Best Laptops For Network Engineers In 2021

We will be enlisting the 10 best laptops for network engineers for 2021 that can give you the ultimate experience. Our team of experts has done extensive research and have come up with a list of these laptops with endless features.

There are many laptops available in the market, all of these do not serve the same purpose. Laptops are specifically designed for a particular task and one should use that based on their field of work.

Casual laptops cannot perform the task of network engineering well, as it is not made for this task. The requirements are completely different. Network engineering involves complex applications and lots of computations, so a decent laptop should be at your disposal.

There are some system criteria that make the task possible. Well if you are a network engineer or a student wanting to upgrade your laptop for this meticulous task, then you are at the right site. Here we have listed some of the best laptops for network engineers 2021 based on thorough research.

What To Look For In The Best Laptops For Network Engineers?

If you are indulged in network engineering, the first thing to focus on is the portability of the laptop. Your laptop should always be on the go and ready to use in any environment. Next is the screen size, the screen should be user friendly with thin chassis design. A traditional 15 inch or even a 13-inch laptop will be better as you can carry it then and now. A screen resolution of more than 1366×768 is doable to consider the type of job you have. Although if you want a multi-tasking laptop like for occasional gaming, streaming, or running high-end software, then you need a resolution of at least 1920×1080.

The third specs you should focus on is the CPU and memory. A fast CPU will help you sail through network engineering seamlessly. In combination, an SSD will make your laptop boot and run software even faster. It is better than traditional HDD or else you can choose a combination of both in case you wish to store large files alongside fast boot.

Next are the RAM and Graphics. We would recommend at least 8GB of RAM for running more software simultaneously. The software like AutoCAD or 3D modeling will require it the most. A dedicated graphics card with 2GB Ram is enough for network engineering.

Let’s Explore Our List Of Top 10 Best Laptops For Network Engineers :

With so much choice out there, it can be hard to make the right buying decision. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to the best laptops for network engineers you can find today.

1. Acer Predator Helios 300

The first on the list is the Acer Predator Helios 300, known for its unmatched performance in the field of network engineering. It has a black shiny exterior and sleek design. The backlit keyboard provides a matte feel with swift response and the touchpad is sensitive to read any slight gesture.

The laptop has a 15.6-inch FHD widescreen LCD IPS display with a max resolution of 1920×1080. The 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms Overdrive response time make it equally suitable for multitasking. The laptop is equipped with 2.6GHz 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H 6 Core processor, upgradable to 4.5GHz using Turbo Boost technology. Coming to graphics, the laptop has NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti graphics card with 6GB dedicated DDR6 VRAM.

On the storage front, it has 16GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD storage. The storage can be extended according to the user’s needs. The two lithium batteries provide a decent battery life of 7 hours with no heating issues because of 4th Gen Metal Aeroblade fans. The overall weight of the gadget is about 5.07lbs.

Its additional features include hyper-realistic 3D audio with two built-in stereo speakers. The Acer True Harmony Technology provides a more enhanced and rich sound. An HD webcam for video meetings and its connectivity includes ports like 1 USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2, 3 USB 3.1 Gen 1, HDMI, display port, etc. The laptop runs on Windows 10 Home 64 bit.

2. Apple MacBook Pro – Best Laptops For Network Engineers

As you already know Apple laptops always step ahead in most fields, this laptop is no exception. Design-wise the laptop has an elegant grey surface with a butterfly mechanism Backlit keyboard. The wide trackpad provides more room to work.

The laptop has a 15.4-inch Retina display with True Tone Technology. The technology uses sensors to adjust screen colors. The max resolution more than regular laptops i.e. 2880×1800. The laptop is powered by a 2.6GHz 8th Gen Intel 6-Core i7 processor with 12MB shared L3 cache. The processor can be boosted to even 4.8GHz. To solve the low graphics problem, the laptop is equipped with AMD Radeon Pro 555X Discrete GPU with 4GB GDDR5 memory and automatic graphics switching. The processor and graphics combo makes your laptop work 50% faster than usual

On the storage front, the laptop has 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD storage. Space is enough for storing large files and also with fast booting. The MacBook also has a decent battery life of about 10 hours.  Though the charge drains faster while playing games or watching videos, expect around 8 hours on mixed usage. The laptop weighs only 4lbs.

