Over the years, data science has emerged as one of the most sought-after fields of computer science. However, analyzing data is not an easy task and can be very tedious. Therefore, if you dream of having a career in this rewarding field, it would be crucial for you to start out by investing in the right tools. One of the gadgets that shouldn’t miss out on your bucket-list is a good laptop with a strong processor and ample memory.
As you can tell, not just any other PC will ace the complex dynamics of data science. In this post, we’ve gone to great lengths to give you a closer look at some of the best laptops for data science. In particular, we’ve covered some key features and specs to look out for. Hopefully, these reviews will help make it easier for you to make an informed choice. Read on.
Contents
| Laptop Model | Weight | Storage | Screen Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Pro | 4.02 lbs | 512 GB | 15.4 inches | |
| Lenovo Ideapad Y520 | 5.29 lbs | 1 TB | 15.3 inches | |
| HP Premium Business | 5.29 lbs | 1 TB | 15.6 inches | |
| Microsoft Surface Pro | 1.7 lbs | 256 GB | 12.3 inches | |
| ASUS VivoBook Pro | 3.7 lbs | 1 TB | 15.6 inches | |
| HP ZBook | 3.62 lbs | 1 TB | 14 inches | |
| ASUS ROG STRIX | 5.6 lbs | 1 TB | 15.6 inches |
1. Apple MacBook Pro 15-Inch Laptop
The next one on the list is a high-performance device by the technology leader Apple. It features a retina display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels. As such, you can expect everything to be visible down to the finest detail in both images and text. In addition to this, the machine is equipped with a bright LED backlighting and high-contrast ratio that results in brighter whites and deeper blacks. Further, it boasts a built-in Lithium Polymer battery that keeps the device running for up to 9 hours after a full recharge.
Additionally, this professional looking machine comes with a 16GB DDR3L memory capacity which is more than enough to store huge data seamlessly. On top of that, it utilizes a 512GB PCIe-based flash drive that allows for superior reliability, fast performance, and lower power consumption. At the center of the Apple MacBook Pro are the two USB 3.0 ports that connect effortlessly to any device and enable you to transfer data quickly.
Another outstanding feature of this machine is its 2.5 GHz Core i7 unit that delivers exceptional power and performance. This makes the job of data scientists a lot easier. With a total weight of roughly 4.49 pounds, the device is portable to be taken anywhere you might be going. What’s more? The laptop features Intel Iris Pro Graphics for crisp and high-performance visuals.
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Long-lasting battery life
- Fast processor
- Bright display with enhanced graphics
- The slim and lightweight design makes it easy to carry the device anywhere
Cons
- Lacks DVD/CD drive
- RAM is not upgradable
2. Lenovo Ideapad Y520 Laptop
If you’re a fan of big-screen laptops, you should consider investing in this Lenovo Ideapad Y520 model. The setups of the device are immaculate to complete data science. Featuring a 17.3-inch full HD display with IPS antiglare coating, the device offers decent viewing angles for data scientists. On top of that, it boasts a built-in camera with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels to provide you with a clear view of visual analysis outputs.
As far as processing performance is concerned, this is an area that this machine does not disappoint. It boasts a super-efficient 6th -Gen Core i7 from Intel processor having 2.60GHz. Therefore, you can expect power enhanced performance while dealing so much data. Additionally, the device comes with an NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti 4GB Graphics card that enables users to view data analytics results with great clarity. The laptop boasts a 512GB drive thereby allowing you to store any kind of data you might have safely. Further, it is equipped with a processing memory of 16GB that is sufficient for all kinds of high-end processing expected in the data science activities.
Additionally, the laptop comes loaded with Windows 10 Home 64-bit operating system which makes it easy to use different applications and software at the same time.
