5 Best Laptop for Data Science & Analysis

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Data science is a really cool career that you may want to break into, but data science work often requires lots of computing power.

You won’t be able to run code without a proper laptop to handle the computationally-intensive machine learning algorithms.

That’s why I decided to write this review of the best laptops for data science and provide an overview of why each one is a great choice.

Read on for the best options available!

What are the Best Laptops for Data Science & Analysis?

When it comes to finding the best laptops, you need to find one that can handle high computing speeds with high RAM and processing power.

Here are a few that I personally use and recommend:

For more details on each, I’ll list them in sections below:

1. Apple M1 MacBook Pro 14″

The Apple M1 Pro MacBook Pro 14″ is hands-down one of the best laptops for data science you’ll need for high-performance tasks in data science!

I personally use this laptop as my daily driver and to perform data analytics tasks. However, due to its efficient M1 Apple Silicon chip, you’ll be able to handle much more demanding machine learning tasks such as deep learning.

You’ll be able to run data science libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and sci-kit learn on data sets to train models for machine learning workflows. The M1 MacBook 14″ is sufficient to handle these commonly-used programs in data science with ease!

Apple’s breakthrough M1 chip has surpassed the efficiency of that Intel over the years. That’s also because they are designed to work well to suit the macOS operating system.

So, if you’re looking for a powerful laptop that’s also efficient and easy to use, then the Apple M1 Pro MacBook 14″ is an excellent option!

Key Features:

• Extremely efficient and powerful M1 Pro Apple Silicon chip
• Up to 512GB PCIe-based flash storage
• 16GB of memory
• Super display quality with a 14″ Retina HD display
• Touch ID (Fingerprint reader)
• Extremely good for multitasking and performing heavy computing
• Backlit keyboard
• Long-lasting battery life of 17 hours
• macOS operating system

Cons:

• Less portable than the M2 MacBook Air
• Much more expensive than an M2 MacBook Air and other laptops
• Can be difficult to use if you’re not used to Apple’s products

My Take:

I absolutely adore this beautiful and powerful machine because of its ability to handle even the most demanding tasks in the data science and creative field.

I personally have used this for a few months now, and it has seen no problems handling data science-related code! I’ve been using it for my own data science projects too.

If you’re looking for a reliable laptop that works well, and you use other Apple products, then you must get this laptop. It’s also perfect for computer science students and data science professionals alike.

I found the fingerprint reader to be really convenient when I need to perform transactions with higher security or when I log onto the computer.

This is hands-down one of the best data science laptops I’ve ever used.

2. Lenovo Legion 7 Gen 6 Laptop

The Lenovo Legion 7 Gen 6 Laptop is one of the best laptops for data science because of its powerful computing capability!

Okay, you may be thinking that this laptop is just a gaming laptop, but gaming laptops are actually the best laptops for data science!

There’s actually a really good reason why I included this laptop in this list: For such powerful processing power, you’re paying a really affordable price!

It’s able to run really smoothly during all data science programs, including multiple data science applications such as IDEs like RStudio/Posit and Visual Studio Code really well.

I find that its 1TB SSD helps you to store data and launch these applications faster, too, so you’ll feel its fast performance. Coupled with the fast 165Hz display, this can feel really snappy!

With sufficient 16GB RAM, you’ll be able to perform multiple data science tasks at the same time.

This is a favorite among data scientists all over who choose to have a portable data science laptop to perform their data analysis tasks.

One of the concerns many have when picking a gaming laptop is its look and feel.

However, with this laptop, you won’t have to worry about carrying around an unprofessional-looking laptop with RGB lights all over.

With a really inconspicuous Storm Grey color, others won’t be able to tell that it’s a gaming laptop. You can always turn on the colorful backlight when you want to game after hours, though!

The reason why it’s powerful in processing data science tasks is because of its AMD Ryzen 7 5800H CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU.

These specs are at the cutting edge of the industry with their rendering speeds and processing power! The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU is especially helpful if you perform computationally-intensive machine learning tasks like deep learning.

You’ll definitely want to invest in a fast-processing laptop such as this because some Python scripts that train data will take hours, especially if you work with large data like genomics data. For data analysis, this beast will work well enough.