Additionally, the laptop has a Touch Bar and Touch ID for fast access. Its connectivity includes 4x Thunderbolt 3 ports, headphone/mic combo. However, there’s still no doubt that the Apple MacBook Pro deserves its lofty spot on the best laptops for network engineers 2021 list.

3. Razer Blade 15

Razer is one of the most common names in the manufacturing of high-tech laptops. Intense works like Network Engineering or software engineering requires laptops which provide excellent performance. Accordingly, this Razer gadget provides efficient service. The laptop displays a perfect balance of power and portability along with the durable aluminum compact body.

The laptop has a 15.6-inch FHD IPS edge-to-edge matte display with a max resolution of 1920×1080 and a 60Hz refresh rate. It also gives 100% sRGB color gamut. Coming to CPU, the laptop has an 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8750H 6-core processor for heavy tasks. Its GPU include NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q Design VR ready Graphics. You can equally use this laptop for gaming purposes.

On the storage front, the laptop has 16GB DDR4RAM and 256GB SSD plus 2TB HDD storage. No wonder the storage is expandable to 32GB Ram and 2TB SSD/ 4TB HDD. The battery life is expected to be approx. 5-6 hours on normal usage. This can be the only downside in this device. The overall weight of the laptop is about 4lbs.

Additionally, the laptop has per-key backlighting with shallow key travel distance. The spacious glass trackpad is smooth enough to use for long hours. Though multi-finger gesture sensitive but has poor palm rejection. The sound system is great which provides clear and loud sound. Its connectivity includes USB 3.1, 1x thunderbolt 3, HDMI, mini display port, etc. The laptop runs on Windows 10 Home.

4. MSI GS65 STEALTH-002

The MSI GS65 is another addition in the list of best laptop for network engineers. It is slim and stylish with black chassis and aluminum body. The flexible hinge helps the screen to lay flat and the display flip technology allows a comfortable view from the other side.

The laptop has a 15.6-inch 4-sided Razor Thin Bezel FHD display with Anti-Glare and wide-View angle. The max resolution is 1920×1080 with a 144Hz refresh rate and 7ms response time. Next coming to CPU, it has a powerful 2.2GHz Intel 6-Core i7-8750H processor, upgradable to 4.1GHz. It too has ultimate graphics consisting of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 with 8GB Max-Q GDDR6 memory. The New Ray-Tracing technology of GPU provides excellent performance and exceptional details.

On the storage front, the laptop has 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD storage. On heavy-duty, the laptop offers 5 hours of battery life, quite seemly while considering its performance. Weighing about 4lbs with no heating issues with the help of 3 cooling fans and 6 copper heat pipes makes this laptop a viable option to buy.

Additionally, it includes a silky glass touchpad with 10+ gestures, steel series engine 3, keyboard with customizable per-key RGB Backlit, MSI app player, lots of connectivity options including Thunderbolt 3 and more. The laptop runs on Windows 10 Home. There’s no doubt that this mobile workstation earned its spot on our best laptop for network engineers 2021 list. 

5. Acer Aspire R15

The proficient and most budget-friendly convertible laptop in our list is the Acer Aspire R15. This high-end hybrid 2 in 1 system of this laptop has satisfied and inspired many Acer fans. This is the best laptop for network engineer on a very limited budget.

The laptop has a 15.6-inch FHD Multi-touch Widescreen LED-Backlit IPS display with a resolution of 1920×1080. The multi-touch ability allows you to work efficiently on-the-go with super-convenient 4 modes of usage. Its CPU includes 7th Gen Intel Core i7-7500U processor, which is further upgradable to 3.5GHz. It also has superb graphics consisting of NVIDIA GeForce 940MX graphics card with 2GB Dedicated GDDR5 VRAM.