Pros
- Widescreen provides a better view while researching and analyzing data
- Excellent balance of performance and price
- Top-notch speakers
- Bright and colorful display
Cons
- Heavyweight
- Battery life only lasts up to 5 hours
- Its lid is prone to fingerprints and smudges
3. HP Premium Business Flagship Envy 17.3-Inch Laptop
For HP loyalists looking for a high-performance laptop, the HP Envy 17.3-inches is a robust machine both in structure and functionality. It has all the features necessary for complex and high demanding business applications especially data analysis. To begin with, it boasts a 17.3-inch full-HD + widescreen backlit LED display that offers vibrant color, bright and crisp detail. It also comes with an ergonomically-built backlit keyboard, a handy feature for those who work at night.
Moving on, the machine comes preinstalled with Windows 10 home 64-bit OS that provides blazing speeds and a 4-cell Lithium-ion battery for use right out of the box. The battery allows you to work for up to 7 hours 15 minutes without worrying about possible interruptions. As if that’s not enough, it spots dual-digital microphones as well as Bang and Olufsen speakers that deliver excellent audio performance.
You know what else? The PC is equipped with an i7 Intel processor running at 2.7GHz that imparts a faster performance making multi-tasking a breeze. As such, you can open as many tabs as possible and still stream HD videos with no slowdown. Another feature worth noting is the great storage capabilities the PC offer including a 16GB DDR3 of memory and a 1 TB 7200RPM hard drive. Last but not least, it packs a dedicated NVIDIA Graphics card (4GB) that delivers a crisp view of data analytics results presented in visual form.
Pros
- Includes an HP TrueVision webcam with a full-HD resolution
- Easy to transfer a huge amount of data to other storage devices
- The display boasts an ultra-wide viewing angle
- Extremely fast with great graphics
Cons
- OS is a little bit slow to boot up
- Not travel-friendly as it is not small or even lightweight
4. Microsoft Surface Pro
If portability and versatility is your top priority as a data scientist, then it would be hard to find a better machine than this Microsoft Surface Pro. With a weight capacity of around 1.69 lbs, this is the lightest PC on this entire list making it easy to carry on the go. You can use the device as a laptop by simply opening its integrated Kickstand or as a tablet by closing the Kickstand as well as removing the cover back.
Additionally, you can switch it into studio mode for the best drawing and writing angle. Featuring a 7th generation powerful i7 processor, the machine delivers superior speed and performance while reducing power consumption. Consequently, you can enjoy a smooth and productive workflow. Further, it packs 512 GB of storage and 16 GB of RAM that provides the needed storage for any application a data scientist needs. Best of all, the device works perfectly with Surface Pen designed to help you write and even draw with great precision.
What’s more? It is equipped with a 12.3-inches PixelSense display that looks stunning from different angles and supports both pen and touch functionality. Another feature worth noting is its well-built battery that is capable of running for up to 13.5 hours or even more depending on usage and settings.
Pros
- Boasts a powerful laptop-grade processor
- Offers a lot of customization options
- Excellent battery life
- Completely silent because of its fan-less design
Cons
- Pen not included with the purchase
5. ASUS VivoBook Pro
ASUS is a reputable brand name imparting laptops of varying ranges and in different fields. For data scientists looking for a power-packed machine, this VivoBook Pro claims to offer superior performance. It runs on a superb 8th generation i7 Intel processor (8550u) with a base frequency of 1.8GHz and up to 4.0GHz turbo. As such, you can expect to enjoy a seamless 4K uninterrupted ultra-HD playback or even encoding.
With a 16GB RAM (DDR4), the laptop delivers great processing power thereby allowing for effortless multitasking. Additionally, it offers a storage combo of 256GB SSD alongside 1TB HDD to allow for a fast boot and app launching as well as pretty good storage capacity. Also included with the laptop is a USB 3.0 Type-A, USB Type-C, USB 2.0 and HDMI ports that makes connecting and transferring data to other devices effortless.
