dimensions comes in at 14.31 x 9.86 x 0.71 inches , and weighs 3.97 lbs making for a moderately sized laptop.
All in all, for the money, the Acer Aspire 5 is one of the better budget performers out there, even more so for running MATLAB simulations and processes.
5. HP Pavilion 15
The HP Pavilion 15 is another great option for the budget conscious with a more affordable price point.
The laptop is powered by a 10th Gen Intel-Core i7 processor and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. For storage, the HP Pavilion opts for a higher capacity 1TB SATA hard disk drive (HDD) rather than the recommended SSD by MATLAB. However, it's not a deal breaker, especially for the storage size. It just won't be as fast as an SSD. But on paper, the high-end processor and 16 gigs of RAM will have your laptop running the best it can, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.
On to the display, you're looking at a 15.6-inch FHD touchscreen making for an attractive viewing experience. A bigger screen isn't essential for MATLAB, but it sure makes it easier on the eyes for running calculations and programming all day.
The HP Pavilion 15 also comes with a NVIDIA GeForce MX250 graphics card, which makes it capable of doing some light gaming as well. It comes with up to 8 hours of battery life, ranking it in one of the lower battery capacity laptops on the list. Still good, just not as good.
However, a major drawback of the laptop is the form factor. Most importantly, the dimensions and weight of the laptop. It comes in at 14.24 x 9.67 x 0.70 inches and weighs in at 4.25 lbs, making it one of the bulkier, heavier laptops on the list. The HP Pavilion does make up for this by coming in at a cheaper price than the other compact, lightweight laptops, making it a more tolerable exchange.
Conclusion: The Best Laptop for MATLAB
Out of all the best laptops for MATLAB we've seen so far, all are capable in their own right of helping you realize your work with the programming language. Be it calculating and running tests on the physics of the universe, or setting up machine learning A.Is, you'll be able to do it if you get yourself one of the laptops on the list.
But we do have a champion amongst the best we've seen so far, and it is none other than the Lenovo ThinkPad P53s!
This is mainly because the ThinkPad brand is so recognized in the working world, and the ability to expand storage and memory will be invaluable for scientists and programmers running multiple simulations. The industrial look and design, power, and solid battery life makes it the ideal MATLAB companion. While it is positioned at a higher price point, you've got to have the right tool for the job.
That's where value for money comes into play, and the ThinkPad P53s hits that point, and then some.