Coming to storage, it has 12GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD storage, along with SDXC card reader support. Moreover, the laptop has a battery life of up to 9 hours on a single charge. The total weight of the gadget is about 4.74lbs.

Additionally, it has embedded fingerprint reader with Windows Hello, four modes of operation such as Notebook, Display, Tent and Tablet, HD Webcam, two built-in stereo speakers with subwoofer, and lots of connectivity options like USB 3.1 Gen 1, 2x USB 3.0, HDMI and more. The laptop runs on Windows 10 Home.

6. Dell XPS 9380 – Best Dell Laptop For Network Engineer

Dell depicts a symbol of perfection and has a range of fans. It is a tough competitor to most of the above-listed laptops. It has a well-defined body with brilliant software elements. Design-wise it has slim chassis with sharp edges and durable for smooth usage, all of that at a good value for money.

The laptop has a 13.3 FHD Non-Touch Infinity Edge display with a resolution of 1920×1080. The CPU carries Quad-core 1.8GHz 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U fast processor with 8MB cache, upgradable to 4.6GHz making it suitable for network engineering tasks. With Intel UHD Graphics 620, you can run all necessary software and watch HD videos.

On the storage front, it has 8GB LPDDR3 RAM and 256GB SSD storage. No optical drive is available but the memory is upgradeable. On mixed usage, the laptop has about 8 hours of battery life. The total weight of the laptop is about 2.66lbs, the most lightweight in our list.

Additionally, the laptop has HD webcam with 4 digital microphones, Far Field Cortana capability, and lots of connectivity options. The laptop runs on Windows 10 Home. And It’s a great combination of affordability and power, and that’s exactly why it’s one of the best dell laptop for network engineer.

7. Microsoft Surface Book

Microsoft has also evolved its technology to an extent that it’s now a renowned brand in the tech industry. It produces some high-tech laptops suitable for tasks such as Network Engineering. This 2-in-1 laptop has some great features and will not breach the limits of your budget. It is meticulously crafted and durably built with silver chassis slim body. If you’re a network engineer on the market then this best laptop for network engineer will help you do all your work.

The laptop has a 13.5-inch Pixel Sense, low-glare LCD Display with a resolution of 3000×2000 and 3:2 aspect ratio. The screen is detachable from the dock, forming a multi-touch Notebook with 10-point touch support. A laptop/tablet hybrid with power and versatility with lots of features at a minimal budget is what a buyer dreams of. It is powered by 2.6GHz Intel 6th Gen Dual-Core i7-6600U processor with L3 cache, which is further upgradable to 3.2GHz using Turbo Boost technology. Its GPU includes NVIDIA GeForce graphics chip which increases the graphics performance.

On the storage front, the laptop has 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. Moreover, the laptop has a quite appreciable battery life of approx. 12 hours and has an overall weight of about 3.34lbs. 

Additionally, it has 360 degrees rotatable hinge, 8MP rear webcam, a surface pen for natural writing experience, and lots of connectivity options. Finally, the laptop runs on Windows 10 Pro.

8. Lenovo ThinkPad P51 – Best Laptops For Network Security

Lenovo also manufactures business laptops that work efficiently and meets the user’s demand. Network Engineers can rely on Lenovo Laptops as it has features that can perform the majority of their tasks. The unmatched configuration somehow makes it slightly expensive among others. It is a Mobile Workstation especially designed to get work done on-the-go.

The laptop offers a 15.6-inch FHD IPS Anti-glare display with a resolution of 1920×1080. It also has LED backlighting and with a 16:9 aspect ratio, it gets 160 degrees viewing angle.  The laptop is powered by 2.8GHz Intel Core i7-7700HQ Quad-Core processor, with 6MB cache, suitable for multi-tasking and the system can be further overclocked to 3.8GHz using Turbo Boost 2.0 technology. Its GPU includes a dedicated NVIDIA Quadro M1200 graphics card with 4GB of discrete GDDR5 VRAM.

