The 10 Best Laptop for Data Science in 2023 (Top Rated by Data Scientists)

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We may earn small commisison on the qualified purchases with no extra cost to you

Have you grown bored of your laptop’s sluggish performance? Why waste time waiting for it to work when we can help you improve the way you work as a data scientist?

We ran some data science tests on the market’s best laptops before deciding on a winner on which you may bet blindly. We found that the ASUS TUF Dash F15 is currently the most capable laptop for data science jobs. Because, it has a powerful CPU and dedicated GPU, as well as long battery life and a portable design that allows for a more professional experience. 

However, because everyone’s preferences and usage differ, you can look into other options that might better suit your needs. So, let’s have a look at what else we have.

Top 3 Picks for Data Science Students

Our Choice
ASUS TUF Dash F15 (2021)
9.9
  • Robust overall performance
  • Strong build and solid design
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Gorgeous, bright display
  • Effective heat management
Best Budget
Lenovo Ideapad L340
9.7
  • Decent CPU performance
  • Matte IPS panel
  • Bright display with sharp colors
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • Long battery lasting
Best Performance
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
9.6
  • Slim and stylish design
  • Great productive performance
  • Incredible display quality
  • Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
  • Good battery life

Comparison Table for Data Science Students (Top Rated)

IMAGEPRODUCTRATINGPRICE
Our Choice
ASUS TUF Dash F15 (2021)

ASUS TUF Dash F15 (2021)

  • Processor: Intel Core i7-11370H
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inch
  • RAM: 8/16 GB
  • Storage: 512 GB
9.9
View on Amazon
Best Budget
Lenovo Ideapad L340

Lenovo Ideapad L340

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-9300H
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inch
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • Storage: 512 GB
9.7
View on Amazon
Best Performance
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3

  • Processor: Intel Core i7
  • Screen Size: 13.5 Inch
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • Storage: 512 GB
9.6
View on Amazon
Best Graphics
MSI GS66 Stealth

MSI GS66 Stealth

  • Processor: Intel Core i7-10750H  
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inch
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • Storage: 512 GB
9.3
View on Amazon
Unique and Comfortable Keyboard
Dell XPS 15

Dell XPS 15

  • Processor: Intel Core i7-10750H 10th Gen
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inch
  • RAM: 16 GB 
  • Storage: 1 TB 
9.5
View on Amazon
Most Economical Laptop
Hp 15-dy1036nr Laptop

Hp 15-dy1036nr Laptop

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-1035G1 10th Gen
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inch 
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • Storage: 256 GB 
9.1
View on Amazon
Awesome 4K Display
Dell XPS 13 7390

Dell XPS 13 7390

  • Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10710U
  • Screen Size: 13.3 Inch
  • RAM: 16 GB 
  • Storage: 1 TB
9.6
View on Amazon
Extremely Compact and Lightweight
ZenBook 14 UX434

ZenBook 14 UX434

  • Processor: Intel Core i7-10510U
  • Screen Size: 14 Inch
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • Storage: 512 GB 
9.2
View on Amazon
Huge Variety of Ports
Acer Swift 3 SF313-52-79FS

Acer Swift 3 SF313-52-79FS

  • Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7
  • Screen Size: 13.5 Inch 
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • Storage: 512 GB
9
View on Amazon
Ultra-Comfortable Keyboard
Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop

Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop

  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 4800H
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inch 
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • Storage: 512 GB
9.7
View on Amazon

How We Did the Test?

For data science, you don’t really need a high-end machine. Because most data science resources are available over the cloud. Still, a modern processor is required for long-term reliability, while for the best computing efficiency, a good amount of memory and fast SSD storage comes into play.

So we started the test by selecting mid-end laptops known for providing the best performance according to data science experts. We wanted our recommendation to be straightforward and not cause confusion, so we chose only one best-performing laptop after putting it through a; series of tests. We considered the following factors to judge each option.

Performance

When testing the performance, we put the laptops through different stages of tests. The stages include productivity tests, graphics tests, gaming tests, battery tests, and display tests. We next rate the laptop’s performance in each stage to conclude the overall performance.

Build Quality

Aside from performance, we looked at the build quality of laptops. We evaluated the laptop’s flexibility, portability, and heat dissipation ability. We also assessed the laptop’s keyboard comfort because that is the most important factor when it comes to coding.

