Is a Mac really that great for a new college student?

[NMynarich]

I'm going into college this fall and I really WANT a mac, but I'm not sure if its the wisest choice. I keep having this fear of not being able to find programs or not liking the mac once i've bought it. Its a lot of money to think about and I'm nervous of making the wrong decision. If I do buy one, this will be my first mac. I'm not going into art, or music, or whatever. I'm going into business. I need word processing and internet. I'm sure not a lot of people own macs at school so I wont be able to get help from friends if I don't understand how to use the new OS. So my question is, in this situation, is it worth it? Help.

P.S.... I was convinced. But now I'm not so sure. :o

[AcousticDoc]

I'm going into college this fall and I really WANT a mac, but I'm not sure if its the wisest choice. I keep having this fear of not being able to find programs or not liking the mac once i've bought it. Its a lot of money to think about and I'm nervous of making the wrong decision. If I do buy one, this will be my first mac. I'm not going into art, or music, or whatever. I'm going into business. I need word processing and internet. I'm sure not a lot of people own macs at school so I wont be able to get help from friends if I don't understand how to use the new OS. So my question is, in this situation, is it worth it? Help.

P.S.... I was convinced. But now I'm not so sure. :o

Honestly, if you're going into your undergrad years it really isn't going to matter. Enjoy your new mac ;)

[gamestriker]

Don't worry! I'm starting college this fall, and I already know my mac will be just fine. I'm majoring in Computer Science in a Windows-centered college and I'm already playing nice with the other PCs. :p A Mac is great for Internet and word processing, and you can find alot of common business apps for Mac like File Maker Pro, or MS Office. If you need to find a specific app, check the Apple website; they have fairly thorough listings for Mac apps.

I'm confident that a Mac will serve you great in college. :)

[NMynarich]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the support. I probably am still going with a mac. I'm just a little nervous because its something totally new for me. :)

[briangig]

unless you know of a specific windows based program you will be needing (like something the school has), you have no fears. Office for Mac works great...if you even need something that avanced. There are tons of programs out there for the mac, there is very little that cant be done on a mac that can on a pc...

[TDM21]

My advice to you is not to worry. Last fall was my first year of college and I didn't have any problems with having a PB (actually there was one, but that was the schools fault). My major was Computer Science which included programming and learning circuitry. My first semester was fine, but I found myself needing Virtual PC for VB.net and a virtual circuit simulation program. Still I managed through the hard stuff and made it out with my laptop intact. One thing about having a Mac: it will keep 75% of your new buddies from touching it. Friends would always come in chat and jump on my roommates laptop. I think 3 different people touched the keyboard of my laptop in the course of 2 semesters.

Buy the Mac, you won't be disappointed.

[QCassidy352]

if you are in a business program, there could be some software that is PC only. Make sure that isn't the case before buying a mac!

[Zachariah]

your college probably sells VirtualPC at quite a discount (so you could run Windows on your Mac, too)

[NMynarich]

I have to say, you people are amazing. I've always been impressed with the enthusiasm of mac owners about their macs. Makes me feel a thousand times better about buying one. THANKS! :D

[tsk]

Someone mentioned Virtual PC. My advice is to avoid this at all costs. It stinks in my experience.

As far as getting a Mac, unless you expect to run special programs that need Windows, I don't think you'll have any issue. I assume you would also have access to a lab which can help out in a pinch (but obviously, you don't want to be forced to a lab for a semester). I'd check with your department if there are any special programs they require for any of the classes that are PC only.

[mpopkin]

a mac is a big jump when you have not used it, but once you have learned it a little, it is not only easier to use, but it will have less trouble down the road with operating system and hardware problems and keeps a pretty high resale value because of its quality. Go for it, it may be a little bit more money, but it will safe you money in the future and stress for that matter

I'm going into college this fall and I really WANT a mac, but I'm not sure if its the wisest choice. I keep having this fear of not being able to find programs or not liking the mac once i've bought it. Its a lot of money to think about and I'm nervous of making the wrong decision. If I do buy one, this will be my first mac. I'm not going into art, or music, or whatever. I'm going into business. I need word processing and internet. I'm sure not a lot of people own macs at school so I wont be able to get help from friends if I don't understand how to use the new OS. So my question is, in this situation, is it worth it? Help.