Coming to storage, the laptop has 16GB DDR4 SDRAM and 512GB SSD storage. Furthermore, the laptop has a decent battery life of about 8 hours and the total weight of the laptop is approx. 5.89lbs. There are not many heating issues either with the help of cooling fans and heatsink.

Additionally, the laptop has 1.2MP webcam, stereo speakers for natural sound, and lots of connectivity ports like the Thunderbolt 3, Mini display port, and more. Finally, the laptop runs on Windows 10 Pro. These features make it a capable machine and one of the best laptops for network security as well.

Also Read: Best Laptop for Autocad and Revit

9. ASUS ZenBook 13

ASUS also develops some splendid laptops for professionals. It promises good value for money in exchange for its high-tech devices. This gadget is a super-slim ultra-notebook Iconic Zen-inspired spun-metal finish design and filled with lots of features. The laptop has undergone a testing regime and qualified 810G military standard for reliability and durability. It has got exclusive ErgoLift design which automatically tilts the keyboard to the most desirable position for typing.

Its specs include a 13.3-inch FHD Nano-Edge ultra-slim bezel display with a 95% body to screen ratio. With a resolution of 1920×1080, the visuals on the screen appear more immersive. It is equipped with a powerful processor that provides uncompromising performance making work done on-the-go. It features an 8th Gen Intel Quad Core i7-8565U processor. Coming to GPU it includes Intel UHD Graphics 620 with 16GB RAM.

On the storage front, it has 16GB DDR3 RAM and 512GB SSD. The memory is enough and there are no apparent lag issues either. It has an astounding battery life of about 11 hours. The ErgoLift design also keeps heating issues in check and improves audio performance. The overall weight of the laptop is approx. 2.6lbs.

Additionally, the laptop has a dual-function touchpad and number pad, extensive connectivity options including USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and micro-SD card reader. Moreover, there is TPM security with the Windows 10 Professional on which it runs and it also includes 1-year free ASUS Accidental damage protection.

However, there’s no doubt that this mobile workstation earned its spot on our best laptops for network engineers 2021 list. 

10. Gigabyte Aero 15 – Best Laptop For Network Engineers

Gigabyte, though not a popular brand but a luxurious laptop with adequate features to be on our list. For technology enthusiasts, this gadget is a cool deal and to some extent, this laptop is overpriced too. Design-wise it is a slim Ultrabook with classy super matter exterior. The supreme power in a single system with high portability makes it a viable option to buy.

The laptop has a 15.6-inch Ultra-thin Bezel AUQ UHD Adobe RGB 100% IPS Anti-Glare LCD display. It has a resolution of 3840×2160 and certified by X-Rite Pantone color calibration. It is equipped with a powerful 8th Gen processor of 2.9GHz Intel Core i9-8950HK, further upgradeable to 4.8 GHz. Its GPU included NVIDIA GeForce GTX 2070 with 8GB GDDR6 dedicated memory. It’s a great advantage for Network professionals.

On the storage front, it has 32GB DDR4 RAM and 1TB SSD storage. The memory is better than most of the laptops thus it contributes to its price. The battery life is quite decent, you can expect around 8 hours of consistent service on a single charge. The overall weight of the laptop is about 4.4lbs.

Additionally, it has Microsoft Azure AI, Intel Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, mini display port, SD card reader, and lots of connectivity ports. There is also a per-key RGB backlit option available along with a customizable keyboard and Nahimic 3D Audio system. The laptop also provides a 1-year Global warranty and runs on Windows 10 Pro. Better yet, it also gets our vote as among the best laptop for network engineers, especially from a value perspective.

Conclusion:

Network Engineering is a complicated field that requires a proficient laptop. Our list of top 10 best laptops for network engineers 2021 is perfect products trending in the market. We hope you got your laptop as per your interest in the list. But you should once read the reviews and follow product ratings before investing in any of the above gadgets.

Also Read: Best Laptop for Information Technology (IT) Professionals