The automotive industry has grown exponentially over the past decade. Along with this, the importance of automotive engineers has come to be recognized and understood. Talented people with various mechanical skills provide information in various situations.
We need some help dealing with the most difficult cases, doing various complex activities, and explaining the condition of almost all vehicles. It’s the tools that help and the tools that virtually simplify the most complex and complex tasks and do so in less time.
Best Laptop For Automotive Diagnostics
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Laptops for automotive diagnostics play a similar role when it comes to tools. It helps technicians in a variety of situations, including tuning and remodeling cars, speeding up the process, and making it a reality to get the job done faster.
These automotive professionals need the resources to meet the demands of power, speed, and reliable space. In other words, they need a fast laptop with plenty of storage space, incredible performance, and a perfect level of convenience and portability.
You are already working hard as an automotive engineer. Why bother looking for the perfect laptop when we have the right skills? Here’s a list of them.
Best Laptop For Automotive Diagnostics | Comparison Table 2021
| Image | Title | Brand | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Swift 3 Thin & Light Laptop, 14" Full HD IPS, AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Octa-Core with Radeon Graphics, 8GB LPDDR4, 512GB NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi 6, Backlit KB, Fingerprint Reader, Alexa Built-in | Acer | Check Price | |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 Gaming Laptop, 240Hz 15.6" FHD 3ms IPS, Intel Core i7-10875H CPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super, 16GB DDR4, 1TB PCIe SSD, Per-Key RGB, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 10, G532LWS-DS76 | ASUS | Check Price | |
| 2020 Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) - Space Gray | Apple | Check Price | |
| Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop, Intel i7-10750H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU, 15.6" Full HD 144Hz 3ms IPS Display, 16GB DDR4, 512GB NVMe SSD, WiFi 6, RGB Keyboard, PH315-53-71HN | Acer | Check Price | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad E495 14" FHD Ryzen 5 3500U Processor 8GB 256GB SSD Win10 Pro | Lenovo | Check Price | |
| ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop, 15.6” FHD Display, Intel i3-1005G1 CPU, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint, Windows 10 Home in S Mode, Slate Gray, F512JA-AS34 | ASUS | Check Price | |
| Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5" (Intel Core i7, 8GB RAM, 256 GB) | Microsoft | Check Price | |
| Dell G5 15 Gaming Laptop (Windows 10 Home, 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H, NVIDIA GTX 1650, 15.6" FHD LCD Screen, 256GB SSD and 1TB SATA, 16 GB RAM) G5590-7679BLK-PUS | Dell | Check Price | |
| Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 2-in-1 Laptop- 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, 13MP Camera, Chrome OS, 12.2", 16:10 Aspect Ratio- XE520QAB-K03US Light Titan | SAMSUNG | Check Price |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Best Laptop For Automotive Diagnostics| 2021 reviews
1. Acer Swift 3 Thin & Light Laptop
- AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Octa-Core Mobile Processor (Up to 4.1 GHz) with Radeon Graphics; 8GB LPDDR4 Memory; 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- 14 Full HD Widescreen IPS LED-backlit display (1920 x 1080 resolution; 16:9 aspect ratio)
- Intel wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX200 802.11ax; HD webcam (1280 x 720); Backlit keyboard; Fingerprint reader
- 1 - USB Type-C port USB 3. 2 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps) DisplayPort over USB Type-C & USB Charging, 1- USB 3. 2 Gen 1 port (featuring power-off charging), 1 - USB 2. 0 port & 1 - HDMI port
- Just 0.63 thin and 2.65 pounds and up to 11.5 hours of battery life
- Perform at your very best with the lightweight Swift 3, the absolute device for accomplishing all you need on the move. With its slim, all-metal chassis,
- The Swift 3s color-variable1 all-metal sleek chassis weighs as little as 1.2 kg1, at its sleekest measures up to 15.9 mm1, and dont forget the understated effective lifting hinge, helping to keep your device cool in every sense of the word.
