In the last few decades, we have seen both the automotive industry and computer industry advanced so much technologically. As a result, automobiles are no longer the simple machines they used to be, with many different automatic parts and systems installed inside, e.g., mechanical and chemical engineering, pneumatics, hydraulics, aerodynamics, or the cooling system.Laptops are essential tools used in any automobile workshop these days. If you are an automotive technician, you too need one to run all the diagnostics, a laptop that can handle the workload and give you quick and more accurate test results in a matter of time. In this article, we will talk about the 7 best laptop for automotive technicians with all the right qualities to deliver long-lasting performance.
7 Best Laptop for Automotive Technicians
After countless hours of research, we narrowed it down to the 7 best laptop for automotive technicians, reviewed them, and shown why they can be a good choice for you. Let have a look!
Our Top Picks For You
Best Laptop for Automotive Technicians |
RAZER Blade Stealth 13 |
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Best Premium Grade Laptop for Automotive Works |
LG Gram 17 (2021) |
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Best Touch screen Laptop for Automotive Technicians |
Dell XPS 13 |
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Best Convertible 2 in 1 Laptop for Automotive Work |
HP Envy x360 |
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Best Bang for Buck Laptop for Automotive Technicians |
ASUS VivoBook 14 S413 |
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Best Laptop for Beginner Technicians |
Dell Inspiron 15 5502 |
1. RAZER Blade Stealth 13– Best Laptop for Automotive Technicians
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- Graphics: GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q
- Display: 13 inch IPS60Hz display
- Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
- RAM: 16 GB Dual-Channel DDR4 Ram
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Weight: 3.13 lbs.
- Dimensions: 12 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
- Operating system: Windows 10 Home
Though introduced as a brand only for gaming laptops and accessories, Razer came a long way, leaving that identity behind with some great mainstream and work-focused laptops. Razer Blade Stealth is just another example of how great their laptops are, especially if the wok is your main priority.
Display and Build
There are a few things Razer did right with their display. Firstly, it has a 120 Hz panel. The refresh rate allows fast response and smoother motions so that you can keep track of the action on display easily. In addition, it offers brightness up to 357 nits.
Overall the screen delivers excellent color accuracy and sharp images. The laptop is relatively compact and lightweight too, so portability is not going to be an issue.
Processor and Graphics
Razer Blade offers the latest Intel Core i7-1165G7. This processor performs well in terms of both multi-core and single-core workloads. Whatever task you throw at this laptop, it can handle it with ease.
For graphics, it has a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q graphics card. So if you are looking forward to some gaming or graphics-intensive work, this laptop can deliver that too.
Storage and Ram
This laptop comes with 16 GB dual channel ram and a 512 GB SSD. The amount of ram it has makes it perfect for heavier software and multitasking. If you stick to work, streaming, or moderate gaming, the amount of storage it has should be enough for you.
Reasons to buy
This laptop offers great configurations that can deliver the best performance possible but is not cheap. Apart from the price and configuration, if you like the form factor and trademark Razer design aesthetic, Razer Blade Stealth 13 is for you.
Pros
- Stylish design with compact and sturdy chassis
- Discrete graphics for better graphical performance
- High refresh rate and color-accurate display
- Great for multitasking
- Excellent battery backup despite a discrete graphics card
Cons
- Large display bezels compared to other models
- Expensive compared to its competitors with similar configuration
2.LG Gram 17 (2021) – Best Premium Grade Laptop for Automotive Works
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Display: 17 inch IPS LCD 60Hz display
- Display Resolution: 2560x1600pixels
- RAM: 16 GB Dual-Channel DDR4 Ram
- Storage:1 TB SSD
- Weight: 2.98 lbs.
- Dimensions: 14.97 x 10.24 x 0.7inches
- Operating system: Windows 10 Home
LG as a brand may not be as familiar as other brands like HP, Asus, Dell, or Lenovo, but this is a brand well-known to laptop enthusiastic worldwide. LG has been delivering some great laptops for a long time now, and with their Gram lineup this year, LG is offering a great deal for people looking for a slim and lightweight laptop with good performance.
Display and Build
This laptop features a massive IPS LCD of 17 inches with a 2560 x 1600 pixels screen resolution. Though the display lacks touchscreen support, crisp image production and a wide viewing angle make up for that. The screen features an aspect ratio of 16:10, which may not seem like a big difference, but this slightly taller screen provides more room for browsing and other tasks. Despite this big screen, it’s surprising how light the laptop is at just 2.98 lbs. with very slim bezels.
