I need help from you, big-brain folk. My kidding is entering the engineering program at A&M this Fall, so I'm looking for a laptop for him. I'm trying to decide between these two Dell machines. I'm not too worried about the cost, but there is a $847 difference between the two. I suspect both may be overkill, but I don't want to deal with buying another laptop during his 4-5 years at A&M.

$2652 on sale right now, but I doubt it was ever $4352 as listed on the site.
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-computer-laptops/precision-5680-workstation/spd/precision-16-5680-laptop/s006p5680usvp

$3499 currently.
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-computer-laptops/new-precision-5690-workstation/spd/precision-16-5690-laptop/s008p5690usvp


TIA, everyone.

Both will be more than adequate. The more expensive one has newer versions of both CPU and GPU but not necessarily better. They will be more energy efficient but will that i9 benchmarks slightly better than that 7 ultra. GPU is also better in the cheaper one

Yep, came to that same conclusion.

Thank you for the reply.

Pro support lets you get a 5 year warranty; that would ensure it lasts thru graduation.