- A single connector can be used for ultra-quick data transfer, video streaming, and battery charging/power.
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) provides some of the fastest connections currently available with lower latency and improved security.
2. ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 8GB GDDR6 with ROG Boost up to 1645MHz at 115W (130W with Dynamic Boost 2.0)
- Latest AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX Processor (16M Cache, up to 4.6 GHz)
- 300Hz 3ms 15.6” Full HD 1920x1080 IPS-Type Display
- 16GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM | 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD | Windows 10 Home
- ROG Intelligent Cooling thermal system with Thermal Grizzly Liquid Metal Thermal Compound
- Opti-mechanical per-key RGB keyboard
- Wi-Fi 6 with RangeBoost & Bluetooth 5.1 | ROG Keystone II | ROG Easy Upgrade Design
- ROG Intelligent Cooling thermal system with Thermal Grizzly Liquid Metal Thermal, Opti-mechanical per-key RGB keyboard
- Exceptional speed, power, and performance elevate the ROG Strix SCAR 15 to the top tier of Windows 10 gaming. The latest 5th Gen AMD Ryzen processors and powerful GeForce graphics saturate the cutting-edge 300Hz/3ms gaming panel that takes you to the next frontier of pro esports speed.
- Accelerate work and play on a machine tailored to deliver triple-digit frame rates.
- ROGs Intelligent Cooling philosophy mixes the right features and system settings to ensure the best experience.
3. Apple MacBook Pro
- Apple-designed M1 chip for a giant leap in CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance
- Get more done with up to 20 hours of battery life, the longest ever in a Mac
- 8-core CPU delivers up to 2.8x faster performance to fly through workflows quicker than ever
- 8-core GPU with up to 5x faster graphics for graphics-intensive apps and games
- 16-core Neural Engine for advanced machine learning
- 8GB of unified memory so everything you do is fast and fluid
- Superfast SSD storage launches apps and opens files in an instant
- Active cooling system sustains incredible performance
- 13.3-inch Retina display with 500 nits of brightness for vibrant colors and incredible image detail
- FaceTime HD camera with advanced image signal processor for clearer, sharper video calls
4. Acer Predator Helios 300
- 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 5.0GHz)
- Overclockable NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM, NVIDIA DLSS, NVIDIA Dynamic Boost 2.0, NVIDIA GPU Boost
- 15.6 Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED-backlit IPS Display (144Hz Refresh Rate, 3ms Overdrive Response Time & 300nit Brightness)
- 16GB DDR4 2933MHz Dual-Channel Memory | 512GB NVMe SSD (2 x M.2 Slots | 1 Slot Open for Easy Upgrades) | 1 - Available Hard Drive Bay
- Killer Double Shot Pro: Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX 1650i and Killer Ethernet E2600 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN
- 4-Zone RGB Backlit Keyboard | DTS X: Ultra Audio | 4th Gen All-Metal AeroBlade 3D Fan
- Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
5. Lenovo ThinkPad E495 14″
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3500U Processor (2.10 GHz, up to 3.70 GHz Max Boost, 4 Cores, 8 Threads, 4 MB Cache).
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 64.
- Memory: 8 GB DDR4 2400MHz, Hard Drive: 256 GB PCIe SSD.
- Display Type: 14.0” HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare, 220 nits.
- Smart choice for business professionals on the move View Similar Products
- Options of dual-drive storage, FHD display, and integrated AMD Radeon™ graphics
- Multiple ports for multitasking
- With its high performance and seamless connectivity, the ThinkPad E495 lets you multitask with ease. Inside, this laptop boasts a dTPM chip to encrypt sensitive data and keep your information secure.
- Whether it’s a USB-C, USB 3.1**, or HDMI, the ThinkPad E495 has a range of up-to-date ports to connect with your other devices. It also features advanced wireless technology
- Fuzzy webcams and poor sound quality don’t make for great conference calls.
6. ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop
- 15.6 inch Full HD (1920x1080) 4-way NanoEdge bezel display with a stunning 88% screen-to-body ratio
- Compatible with Google Classroom; run Google Classroom on Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer 11
- Latest 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 CPU (4M Cache, up to 3.4 GHz)
- 8 GB DDR4 RAM and 128 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- Ergonomic backlit keyboard with fingerprint sensor activated via Windows Hello
- Exclusive Ergolift design for an improved typing position
- Comprehensive connections including USB 3.2 Type-C, USB 3.2 Type-A, USB 2.0, and HDMI; Gigabit Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) (USB Transfer speed may vary. Learn more at ASUS website)
- Windows 10 in S mode exclusively runs apps from the Microsoft Store. To install an app that isnt available in the Microsoft Store, simply switch out of S mode in three easy steps. Theres no charge to switch out of S mode
7. Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5″
- Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8650U (quad-core) with up to 4.20 GHz Max Turbo
- Memory: 8GB RAM 1866Mhz LPDDR3
- Storage: 256GB Solid State Drive. Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 discrete GPU w/2GB GDDR5 graphics memory
- Display: 13.5-inch PixelSense Display, 10-Point Multi-Touch G5 (3000x2000) 267 PPI
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit
- Meet the laptop that can handle your biggest demands. The most powerful Surface laptop yet combines speed, graphics, and immersive gaming with the versatil...
- Includes your choice of Surface Book 3, Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Complete Protection Plan.
- Create, work, and play on the most powerful Surface laptop. Tackle intensive tasks, edit large video files, and enjoy the best graphics and gaming experience on any Surface laptop.
8. Dell G5 15
- Lead the pack with an elegant sleek design that keeps heads turning
- An innovative dual-fan cooling system with an advanced thermal design ensures that your system stays cool as the action heats up
- 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) anti-Glare LED backlight non-touch narrow border IPS display
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 with 4GB GDDR5 Graphics
- 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750h (12MB Cache, up to 4. 5 GHz, 6 Cores)
- 16GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM
- Stay in the fight with an improved and stable WiFi connection.
- No shortage of storage: Experience faster load times and a quieter system thanks to multiple storages including dual drives with 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive + 1TB 5400 rpm SATA Hard Drive. Battle ready
9. Samsung Chromebook plus v2
- TWEIGHT 2-in-1 DESIGN At just under 3 pounds, the Chromebook Plus is incredibly lightweight. You can easily fold it into tablet mode for comfortable viewing and browsing
- BUILT-IN PEN Experience the power of the incredibly precise built-in pen that never needs charging. Its always ready to write, sketch, edit, magnify and even take screenshots
- DUAL CAMERA Fold your laptop into tablet mode to capture clear shots and even zoom in for a closer look with the revolutionary 13MP world-facing camera with autofocus
- CHROME OS AND GOOGLE PLAY STORE Create, explore and browse on a bigger screen with the tools you use every day —all on the secure Chrome OS
- POWER AND PERFORMANCE Tackle anything with a long-lasting battery and Intel Celeron processor. Store more with 64GB of built-in memory and add up to 400GB with a microSD card.Bluetooth v4.0
- More space for what matters. Get Google One with 200GB of cloud storage for 12 months when you purchase a new Samsung Chromebook. Enjoy plenty of space for all your files, photos, and more. Redeem offer until 1/31/22
What are the things to keep in mind when getting a Best Laptop For Automotive Diagnostics laptop?
As a Car mechanical engineer, you will be using software like AutoEnginuity’s ScanTool · ProScan · Automotive diagnostic software for Mac, etc.
Sometimes you will multitask with all this software and for that, you should look for powerful specifications that give you excellent performance without problems.
You may be thinking about what kinds of things you need to consider when acquiring a laptop as a car mechanical engineer. Don’t worry, we’ll clear it up with the important things/specs listed below.