Pricing

Finally, we judged the pricing of laptops based on the features they provide as well as the results of build quality and performance testing. We ranked them based on the value they provide for the money and chose our final recommendation.

1. ASUS TUF Dash F15 (2021)

Our Choice
1. ASUS TUF Dash F15 (2021)
9.9/10Our Score
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inches 
  • Resolution: ‎1920 x 1080
  • Color: Eclipse Grey
  • Weight: ‎4.41 pounds

In addition to longer battery life, the ASUS TUF Dash F15 features a fast charging feature that allows you to charge your battery by 50% in just 30 minutes when it runs out of power.

Portable yet powerful laptops? We guess you’re seeking an ASUS product. Because the blend that ASUS makes of portable, power-packed, and affordable laptops is appreciable enough.

Such is our test qualifier, the ASUS TUF Dash F15. Its strong performance in a lightweight chassis tied with a long-lasting battery outclassed all the competitors, effortlessly.

The TUF Dash F15 has a sleek and thin gray appearance, with an aluminum laptop lid and keyboard deck. When the lid is opened, the bottom of the laptop is shown as plastic with a good variety of ports. The plastic build of the base panel adds up to the ease of customizing the laptop when you pop it open for upgrades.

Check out our Best Chromebook for students

Aside from a comfortable keyboard with well-spaced keys, the base panel houses robust components for tearing through the intensive tasks.

With the 11th generation Intel-i7 chip and NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti graphics combo, it mastered everything we put it through during tests, whether it was surfing the internet using the memory-hogging Google Chrome tabs, moving massive files over the SSD storage, or getting decent frame rates in mid-end games.

In terms of display, we were pleased with the 15.6-inch FHD panel surrounded by thin bezels, which provided a bright view with the sharp color of our content. Also, when compared to similarly equipped laptops, the ASUS TUF Dash F15 extended battery testing to an outstanding 10 hours. So, for all-day data mining and analysis, there is no better machine than this ultraportable beast.

Technical Specifications

Screen Size15.6-inch
Resolution1920×1080
Storage512 GB
Memory8/16 GB
Weight4.41 lbs
ColorsMoonlight White, Eclipse Gray
MaterialPlastic, metal
Dimensions14.17 x 9.92 x 0.78 inches
Wireless ConnectivityWi-Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac)Bluetooth version 5.1
USB Ports3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type A) 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type C)  with Thunderbolt 4
Benefits
  • Strong CPU and GPU performance
  • Lightweight and thin build
  • Features plenty of port
  • Supports charging via USB-C
Drawbacks
  • Lacks a webcam

2. Lenovo Ideapad L340

Best Budget
2. Lenovo Ideapad L340
9.7/10Our Score
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inches 
  • Resolution: ‎1920 x 1080
  • Color: Black
  • Weight: ‎4.84 pounds

The Lenovo IdeaPad has a stylish keyboard backlighting, which is blue. Most computers have RGB backlighting, but this laptop has monochrome backlighting that can be adjusted according to the environment.

The Lenovo IdeaPad laptop is a terrific laptop with a very low price tag. It is a basic laptop with amazing specifications and performance.

It has a very basic and simple design with a brushed black look. Immediately after you open the laptop, you will notice the blue keyboard lighting. As compared to the price the build quality is truly amazing.

 Its footprint is 14.3 x 10 inches and its thickness less than an inch, which makes it highly portable. The bezel on the top of the screen is thick to provide space for the webcam. However, the bezel on the sides is narrow.

The Lenovo Ideapad has a 15-inch wide display with a 1080p resolution. The clear, colorful, and detailed images produced during display tests were impressive. The display is bright enough to be used outside. Its IPS panel has a refresh rate of 60Hz, which makes the display highly responsive and exceptional for a laptop at this price.

The Lenovo IdeaPad L340 performed admirably in the performance test thanks to its powerful 9th generation Intel Core-i5 chip and 8 GB of sufficient memory for multitasking.

Overall performance was quite smooth with demanding tasks such as heavy program execution, 4K video playback, and memory-intensive Chrome browsing. Besides, it is also aided by a 512GB NVMe SSD that improves its performance. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650  provides a full HD resolution to the Lenovo IdeaPad.