Processor and Graphics
LG decided to go with the latest Intel’s i7-1165G7 Tiger Lake processor, delivering a considerable performance with low power consumption. There is no discrete graphics card with this laptop, but the Intel Iris Xe Graphics is more than enough to handle your work or day-to-day tasks.
Storage and Ram
With 16GB high-speed dual-channel memory and 1TB of NVMe SSD storage, the LG gram 17 sits right with other top-end laptops. Heavy multitasking or work as an automotive technician, this laptop can handle anything with this much RAM on board. You’ll also have tons of space to store work files as well as media files and software.
Reasons to buy
With the slick design and latest hardware, LG has done a perfect job with LG Gram 17 this year. If you are looking for an outstanding balance of design, specs, price, and performance, this should be an easy choice for you.
Pros
- Massive display with excellent viewing angle and aspect ratio
- Features the best chip set Intel has to offer right now
- Great battery life
- Large storage to store more data and work files
- Pretty lightweight despite the screen size
Cons
- Keyboards may feel a little soft for some
- No customization option
3.Dell XPS 13– Best Touchscreen Laptop for Automotive Technicians
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1185G7
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Display: 13.4 inch IPS 60Hz touch display
- Display Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels
- RAM: 16 GB Dual Channel LPDDR4x Ram
- Storage: 512 GB m.2 NVMe SSD
- Weight: 2.80 lbs.
- Dimensions: 7.82 x 11.64 x 0.58 inches
- Operating system: Windows 10 Pro
Dell laptops we see today are just the continuation of their record to manufacture some well-made laptops for both personal uses and work. With their XPS lineup, Dell has given some excellent laptops with a combination of great quality, performance, and affordability. This year, Dell successfully delivered again with all-new XPS 13.
Display and Build
Dell XPS 13 display has the trending yet unfamiliar to many, 16:10 aspect ratio, instead of more common 16:9 aspect ratio. Thanks to this aspect ratio, now you get a 13.4-inch FHD+ display with vivid color reproduction and accuracy. In addition, the display has a touch screen display with a maximum brightness of 500 nits, so you can conveniently use the laptop in daylight. Dell has tried their best to minimize the size and thickness, and with a 91.5% screen to body ratio, they have done it successfully.
Processor and Graphics
For a laptop this thin and lightweight, it performs no less than any performance-focused laptop available in the market. Inside, this laptop packs a powerful Intel Core i7-1185G7 Tiger Lake chipset that can satisfy anyone with an improved performance than the last-gen. For the graphics, this laptop depends on the integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics. However, except for heavy gaming or intense graphics work, this graphics chip can handle other tasks pretty well.
Storage and Ram
For memory, it has a 16 GB high-speed LPDDR4x RAM that should provide you with enough memory to withstand any workload or multitasking. In addition, there is M.2 NVMe inside with a high-speed transfer rate and 512 GB capacity for storing all the data you need.
Reasons to buy
Overall, the XPS 13 is an excellent choice with all the right features, adding up to an almost perfect laptop. If you’ve got the budget and want something powerful yet lightweight, you won’t regret buying this laptop.
Pros
- Exceptional battery life
- All the latest hardware on board
- Bright 16:10 screen
- It comes with a USB adapter
- Compact and attractive chassis
- Fingerprint security with the power button
Cons
- Minimal port option
4.HP Envy x360 – Best Convertible 2 in 1 Laptop for Automotive Work
Specifications
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics
- Display: IPS 60Hz touch display
- Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4 Ram
- Storage: 256 GB PCLe SSD
- Weight: 4.41 lbs.
- Dimensions:14.1 x 9.1 x 0.7 inches
- Operating system: Windows 10 Home
Convertible laptops can be great for automotive works as they provide the advantage of a laptop and a tablet in a single device. HP is known for making some of the best laptops in the market, and if you are looking for a good convertible laptop, HP’s Envy x360 can be a decent choice.
Display and Build
This laptop has a 1080p FHD touch display that can produce great colors and saturation. Touch displays can be very beneficial for automotive works, and the 392 nits maximum brightness will allow you to see what’s going on the screen. In addition, Envy x360 has a screen-to-body ratio of 88% to give you a more immersive view. Build wise; we think this is one of the nicest looking laptops in the market. It’s slim, made of aluminum, and the hinges have good quality with firm resistance.
