What laptop s specs between these two would you choose for a Computer Engineering Student?

Next month I ll start my bachelor degree in Computer Engineering. I need a new laptop. I would love to have buy a Macbook Pro (since I'm used to Apple s ecosystem, I use iPhone and iPad) but at this moment I can't afford a good spec macbook.

So, I've seen two laptops that catched my atention. They are Lenovo Ideapads 720s but with different specs.

First Option: Ideapad 720s-14IKB
14
Intel Core I7-8550U 1.8 GHz
16Gb Ram
256SSD
NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2GB.

OR

Second Option: Ideapad 720s-15ikb
15.6
Intel Core I7-7700HQ 2.8GHz
16GB Ram
512GB SSD
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050TI

I know that the second option as a better graphics card and more SSD space. But the first option has an 8th generation processor rather than a 7th generation. Does this make a big difference?

Being a bachelor student in engineering shouldn't really come with any need for a powerful computer. You will probably spend most of your time on the console or on a text editor.
Having a Nvidia on the other hand could be an interesting thing if you're interested in learning about GPU programming, as a part of a personal project for instance. But here both machines have pretty much the same (the MX150 is essentially a half GTX1050Ti)
But an i7 sounds like a useless investment if the main role of this computer was work. Here it sounds like you're rather trying to build a gaming computer while using work as a pretext. For that I'ld say the i7-7700HQ seems a tiny bit more powerful (sensibly higher frequency for the same number of cores, despite having a bit less cache), at the cost of a decreased autonomy on batteries (TDP at 45W instead of 15W), and overall the second machine seems better suited. The i7-8550U is not even a genuine 8th generation (Coffee Lake), it's a "Kaby Lake Refresh" so both CPUs actually have the same architecture.

Note that there's an extremely good chance that your university publishes either recommended PC spec or actually has arranged to have discount laptops for sale through either the book store or major vendors like Dell, HP, and Lenovo (the all have student discount programs as well).

Don't get too hung up on the generation of processor. The two CPUs are roughly equivalent with a possible edge to the I7-7700HQ and that's all that matters and the 1050TI blows away the MX150

The only drawback is that the more powerful computer may need more power and therefore may either be heavier because it holds more batteries and/or not run a long on battery.

General use benchmarking

Core i7-8550U @ 1.80GHz 8299
Core i7-7700HQ @ 2.80GHz 8854
Not significant in general usage. The i7-8550U relies more on turbo in short time like a sprinter and i7-7700HQ more like a long distance runner.

They are both Kaby Lake of same density spacing internally. The 8th Gen reduces wattage which improves battery life and heat. The newer Kaby Lake R made some changes and tweaks and part of this is noticing the U vs HQ and not to ignore that.

On Battery / Plugged in. Lower rank better
#321 UHD 620 / #127 MX 150 (GT 1030 Mobility) 2GB
#315 HD 630 / #65 GTX 1050 TI Max-Q 4GB
Graphics processing capability and page buffer is better for the 2nd one.
Although not gaming or video editing focused, Computer Engineering can involve 3D design, CAD and complex circuitry display, and other software that graphics processors help performance.

The 14 is more portable and 15 more workstation oriented.
You can have a USB external storage for large files when needed so I would not worry about the 256 vs 512 SSD very much. Your needed stored software and dataset should never come near the 256GB.

First is about 3.4 pounds weight 1.55kg 12.62" x 8.77" x .62" / 320.7 x 222.8 x 15.9 (mm) metal chassis
4 Cell 55 Watt Hour Li-Polymer
Approximately $900-$950 in USA

The second running about $1400 list price,
14.12" x 9.58" x 0.70" / 358.8 x 243.5 x 17.95 (mm) 4.18 lbs (1.9 kg)
4 Cell 79 Watt Hour Li-Polymer

both are 802.11 AC (2 x 2) + Bluetooth® 4.1 wireless

I think the best question about choosing one or the other is about the prices you see and if you show me I might be able to shop around, and whether you want higher portability or higher performance.

General use benchmarking

Core i7-8550U @ 1.80GHz 8299
Core i7-7700HQ @ 2.80GHz 8854
Not significant in general usage. The i7-8550U relies more on turbo in short time like a sprinter and i7-7700HQ more like a long distance runner.

They are both Kaby Lake of same density spacing internally. The 8th Gen reduces wattage which improves battery life and heat. The newer Kaby Lake R made some changes and tweaks and part of this is noticing the U vs HQ and not to ignore that.

On Battery / Plugged in. Lower rank better
#321 UHD 620 / #127 MX 150 (GT 1030 Mobility) 2GB
#315 HD 630 / #65 GTX 1050 TI Max-Q 4GB
Graphics processing capability and page buffer is better for the 2nd one.
Although not gaming or video editing focused, Computer Engineering can involve 3D design, CAD and complex circuitry display, and other software that graphics processors help performance.

The 14 is more portable and 15 more workstation oriented.
You can have a USB external storage for large files when needed so I would not worry about the 256 vs 512 SSD very much. Your needed stored software and dataset should never come near the 256GB.

First is about 3.4 pounds weight 1.55kg 12.62" x 8.77" x .62" / 320.7 x 222.8 x 15.9 (mm) metal chassis
4 Cell 55 Watt Hour Li-Polymer
Approximately $900-$950 in USA

The second running about $1400 list price,
14.12" x 9.58" x 0.70" / 358.8 x 243.5 x 17.95 (mm) 4.18 lbs (1.9 kg)
4 Cell 79 Watt Hour Li-Polymer

both are 802.11 AC (2 x 2) + Bluetooth® 4.1 wireless

I think the best question about choosing one or the other is about the prices you see and if you show me I might be able to shop around, and whether you want higher portability or higher performance.