Additionally, it features 17.3-Inch full-HD display that allows for wide viewing angles alongside 72% NTSC color gamut for more accurate, deeper and richer colors. Another outstanding feature of the machine is its ergonomically-keyboard with backlit functionality for perfect low-light settings. Featuring an a super-efficient NVIDIA GTX 1050 graphics card, the device has enough power to handle the most intensive graphics tasks with so much ease.
Pros
- The slim design makes it highly portable
- Ultra-fast connectivity
- Flawless and vivid visuals
- Durable and stylish
- Keyboard offers comfortable typing experience
Cons
- Has a poor battery life
6. HP ZBook F1M37U Laptop, 15.6-Inch
Powered by the fourth generation of the i7 processor from Intel, this device allows you to enjoy a smooth working experience in the office or in the field. Its 15.6-Inch screen display, gifts you with a large viewing space that has just enough space for your eyes to explore. Additionally, with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, you can count on it to deliver HD quality pictures and videos – any time.
Further, the HP ZBook offers a generous memory of 16 GB and 256 GB SSD. That’s just to help you store all the heavy files you might accumulate during your demanding job. Thanks to its 2.8 GHz processor speed, the laptop boasts a blazing fast connectivity and allows you to run various programs effortlessly. In addition, it uses NVIDIA Quadro K2100M graphics card that provides you with an outstanding view of data analytics output in any visual form.
What’s more? With Windows 8 as its operating system, you stand to benefit from enhanced user experience (UX) and faster operation. Overall, the laptop has more than enough power to handle all kind of demanding computing tasks. However, weighing 8 pounds, the HP ZBook is definitely not the lightest laptop in town although we still think it’s incredibly portable provided you have a good laptop bag.
Pros
- Quality display and graphics
- Sturdy construction for long-lasting performance
- Allows you to enjoy your favorite games
- Huge memory provides a seamless working experience
Cons
- Heavy
7. ASUS ROG STRIX 15.6-Inch Laptop
This is yet another gem from ASUS that packs a smaller screen along with brilliant features. The machine is outfitted with an optimal 16 GB worth of RAM allowing you to enjoy enhanced capacity, speed, and lower power consumption. Consequently, you can literally open any programs within few seconds. In addition to this, it utilizes a 1TB HDD hard drive thereby ensuring you have enough storage capacity for all your files.
For both data scientists and gamers, the device comes with an NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 Graphics card designed to eliminate any visual imperfections. The graphics card also ensures smooth gaming experience and eliminates input lag as well as screen tearing. Further, it features 6th Generation Intel Skylake Core i7 6700HQ processor at 2.6GHZ that gives you powerful and efficient performance for productive multitasking. On top of that, the PC comes with a Chiclet-style keyboard with red backlighting and WASD keys for ease of use in dim conditions.
With a thin profile and weighing 4.9 pounds only, the machine boasts an ultra-portable design and fits snugly in a backpack allowing you to carry it with you anywhere. Additionally, it is equipped with an easy-to-view display (15.6-inch) that provides a wide view of up to 160-degrees. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about color shift especially when viewing it from extreme angles. As if that’s not enough, the laptop is fitted with a reversible USB Type-C port for fast data transfer speeds through USB 3.1 Gen 1. Thanks to the easier connectivity, it takes less than two seconds to transfer a 2GB movie file.
Pros
- Backed by a one-year warranty against accidental damages like drops, spills, and liquids
- Excellent build quality
- Includes an array of microphones to filter out any ambient noise
- Boasts improved speed and storage capacity
Cons
- Gets fairly hot
- Battery life is not the best
Conclusion
Overall, all these laptops in this review have what it takes to deliver unmatched performance for data scientists. They are also built in such a way that you can use them to operate various applications, browse quicker and most importantly enjoy gaming.
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One thing I’d prefer to say is before buying more computer memory, check out the machine directly into which it could well be installed. When the machine can be running Windows XP, for instance, the actual memory limit is 3.25GB. Applying a lot more than this would just constitute a waste. Make sure one’s mother board can handle the particular upgrade amount, as well. Thanks for your blog post.