The major drawback of the Lenovo Ideapad is the short battery life. It only provides a battery life of 4 hours, but it may vary upon usage as the company claims a battery life of 9 hours. When it comes to ports, the Lenovo IdeaPad provides very basic connectivity and does not include an SD card reader, a thunderbolt type C port, and a Kensington lock. However, it does have a few USD 3.1 ports, a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port, a headphone/mic jack, and a USB Type-C port.

The keys are of large size, well-spaced, and have very short travel. Just below the keyboard lies the touchpad, with a fair performance, but you might encounter some minor lags while using it. The click buttons are also rigid and require much more pressure to click than normal.

Verdict

If you want a laptop that is economical and can also perform some data science tasks, then you should opt for the Lenovo IdeaPad. But keep in mind that it won’t be able to execute heavy tasks. So if your work is heavy, then try to increase your budget and look for better options.

Technical Specifications

Model81LK00HDUS
Display15.6 inches
Operating systemWindows 10
Dimensions14.3 x 10 and less than an inch thick
Memory size512 GB
Weight4.84 Lbs
Max screen resolution1080p
RAM8GB 
Memory speed2400 Hz
Benefits
  • Decent CPU and GPU performance
  • Long battery life
  • Comfortable keyboard design
  • Offers a good value
Drawbacks
  • Display is a bit dull

3. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3

Best Performance
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
9.6/10Our Score
  • Screen Size: 13.5 Inches 
  • Resolution: ‎2256 x 1504 
  • Color: Matte Black
  • Weight: ‎2.8 pounds

 It has a really wide touchpad that is smooth and accurate. The touchpad responded to all Windows 10 gestures.

Microsoft has always created amazing laptops that provide splendid performance and futuristic style. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is another stylish product that is loaded with features. 

The surface 3 laptop looks very similar to the MacBook. Its deck comes in two materials, one is metal and the other is Alcantara fabric. In addition, it is also available in many unique colors, such as sandstone finish, platinum, and cobalt. It is really lightweight and compact, as it only weighs 2.8 pounds and is 0.6 inches thick.

Its 13.5 inches touch screen provides an amazing resolution of 2256 x 1540 resolution. Its 4K display produces high-quality images. However, it has 2 drawbacks, one is that the bezel is very thick, and the other is that the screen is very reflective.

With its Intel Core i7-1065G7 CPU and 16 GB of RAM, it can ‌efficiently perform heavy tasks of all sorts. We opened Youtube tabs and a dozen other tabs on Chrome for testing and proved to be a multitasking experts. However, it showed a little delay in opening further tabs. It is not a gaming laptop and doesn’t have high-quality integrated graphics. Therefore, you cannot play heavy games on Microsoft Surface 3.

The keyboard of the Surface 3 laptop has a satisfying click and the keys are very well spaced with decent travel. Its keys do not demand a very high actuation force and therefore typing is very easy. The Microsoft Surface Book 3’s comfortable keyboard experience stood out as unmatched as compared to all the laptops on our list.

Its battery lasted 9 hours and 17 minutes, which is really awesome. Furthermore, the connectivity offered by the Microsoft Surface 3 laptop is very limited as it only offers USB 3.1 Type-A port, a USB Type-C input, and a headphone/mic jack on its left. On the right, it only has a port for charging.

Verdict

The futuristic look and stunning performance of the Microsoft Surface 3 laptop make it a strong competitor against every product on our list. 

Technical Specifications

ModelSurface Laptop
Display13.5 inches
Operating systemWindows 10 Home
Dimensions12.13 x 8.78 x 0.57 inches
Memory size512 GB
Weight2.8 pounds
Max screen resolution2256 x 1504 Pixels
RAM16 GB
Benefits
  • Slim and lightweight design
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Superb performance
Drawbacks
  • A bit pricey
  • Not a good choice of ports

4. MSI GS66 Stealth

Best Graphics
4. MSI GS66 Stealth
9.3/10Our Score
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inches 
  • Resolution: ‎1920 x 1080
  • Color: Matte Black
  • Weight: 4.6 pounds

The laptop has a mat black look with a shiny black logo embossed just above the center that easily catches the eye. It has a very solid and heavy feel to it and weighs about 4.6 pounds, but still; it is lighter than other gaming laptops.

The MSI GS66 Sheath is another amazing product on our list that has unbelievable features and outstanding performance. Let’s talk about the specifications that make it such an amazing product.