Processor and Graphics
If you don’t know already, AMD’s latest mobile processors are continuously outperforming Intel CPUs at the same price category. This laptop comes with a Ryzen 5 4500U that can deliver the performance you need as an automotive technician. For graphics, it has integrated AMD Radeon Vega graphic chip inside, which is a better performer than other Intel UHD options and capable of keeping up with your work.
Storage and Ram
This laptop has an 8 GB DDR4 that should easily handle your automotive work and browsing. There is an expansion slot available if you want to upgrade the RAM at some point. The PCLe SSD has a great read and write speed for quick file transfer and data saving.
Reasons to buy
The HP Envy x360 is a solid option that provides good performance and a handy laptop for automotive technicians looking for something lightweight.
Pros
- Thin and lightweight build
- Excellent performance
- Good touch sensitivity
- Keyboard is great
- Great pricing for a 2-in-1 laptop
Cons
- The shiny display is not suitable for outside use
5.ASUS VivoBook 14 S413 – Best Bang for Buck Laptop for Automotive Technicians
Specifications
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics
- Display: 14-inch FHD IPS 60Hz display
- Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4 Ram
- Storage: 512 GB PCLe SSD
- Weight: 3.09 lbs.
- Dimensions: 12.76 x 8.39 x 0.68 inches
- Operating system: Windows 10 Home
ASUS has a massive lineup of laptops for different purposes. Asus Vivobook 14 S1431, this laptop is an excellent laptop from that pile of laptops with every quality to suit an automotive technician.
Display and Build
As you might already have assumed from the model name, this laptop has a 14-inch display with FHD resolution. The bezels are pretty slim with an 85% screen-to-body ratio, so the display looks good. It has a familiar aspect ratio of 16:9. The panel itself is excellent, offering good color and details. At first impression, the device is sleek and compact enough for the price that follows the build standard today.
Processor and Graphics
This particular VivoBook model comes with the latest-gen Ryzen 5 5500U mobile processor and integrated AMD Radeon graphics. Both of this combined, this laptop ensures you get all the power you need for your automotive works with low battery consumption.
Storage and Ram
VivoBook 14 S413 includes an 8 GB DDR4 memory stick and 256 GB PCLe SSD inside. The amount of RAM is pretty standard for the price. Moreover, you can upgrade it later if you want. An NVMe SSD could have been a better choice, but the PCle SSD has excellent transfer speed.
Reasons to buy
Across the board, this laptop got enough qualities to deliver impressive performance for your automotive needs as well as day-to-day tasks. For the budget, you will find this laptop a compelling choice.
Pros
- Latest gen Ryzen 5 processor faster than current-gen peers
- Great port selection for a budget laptop
- Excellent keyboard with backlit
- Fast storage for a smoother workflow
Cons
- Average display quality
- Not the best chassis construction around
6.Dell Inspiron 15 5502 – Best Laptop for Beginner Technicians
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe GraphicsDisplay: 15.6 inch IPS 60Hz display
- Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4 Ram
- Storage: 512 GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
- Weight: 3.78 lbs.
- Dimensions: 9.23 x 14.02 x 0.7 inches
- Operating system: Windows 10 Home
Dell has manufactured some excellent portable laptops over time for their Inspiron lineup. This Inspiron 15 5502 is another outstanding affordable laptop that delivers top-of-the-line performance for your work without breaking the bank. With a sturdy build and the latest hardware, this is a reasonably priced laptop everyone will like.
Display and Build
This laptop has a 15.6-inch display with FHD resolution. FHD resolution does a fantastic job by delivering sharp and crisp image production for the size of the display. The viewing angle is great, and you can crank up the brightness enough to work in daylight flawlessly. With a weight of only 3.78 lbs. this is a lightweight laptop with a lid-lift design. When you open the lid, the lid lifts the laptop slightly, offering great airflow. For added security, you get fingerprint recognition to unlock the system too.
Processor and Graphics
The Inspiron’s Core i5-1135G7 is one of the best laptop processors of this generation.According to our test result, this laptop has performed seamlessly for all the automotive work tests and real-life usage. Moreover, for graphics, Intel Iris Xe graphics may not be as powerful as a discrete one, delivering enough juice for regular graphics-related tasks.
Storage and Ram
As we see in almost every laptop model, this one has the fastest SSD as the storage solution with a 512 GB capacity. You can store all the automotive software and work files you want in this one. For the RAM, it has a single stick of 8 GB. It should be good enough if you focus on automotive works or regular day-to-day use.