Key Features:

• Super fast processing speeds due to a Ryzen 7 5800H CPU
• Cutting edge fast graphic processor NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6, Boost Clock 1560 / 1620MHz, TGP 140W.
• Windows 11 Pro Operating System
• How much RAM: 16 GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM
• 1 TB PCIe SSD Storage
• Decent battery life for a gaming laptop of 5.1 hr in discrete mode or 8.3 hrs in hybrid mode

Cons:

• Heavier than the M1 MacBook Pro 14″
• Heavier charging brick
• More expensive than the M2 MacBook Air

My Take: 

If you’re a data scientist looking for the best laptop for data science, then the Lenovo Legion 7 Gen 6 Laptop is an excellent choice.

This is because its powerful processing speeds and cutting-edge GPU can easily handle all your data science tasks and data analytics work, making it a top pick among data scientists everywhere. And at such an affordable price point, it’s a great value for your money.

Overall, this is a top-notch machine that’s perfect for data scientists looking for a high-performance yet affordable laptop to get their intensive machine learning work done.

3. ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 SE G733CX Laptop

The ASUS ROG Strix 17 SE G733CX is an absolute beast of a gaming laptop, but it also works extremely well for a data scientist looking to perform very computationally-intensive data science tasks.

Thanks to its powerful Intel Core i9-12950HX CPU and NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX™ 3080 Ti GPU, it can handle even the most demanding data science tasks with ease.

This laptop is also great for you if you need a portable option for doing data science work on the go.

If you want to take this home from your office, this laptop will strike a good balance between portability and power for you!

Perfect for completing data science projects and data analysis projects alike!

With its 17.3″ display, large keyboard, and ample amount of storage, the ASUS ROG Strix is a true powerhouse that can handle all your data science needs.

This laptop is your go-to if you want to process large datasets at the same time. The total storage space of 2TB (2x 1TB SSD) will allow you to launch applications snappily.

Additionally, the 32GB RAM will allow you to launch multiple extremely heavy data science applications at the same time.

So if you’re looking for an all-around great laptop to use for your data science work, and you don’t mind spending a bit more on it, then the ASUS ROG Strix is definitely a top choice for you.

Key Features:

• Powerful Intel Core i9-12950HX CPU and NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX™ 3080 Ti GPU for fast processing speeds
• 240Hz 3ms IPS-Level Display 17.3″ display with anti-glare coating and RGB Backlit keyboard
• Has a large amount of storage space that boots up fast due to the 2 TB PCIe SSD
• 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) of fast DDR5 4800MHz RAM allows you to multitask by launching many applications at once
• Windows 11 Pro Operating System

Cons:

• Very heavy weight at ‎6.39 pounds
• May be too flashy for very professional settings

My Take:

This is the mother of all data science laptops!

The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 SE G733CX Laptop is the ultimate data science choice for data scientists who want a powerful and highly portable machine to get all their work done.

With its impressive processing speeds, high-quality display, a large amount of storage space, and powerful RAM, this laptop is one that data scientists use to perform reliable data science work or even personal data science projects.

However, some may find the price to be steep, but it’s well worth it for those who don’t want to pick a side between power and portability.

As data science and data processing require crazy fast processing speed and a good cooling system, this laptop is one of the best options out there for performing extreme machine learning tasks.

4. Razer Blade 14 Laptop

The Razer Blade 14 is one of the best Windows alternatives to Apple’s MacBook pro.

It’s the perfect emulation of the sleek look, the long battery life, and the high performance of a MacBook Pro!

Also, if you’re into gaming, you can even use this gaming laptop to play PC games after hours or on weekends.

Why is it a great choice for data science? That’s because it boasts an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics processor and the most powerful CPU in this list: the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX.

The two work hand in hand to produce a smooth daily usage experience on a Windows 11 operating system.

It easily blazes through the most intensive of computational tasks, and that definitely includes data science tasks such as testing and training of models in your Python or R scripts.

Whether you are using TensorFlow, PyTorch, or other means of handling your data models, this beast of a machine will blaze through it and still show up with buttery smooth performance!

Needless to say, if you are a data analyst and would like to use this sleek machine to perform data analysis for your personal data science projects, it will still work well!

Razer is also one of the most trusted brands in the gaming industry because of its extreme attention to design and gamer-centric-ness.

This translates to a smooth computing experience for any data professional; data scientist, data science intern, data science student, or data analyst!

Key Features:

• Has an incredibly powerful AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU processor to handle your other admin tasks
• Has a beast of a graphics processing unit for data science tasks: the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
• 16 GB DDR5 4800MHz RAM
• 1TB PCIe SSD
• Windows 11 Operating System
• Extremely long battery life of up to 11 hours

Cons:

• It may be too expensive for data science students/interns
• RAM is soldered in so it can’t be upgraded on your own

My Take:

If you’re serious about your data science work and want nothing but the best, look no further than the Razer Blade 14 Gaming Laptop!