It has a 15.6-inch display that produces 1920 by 1080 resolution. Hence, the images produced are sharp and accurate. The matte display also helps in eliminating any potential glare. It produces a maximum of 321 nits of brightness, which is enough even while working in a vivid environment.

In terms of the performance testing, the MSI GS66 Sheath has impressive performance because of its mighty 2.6-GHz Intel Core i7-10750H processor and 16 GB RAM. It is a beast when it comes to multitasking, it could open 30 Chrome tabs along with Netflix without any decline in speed. Under the hood lies the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super Max-Q that can achieve 102 frames per second at 1920 by 1080 resolution.

It has a 99-watt-hour battery that lasted 6 hours and 39 minutes when it was tested by web surfing on Wi-Fi at 150 nits. Gaming laptops usually have a battery life of 2 to 4 hours, compared to that the battery life is amazing.

It has a very satisfying keyboard as the keys are of good size and are well spaced, with amazing travel. Additionally, the keys have backlighting that is helpful while typing in dim light.

The MSI has plenty of ports for connectivity. On the right, it has a USB Gen 3.2 Type-C port along with a pair of USB 3.1 Type-A ports, a headset jack, and an Ethernet port. Whereas on the left, it has a USB 3.1 Type-A port, a Thunderbolt 3 port, an AC jack, and a full HDMI port.

Verdict

Gaming laptops are best for Data science as they have excellent graphics and powerful processors. Therefore if you buy MSI GS66 Sheath you won’t be disappointed.

Technical Specifications

ModelGS66 Stealth 10SE-039
Display15.6 inch
Operating systemWindows 10 Pro
Dimensions14.2 x 9.7 x 0.7-inch
Memory size512 GB
Weight4.6 pounds
Max screen resolution1920 by 1080
RAM16 GB
Benefits
  • Futuristic and portable design
  • Long-lasting battery
  • Excellent connectivity options
Drawbacks
  • Somewhat overpriced
  • Speakers are not so loud

5. Dell XPS 15

Unique and Comfortable Keyboard
5. Dell XPS 15
9.5/10Our Score
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inches 
  • Resolution: ‎3840 x 2400
  • Color: Silver
  • Weight: 9.18 pounds

Dell is known for producing the finest display, and the Dell XPS also has a terrific display. It offers a stunning resolution of 3840 by 2400.

The Dell XPS is an amazing machine with a very decent and slim design. The hood is made up of aluminum, which adds a premium look to the laptop. The center of the hood is embossed with a glossy dell logo. 

Upon opening the laptop, we can immediately notice the large palm rest, which is made out of carbon fiber. Speakers are located on the right and left sides of the keyboard. It only weighs about 4.5 pounds with a thickness of only 0.7 inches.

Dell’s innovative infinity edge design plays a great deal in its resolution and gives it an upper hand on the better-ranked ASUS TUF Dash F15’s FHD display.

 Its display is 15.6 inches wide and is made from Gorilla Glass for outstanding durability. It produces a maximum brightness of 434 nits. With such brightness, you would be able to work even in the brightest sunlight.

Multitasking isn’t a big deal for the Dell XPS 15 as it has a 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 and 16 GB DDR4 RAM. During our tests, it managed to operate plenty of Chrome tabs quite easily, and also hefty program executions were a breeze. It produces quite satisfying graphics because it has Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q GPU with 4 GB of VRAM for data-heavy spreadsheets and photo and video editing.

4K displays consume a lot of battery, so laptops with 4K displays have poor battery life. The Dell XPS offers an average battery life of 8 hours, which is great for a laptop with a 4k panel. However, Laptops with lower resolution offer a longer battery life.

It has a very comfortable keyboard which provides an awesome typing experience. Despite the large key caps, its keys are still well spaced. The keys also have a very decent travel, but sadly the keyboard isn’t backlit. The touchpad is quite large and accurate. The touchpad supports Windows 10 gestures efficiently.

It offers moderate connectivity as it has a full-sized SD card reader, headset jack, and a USB type C port on the right side. On the left, it has a pair of Thunderbolt 3 ports and a wedge lock slot. It lacks an HDMI slot.

Verdict

Considering its slim design, stunning performance along with its high-resolution display and long-lasting battery life. It can easily be concluded that the Dell XPS is one of the best choices in laptops for data science.