# 1 Storage space
The first is storage space. The storage of the device depends on your need, but here we suggest that you choose a solid-state drive than the normal hard disk drive. This is because the SSD is faster and more expensive than the hard drive, which also improves the overall performance of the laptop.
Also, many laptops today come with dual storage segments like a small SSD size with a larger HDD storage.
# 2 powerful RAM
The second thing to consider is RAM because it is one of the important parts of a laptop. More RAM is needed as it helps you handle all your heavy multitasking work with ease.
If you are a newbie or on a budget, then 8GB of RAM is fine for you. But we recommend that you go with at least 12GB or 16GB of RAM if you get more than that, it’s a good option for you.
# 3 A fast CPU
The CPU is one of the most essential parts of any laptop. For example, if the laptop CPU is faster, you will get good performance. But if the CPU is slower, it will take a long time to load your applications or process your files.
So, I will advise you to get at least one Core i5. You will need it if you want to run any of those programs, such as MATLAB, SolidWorks, ANSYS, etc.
# 4. Dedicated graphics card
Another thing to consider is having a dedicated graphics card. You will need software that requires high graphics, such as doing 3D rendering or 3D printing that is done in ANSYS or SolidWorks, then you need a laptop with a dedicated graphics card.
But, if you are doing normal graphics, then integrated graphics are enough for you.
# 5. Window operating system
The Windows operating system is another thing to consider on a laptop. Most software and automotive diagnostic programs are only compatible with a Windows operating system.
So if you are using a laptop like Mac that has a different operating system, you will have to install the Windows software in the middle of your disk. As it is the only way to run Windows programs on Mac OS.
# 6. Lightweight
You will have to consider this, your laptop should be lightweight. Because if you carry a backpack and your laptop is inside, every day you take it to classes, then to the library and also to lunch. You will have a terrible posture that will hurt your back.
Therefore, I will advise you to carry a lightweight laptop and not a super heavy laptop.
# 7. Good backup battery
Also, having a good battery backup is very important. For students, laptops with good battery capacity are always the right choice.
A computer for mechanical engineering students should have at least 6-7 hours in reserve, therefore it can last up to full lectures and labs or you can find a power source until then.
Note that laptops with more than 7 hours of battery backup and excellent performance are expensive.
How to use a laptop as an automotive scan tool
Modern cars come equipped with an onboard diagnostic system. OBD-II is an advanced management system that professionals and home mechanics can connect to via the diagnostic port. You can also use a computer or laptop instead of a handheld scanner, however, you will need a kit.
Most laptop diagnostic programs are more advanced than handheld scanners and offer the ability to monitor engine performance and read fault codes.
Step 1
Purchase a laptop OBD-II interface kit. You can buy these kits at many auto parts stores; in addition, they are available online.
Step 2
Insert the software installation disc. Follow the instructions to complete the installation. If the installation does not start automatically, go to “My Computer” and double-click the disk to begin.
Step 3
Connect the components to your laptop. Most kits contain a USB-to-serial adapter for laptops without serial ports. Once the device is connected to the laptop, connect the OBD-II diagnostic port cable.
Step 4
Launch the software program. Double-click the icon on the desktop if the program did not start automatically. Get comfortable with the control interface.
Step 5
Bring your laptop to your vehicle. Turn the ignition key to the “On” position, but do not start the engine. Connect the OBD-II scan cable from the laptop to your vehicle’s diagnostic port, usually located on the driver’s side foot, below the steering well.
Click the “Scan” button on the control interface, if necessary. View engine codes and diagnostic information provided by the program.
Tip:
- Not all programs have the same number of functions. The basic program will read the “Check-Engine” codes. Enhanced programs may offer additional features, such as monitoring engine operation, power, and fuel economy.
Conclusion:
When asked which Laptop is Best For Automotive Diagnostics, to be honest, you can’t choose. Each has something different. There’s a reason these products are on the list of the best laptops for automotive technicians. Which one do you choose?
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