Reasons to buy
Overall, Dell Inspiron 15 5502 is a sweet mix of power, portability, and reasonable pricing. With the large screen and great battery life, it can easily be the automotive work laptop of your choice.
Pros
- Good battery backup
- Tiger Lake CPU for more power with power efficiency
- Great audio quality
- Provides good value for the price
- Fingerprint system for added security
Cons
- Touchpad and the keyboard is annoyingly click
7.HP 14 – Best Budget Laptop for Automotive Technicians
Specifications
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics
- Display: 14 inch IPS 60Hz touch display
- Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4 Ram
- Storage: 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- Weight: 3.77 lbs.
- Dimensions:12.76 x 8.86 x 0.71 inches
- Operating system: Windows 10 Home
If you are on a tight budget, getting a good laptop is not an easy task. As there are many options in this price segment, we dug deeper than usual to find the best budget option for you. This HP 14 has all the latest hardware, which makes it a solid budget laptop.
Display and Build
The HP 14 has a 14-inch FHD display with quite big bezels on top and bottom, but the sharp image with good color and contrast make it up for the bezel and delivers an excellent viewing experience. Build wise; it’s nothing fancy or extraordinary. It has a lightweight and durable plastic chassis with an HP logo at the back, just what you expect from a budget laptop.
Processor and Graphics
Featuring a Ryzen 5 5500U processor with integrated AMD Radeon Graphics, this laptop packs enough power to handle any automotive software you throw at it. Program opening is amazingly fast, and you get better performance than other current-gen i5 processors. In addition to that, AMD Radeon graphics can generate enough power equal to a dedicated 2 GB VRAM, so overall, it can meet your expectations pretty easily.
Storage and Ram
This laptop features an 8 GB DDR4 memory stick and a 256 GB PCle SSD inside. You can expect a smooth multitasking experience from this laptop and ample space to store all your data at an incredible speed.
Reasons to buy
The HP is an excellent budget-oriented system with a great keyboard and uncompromised performance. If you are looking for an affordable laptop without hurting the pocket, this is the laptop to go for.
Pros
- Solid performance for a budget laptop
- Comfortable keyboard
- Efficient port selection
- Good build quality considering the low price
- FHD display with god color and contrasts
Cons
- Subpar battery performance
- Large display bezels
Frequently asked questions
Q: What should be my priority while buying an automotive technician’s laptop?
A:Some people may use their laptop multipurpose like gaming or for home use alongside the job. Whatever your intended use is, one thing you should never compromise is the processing power. Processor is that piece of hardware that gets all the work done. A laptop with good processing power will handle your workload better and more efficiently. It’ll also allow you to use the laptop for a long time in the future. Besides the processor, some technicians also prioritize touch screens and convertible laptops for easier handling and convenience. You should check out those features too.
Q: Can I use it for other purposes like gaming or day-to-day tasks?
A:Absolutely. In fact, many automotive technicians do that. Most of the laptops used for different automotive tasks are no different from laptops we use for gaming or daily usage, but there are few things to keep in mind to get the best for these other purposes. If you plan to play games, too, you should look for a laptop with a discrete graphics card to run popular titles. For multimedia and streaming, you might want to check out the audio and display quality.
Q: What are the minimum requirements for laptops for automotive technicians?
A:Primarily, to run diagnostics, a laptop with a decent processor with enough ram should do the job. We recommend getting a laptop with Windows 10 operating system and at least an Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen5 chipset (preferably latest gen) for optimal performance. A minimum of 8 GB ram is also required to run heavier software and multitasking. Storage is not an issue if you use it for this particular job only; 256 or 512 GB of storage should suffice but always make sure it’s an SSD and HDD as SSDs have faster read and write speed. Lastly, for display and build quality, there are no specific requirements. Almost all the laptops available in the market have FHD displays, and if you get a thin and lightweight laptop, it’ll look good, and carrying it will be easier.
Conclusion
Laptops play a huge role when running diagnostic tests and detect problems inside an automobile. If your laptop can handle the workload easily, it’ll make your job easier and save a lot of valuable time. We tried our best to add variety to our list by adding products from different price points and performance categories. After reading our article, we hope you will get an idea about the price, requirements, and the best possible automotive laptops from different categories. You can go for any of these laptops according to your need, and you won’t be disappointed.
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