Technical Specifications

ModelXPS9500-7845SLV-PUS
Display15.6 inches
Operating systemWindows 10 Pro
Dimensions13.57 x 9.06 x 0.71 inches
Memory size1 TB
Weight9.18 pounds
Max screen resolution3840 by 2400 resolution with 4K display
RAM16 GB
Benefits
  • Beautiful and strong design
  • Great speaker quality
  • Powerful processor
Drawbacks
  • The graphics aren't that incredible

6. Hp 15-dy1036nr Laptop

Most Economical Laptop
6. Hp 15-dy1036nr Laptop
9.1/10Our Score
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inches 
  • Resolution: ‎1920 x 1080
  • Color: Natural Silver
  • Weight: 3.75 pounds

Hp 15-dy 1036nr has an incredible and well-sized touchpad that gives off a shiny look. It responds to all Windows 10 gestures.

Hp has always been producing high-quality laptops at an economical price. Just like that the Hp 15-dy 1036nr is a pocket-friendly product that somehow lacks in the design but has all the basic features for your everyday work. It is a good option for students on a tight budget. The Hp 15-dy 1036nr has the following features.

There is nothing unique about the design of the Hp 15-dy 1036nr but that doesn’t mean it has a cheap design. At first look, it seems as if it’s made from Aluminum but that’s actually high-quality plastic with a brushed metal look. The lid has a logo in the center which has a shiny metallic look to it. It’s a bit heavier than what usually laptops weigh but is really thin. 

It has a full HD display that is 15.6 inches wide which provides 1920 by 1080 resolution. The WLED screen is a bit dim as it provides 220 nits of maximum brightness. It’s fine for internal use but not for a very bright environment like sunlight.

It is equipped with a quad-core 10th Gen Intel i5-1035G1 processor with a 1.0 GHz base frequency.  Additionally, it has 8GB RAM with 256GB of SSD storage. However,  A dedicated graphic unit is absent, however, it has an Intel integrated graphic unit. Through these specs, it performed as a mid-end laptop throughout our tests. 

We performed multiple productivity tasks like word processing, 4K video playback, and web surfing with a lot of Chrome tabs. It performed all these tasks with ease. However, it might lag if you try to multitask with two-three hefty programs.

The Hp 15-dy 1036nr includes a full-sized keyboard with a Numpad. The keys have decent travel and are well spaced. You won’t face any problems while typing on the keyboard. It has a great keyboard for extensive typing sessions, like taking notes in class.

This laptop provides acceptable connectivity with other peripheral devices. It has a USB type C, 2 USB 3.1, 1 HDMI slot, a 3.5mm audio/mic jack, and an SD card slot, but lacks a Thunderbolt 3 USB port. Wireless connectivity is also possible due to Intel Wi-Fi 6 card.

It has a 41 Wh Li-ion battery that lasts for 10 hours and 15 minutes, which is longer than the 9-hour battery life of the Microsoft Surface Book 3. It provides video playback of 8 hours and 30 min. The battery life is one of the most amazing things about this laptop.

Verdict

The Hp 15-dy 1036nr provides high performance for such a low price and thus is the most economical laptop on our list. It is best for data scientists which have a minimal budget.

Technical Specifications

ModelHP Laptop
Display15.6 inches
Operating systemWindows 10 Home
Dimensions14.11 x 9.53 x 0.71 inches
Memory size256 GB
Weight3.75 pounds
Max screen resolution1920 x 1080 Pixels
RAM8GB
Memory speed2666MHz
Benefits
  • Slim and portable design
  • Strong battery life
  • Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
Drawbacks
  • Plastic build material

7. Dell XPS 13 7390

Awesome 4K Display
7. Dell XPS 13 7390
9.6/10Our Score
  • Screen Size: 13.3 Inches 
  • Resolution: ‎3840 x 2160
  • Color: Silver
  • Weight: 2.7 pounds

It has an amazing webcam that is really significant for video conferencing. The audio output of the speakers was also splendid. In addition, the sound produced was really clear and loud.

This laptop is a premium product with the finest performance and classy futuristic design. Its specifications are one of a kind. Let us bring some of its features to your consideration.

The body of the Dell XPS is made from anodized aluminum and upon opening the laptop you will notice the carbon fiber deck. The narrow bezel is amazing and provides a wide view. Despite the narrow bezel, the Dell XPS still manages to provide a webcam on top. Furthermore, It weighs only 2.7 pounds and is 0.5 inches thick.