I think that it has such a sleek black surface that will easily blend in with a work environment, especially one that appreciates fast processing power like a data science team!

No other laptops in this list have a better AMD Ryzen CPU than this laptop. What’s best about it is its simple design combined with blazing computing speeds for data analysis tasks.

This is simply a recipe for a sexy machine that works fast, games fast, looks good, and doesn’t slow you down!

Oh, and I love the battery life on this data science laptop: you can use it for up to 11 hours – way more than some other Windows options on this list!

5. Apple M2 MacBook Air (2022)

The Apple M2 MacBook Air is a great data science laptop if you’re looking for the best laptop for data science and analysis.

This data science laptop boasts some serious processing power, thanks to its new M2 Apple silicon chip, a super-efficient processor made by Apple.

This beautiful laptop by Apple is great for performing more computationally-demanding tasks, such as running long lines of complicated code.

If you’re a data scientist, you’ll need this to help you perform data science tasks such as processing datasets and training & building data models for data science projects.

If you have an iPhone or any other Apple product, picking this beast up will make a lot of sense.

It is extremely lightweight, making it perfect for students who want to carry it around campus. Not forgetting that it also has great battery life.

However, it will definitely be slower in performance and slightly hotter than a MacBook Pro.

Key Features:

• Powerful M2 Apple silicon chip for processing data
• Extremely lightweight and portable design, perfect for travel
• Good battery life for long extended use
• Works seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem
• 13.3-inch LED-backlit Retina HD Display at 2560×1600 native resolution
• Touch ID Sensor
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics
• USB Ports (USB Type C)
• MagSafe 2.0 Charging Port
• Long battery life (14 hours+)
• Backlit keyboard (Magic)
• macOS Operating System

Cons:

• It may not be suitable for big data analysis work
• The laptop may get hot because it lacks cooling fans

My Take:

If you’re a student looking for a budget yet powerful laptop for data science and analysis, the Apple M2 MacBook Air is a solid choice.

Its powerful processing capabilities and long battery life make it perfect for handling intensive computation work like cleaning datasets and building data models on the go.

It can definitely handle small to medium-sized data science projects for school assignments and basic data analysis.

While other data science laptops suffer less portability, this lightweight and thin laptop makes it easy to transport between classes, meetings, and work!

Also, if you’re a data analyst by profession, this basic laptop will do you good to perform decent data processing, multitask with many data science programs, and visualize data on its high-quality display.

What are Data Science Laptops?

Data science laptops are powerful computers designed to perform complex and often intensive tasks. These tasks may include data cleaning and wrangling, building predictive models, training machine learning algorithms, and visualizing datasets.

Data science laptops are typically built with fast processors, high-performance graphics cards, large memory storage, and long battery life.

They are commonly used by professionals, students, and data analysts to run complex datasets and perform tasks such as crypto predictions, machine learning, deep learning, data visualization, and numerical simulation.

If you’re looking for the best laptop for data science tasks, I recommend considering a few key factors such as processing power, graphics capability, and portability.

How to Choose a Laptop for Data Science?

Some of the key factors to consider when choosing a laptop for data science tasks include processing power, graphics capability, portability, and price. Other factors may include memory storage capacity, screen resolution, and cooling system, depending on your specific needs and budget.

Some good laptops for data science to consider include the Apple M1 MacBook Pro 14″ for their powerful processing power and sleek design. It also has a great battery life for its sleek size and is relatively lightweight.

Moreover, a more powerful processor here will help in utilizing the Power BI skills you learned from online courses!

Final Thoughts

Finding the ideal laptop for data science isn’t a simple process, but I hope this article has helped you better understand the best laptops for data science out there!

Picking the right one can really help you handle data science work such as machine learning, deep learning, data cleaning, data wrangling, and running your own server.

Many data scientists prefer to work with laptops for data science as compared to the many other random laptops out there because of the need for a good graphics processor to train models.

If you’re looking for the best laptop that data scientists and analysts prefer, I recommend the Apple M1 MacBook Pro 14″ for its reliable processing power and sleek design. (I personally use this!)

However, it may not be suitable if you need to do intense data analysis or data science tasks, or if you’re looking for a powerful cooling system.

Ultimately, your choice should depend on your specific needs and budget!

Thanks for reading and I wish you all the best in your data science career!