It has a 13.3-inch display that has a superb resolution of 1080p that produces an extremely sharp display. The 4K panel is a bit glossy, which may produce a glare if used outside in the sun. So one should buy the matte panel for outdoor usage. In addition, the display provides 382 nits of brightness. In addition, the colors produced by the screen are incredible and precise.

The Dell XPS stands out when it comes to performance. With a 10th-Gen Core i7-10710U CPU and 16 GB RAM, the Dell XPS 13 set an outstanding performance show in our tests. We ran it through different tasks like large file transfers, mild gaming sessions, and YouTube tabs on Chrome running videos at 1080p. We didn’t notice a slight stuttering and overall testing performance was smooth enough. It has Intel UHD graphics that can run games at 30 frames per second. 

As we know that laptops with 4K panels consume a lot of power. But the Dell XPS still manages to provide 7 hours and 36 minutes of battery life when put under continuous web surfing on 150 nits of brightness.

The keyboard of the Dell XPS is a bit shallow, but still has very nice travel to it that makes it really comfortable. Its keys are nicely sized and well-spaced, which provides you with the ultimate typing experience.  Furthermore, the touchpad is really smooth and accurate and responds to all Windows 10 gestures. The port selection of the Dell XPS is also amazing and thus provides marvelous connectivity.

Verdict

Those who want incredible performance and have enough budget should buy the Dell XPS as it provides comfort portability and amazing performance. The Dell  XPS is really worth its price.

Technical Specifications

ModelXPS7390-7681SLV-PUS
Display13.3 inches
Operating systemWindows 10 home
Dimensions11.9 x 7.8 x 0.5
Memory size1 TB
Weight2.7 pounds
Max screen resolution1080p
RAM16
Memory speed2133 MHz
Benefits
  • Narrow bezel and wider display
  • Long battery life 
  • Comfortable keyboard
Drawbacks
  • Not enough connectivity options

ZenBook 14 UX434

Extremely Compact and Lightweight
ZenBook 14 UX434
9.2/10Our Score
  • Screen Size: 14 Inches 
  • Resolution: ‎1920 x 1080
  • Color: Royal blue
  • Weight: 2.78 pounds

The ZenBook 14 is one of the most futuristic laptops out there in the market. It is a very compact and lightweight laptop with some unique features.

It has a very beautiful and modern design with a slim and lightweight body. Its latest model only comes in a royal blue color, which looks amazing on it. The screen has a very narrow bezel and can be leaned back to 145 degrees. Furthermore, the 2019 model of the ZenBook has a very large-sized screen pad that covers a large area of the palm rest.

The ZenBook 14 has a 14-inch wide display which produces a sharp image due to an amazing resolution of 1920 by 1080. This laptop has two variants, one with a touch screen and the other without a touch screen, and both come with protective glass on top. It offers more than 300 nits of brightness which is less than its other models but is still enough to work even in a brighter environment.

The ZenBook 14 is a multitasking beast with its 16 GB RAM and Intel Core i7-10510U processor. Under the hood, it is equipped with Intel UHD 620 and Nvidia MX250 2 GB graphics which provide decent graphics, but it’s not a laptop for gaming. It also has an enormous 512 GB of storage.

All these specs turned the game around with a powerful performance in our testing. The ZenBook 14 proved to be a productivity expert, as it killed all the tasks we threw at it. Whether it was fast boot-ups, resource-demanding programs, and graphic thirsty games. It got us through it all.

Also, it has a 50 WH battery which on average lasted for 7 hours under normal usage conditions. But the amazing part is that it charges very fast, as it only requires 2 hours to be fully charged.

It has a very comfortable keyboard with full-sized keys. The power button is also located in the top right corner of the keyboard. The keys have an amazing 1.4 mm travel which means that the keys of the ZenBook 14 are not shallow. It has a large screen pad which also has a touchpad of 5.65 inches under which lies a screen that produces a resolution of 2160 by 1440. The screen pad can be enabled or disabled by pressing the F6 key.

It offers limited connectivity as it has 1x USB-A 3.1, 1x USB-C 3.1 gen2 that can only transfer data (no video or power), 1x USB-A 2.0, HDMI port, micro SD card reader, and a mic/headphone jack. It lacks thunderbolt type C USB ports and a full-sized SD card reader.

Technical Specification

ModelZenBook 14 UX434FLC
Display14 inches
Operating systemWindows 10 pro
Dimensions12.60 x 7.80 x 0.70 inches
Memory size512 GB
Weight2.78 pounds
Max screen resolution1920 x 1080 Pixels
RAM16 GB 
Memory speed2133 MHz
Benefits
  • Comes with a screen pad
  • It includes two Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • The bezels of the screen are very narrow
Drawbacks
  • The webcam is a bit grainy

9. Acer Swift 3 SF313-52-79FS

Huge Variety of Ports
9. Acer Swift 3 SF313-52-79FS
9/10Our Score
  • Screen Size: 13.5 Inches 
  • Resolution: ‎2256 x 1504
  • Color: Silver
  • Weight: 2.63 pounds

Acer Swift 3 has a very comfy keyboard as all the keys are of good size and are very nicely spaced.

The Acer swift is a marvelous product that is available in different sizes according to your preference. It has 3 variants that have 13, 14, and 15-inch displays. This product has awesome specifications, so without any waste of time let’s talk about them.

It is really portable due to its slim design and is also lightweight and durable because it is made from aluminum and magnesium alloy. It is only 0.63 inches thick and is 11.9 by 9.2 inches wide.

It has a 13.5 inches display that produces a sharp resolution of 2256 x 1504. The colors of the screen are realistic and accurate. However, the display is extremely bright as it provides 400 nits of brightness.

Nothing is too difficult for this monster, thanks to its Intel Core i7-1065G7 chip and 16 GB of memory. When tested with light to heavy day-to-day tasks like web browsing and word processing, it performed admirably. 

Even when running a long list of Chrome tasks while playing a YouTube playlist, there is no stuttering. It also includes Intel Iris Plus Graphics for video editing and light gaming.

The keys also have decent travel. Just below the keyboard, there is a large trackpad that is accurate and smooth and responds to Windows 10 gestures. On the right of the trackpad, it has a fingerprint scanner that makes the Acer Swift 3 secure from intruders. 

It has a battery timing of 7 hours and 32 minutes, which is quite an average. The connectivity provided by the Acer Swift 3 is appreciable as it provides all sorts of ports including Thunderbolt 3. 

Verdict

This is a perfect laptop for a data scientist as it has superb performance, a long-lasting battery, and marvelous portability. The Acer Swift 3 is a lifesaver laptop, equipped with all that you may need.

Technical Specifications

ModelSF313-52-79FS
Display13.5 inches
Operating systemWindows 10 Home
Dimensions0.63 by 11.9 by 9.2 inches
Memory size512 GB
Weight2.63
Max screen resolution2256 x 1504
RAM16 GB
Memory speed3.9 GHz
Benefits
  • Gorgeous high-resolution OLED display
  • Superb performance
  • Slim and lightweight design.
Drawbacks
  • Sluggish SSD

10. Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop

Ultra-Comfortable Keyboard
10. Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop
9.7/10Our Score
  • Screen Size: 15.6 Inches 
  • Resolution: ‎1920 x 1080
  • Color: Phantom Black
  • Weight: 5.4 pounds

 The Lenovo legion is a gaming laptop that gives excellent performance for a very small price.

 Features of the Lenovo legion are very basic and are compatible with everyday work. Have a look at some of them. 

It doesn’t have a fancy design and comes in a phantom black color. The Legion logo is embossed in the top left corner of the laptop. When you will open the lid you will immediately notice the narrow bezel and the power button which is just below the Legion logo. Furthermore, it has cylindrical hinges that allow it to lay flat by 180 degrees. The laptop is heavy and weighs 5.4 pounds and is 0.9 inches thick.  

It has a 15.6-inch display which provides 1920 by 1080 resolution. It has an Nvidia G-Sync, which provides it with a 120Hz refresh rate. The color of the display could have been better as they aren’t quite as rich. In addition, the Lenovo legion displayed 287 nits of brightness which is a standard brightness. You may face some difficulties if working in bright sunlight.

The Lenovo legion comes with an Intel Core i7-10750H processor and 8GB of RAM. What can be expected from a unit with an advanced chip and enough memory? A superb computing performance. That’s what we saw in our performance tests, where we ran various tasks to test its limits and it breezed through them all with no hiccups. It is capable of handling heavy tasks and multitasking.

Even though the Lenovo legion is a gaming laptop, but still its battery timing is better than some basic laptops. Its battery lasted 7 hours and 13 minutes upon continuous web surfing on 150 nits. Its charging time is also amazing, as it was half-charged in just 30 minutes.

It has a full-sized keyboard with Numpad that also has island-style backlighting. The keys are well spaced and have very nice travel. Overall, the keyboard is superb, and it will provide you with an awesome typing experience.

The Numpad is 4.2 x 2.8 which is a bit smaller than what you would expect. However, the touchpad is accurate and smooth and easily performs all Windows 10 gestures. It has a wide variety of ports, mainly on the back, that provide ultimate connectivity.

It has a webcam, but we wouldn’t call it amazing as it is a bit grainy. However, it still serves well for video conferencing. Its audio output is decent and fills up a medium-sized room without any difficulty.

Verdict

There is no doubt that the Lenovo legion is an amazing laptop with powerful performance and amazing battery life. All these characteristics make it worthy of being an amazing laptop for data science.

Technical Specifications

ModelLegion 5 15″
Display15.6 inches
Operating systemWindows 10 home
Dimensions14.29 x 10.22 x 0.98 inches
Memory size512 GB
Weight5.4 pounds
Max screen resolution1920 x 1080 Pixels
RAM8 GB
Memory speed3200 MHz
Benefits
  • Well-priced laptop
  • Comfortable backlit keyboard
  • Loudspeakers
Drawbacks
  • Heats up under heavy workloads

Buying Guide

A data scientist may consider some basic requirements in a laptop for it to give maximum output. Let’s talk about some of the most basic requirements that a laptop for data science should have.

RAM

RAM is one of the most important contents of a computer. A very major part of the overall performance of a laptop depends upon its RAM. Laptops with 8 GB RAM are fine, but for data science, laptops with 16 GB RAM are preferred. If the RAM is not good enough, the laptop’s output will be extremely slow and will affect its productivity of the laptop. So the RAM of the laptop requires special consideration.

Graphics 

Laptops for data science also require high-quality graphics, especially if they are doing machine learning. So one should always prefer laptops with incredible graphics. Gaming laptops serve best for data science because they are equipped with high-quality graphics.

Processor

The processor provides laptops the ability to perform heavy tasks, such as editing and designing. Those who require ultimate performance go for i7 and higher. However, those with a tight budget can also go for i5, which also has a ‌decent performance.

Storage

Storage is also a very essential part of a laptop. There are two types of storage HDD and SSD which can be equipped on a laptop. HDD storage is a bit cheap but is slower as it has many moving parts. The SSD storage has higher prices but performs better. Data science requires large and accessible storage, for that reason data scientists should always prefer SSD storage.

Display and Resolution

Laptops should always have a fine display and resolution because one would basically view the screen most of the time. IPS backlit display would be the foremost choice in this case as they provide the finest display and comfort.

Read More How To Make Your Screen Brighter Than Max?

Portability 

Laptops are all about portability, as it is one of the major differences between laptops and desktops. Smaller laptops are more portable than laptops with a larger display and thick design. Laptops with larger screens also have shorter battery life as the display consumes more power. Those who demand portability should always buy laptops with small displays and slim designs.

The Bottom Line

As the market is swamped with laptops to team up for your data science work, you can’t just trust ads listing impressive specifications. So we took the driver’s seat and tested several options for you. And found that the ASUS TUF Dash F15 is the best of the bunch, which you may trust.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. How much RAM is required for Data Science?

    RAM requirement depends on the type of work you need to perform on the laptop. Some may suggest 4G RAM but to be on the safe side, it should at least be 8 GB. The more RAM you have, the better will be the overall performance.

  2. Best OS for Data science?

    Data science work mainly relies on the operating system as they run many data which can be difficult to handle. Linux is a much better operating system than Windows, which is a reason why 99% of supercomputers have a Linux operating system. Therefore, the Linux operating system is preferable for data scientists.

  3. Are gaming laptops good for data science?

    Gaming laptops have everything that a laptop for data science should have. Data science laptops mainly require good graphics and incredible computing abilities. So, gaming laptops are best for data science.

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Micheal Hall

Micheal Hall

I am a computer geek living in Lewiston, Idaho. I have a degree in Computer Engineering from Washington State University. My vision is to make algorithms and programming easy to understand. So, I created this website so I can share stuff about computers with you.