P.S.... I was convinced. But now I'm not so sure. :o

[Abstract]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the support. I probably am still going with a mac. I'm just a little nervous because its something totally new for me. :)

Forget the Virtual PC (VPC) suggestions.

There might be some business apps that you can't find on the Mac, but I think it's better to use the Uni's computers for those apps. Not the best option if you live at home, but if you live in residence, or close to Uni, then its cool. The Mac will be heaps better to use 99% of the time when you're NOT using Windows only software, so you'll be better off.

And I know this is a computer nerdy forum, so I may get blasted for this, but the only downside of not having a Windows laptop is that your new friends and fellow classmates can't give you bootlegged copies of software programs you think are cool or you may need. Happens all the time in HS, and will continue at University. If you're not much of a computer nerd, it won't matter though, as you'll be happy with a lot of the software that comes free on your Mac. ;) You'll have to pay for a lot of software now unless you meet some new, dodgy Mac using college students. :p

Use your Educational Discount at the Apple store, and get the Student Edition of MS Office for Macs. It's cheaper.;)

RAM? Get it from a 3rd party vendor, not Apple.

[20rogersc]

I'm going to college next year (not uni), and I bought an iBook in Dec/Jan with college in mind.. There's nothing to worry about, people will just envy you when you pull out your mac, when everyone else is on the college pcs ;) Don't worry about compatibility either, you'll find a way round it, but most things are covered for.

Oh and to the thread question, yes they are great for a college student.

::20ROGERSC::

[TDM21]

I didn't anything about buying Virtual PC. I just said I needed to use programs for some of my classes. If you can get by without using it then by all means try.

[iDM]

You may also have feared that you'll get a biased opinion asking a question like that on this website, as you should be skeptical anytime dropping big bucks on a new comp. A suggestion I would make and this would be the ONLY reason not to get a Mac for school is, check out and see what kinda Mac stuff your university offers. I don't mean they have to be Mac based, but it would be nice if perhaps they had price breaks for students on Mac software like office or maybe even they will give mac software for free.(My school has given every version of OSX released so far including Tiger. As well as Norton even though you don't need it. And Office for Mac 2004, X, and 2001.) If you are also wondering about "alternative" downloading sources then say download.com or versiontracker.com there is plenty of FTP sites, Bittorrent, and Acquistion all work great. Also it would be cool if they offered even some minor kind of Tech support, you will almost definitely never need it, as I have not with my Mac(I used them all the time trying to access new networks when I switched dorms from Frosh to Soph year.)but it would be cool if they could like help you set up say like your Mail program. Otherwise I have found my Mac to be completely Plug and Play in *every* ethernet plug I've used, and the wireless capabilities of these things is top notch easy! That is all I can think of. I wish I had entered school with a Mac I could of had a much better time with music, organizing the thousands and thousands of party, tailgating, and other stupid digital photos I have accumulated.

Edit: I did forget to mention one huge problem with Mac laptops. The amount of work you get done may drop significantly when you have programs like iPhoto, Garageband, iMovie and the ease of use and integration with Mail. How on earth can you be expected to write a paper, when you have programs like these at your disposal it's ridiculous, professors however will not fall for this.

Edit2x:Just thought of one more thing, I have heard that with programs like acquisition when downloading music users on Macs are able to get .mp3's that do not have the digital scratch sound that plagues so many .mp3's from programs on PC's like Morpheus, Napster(the old free one), Kazaa, Kazaa Lite. The PC programs have all either been shut down by most universities or only contain the digitally protected .mp3's. Now you must of course delete the .mp3's if you somehow manage to download them with Acquisition, because downloading .mp3's, even if they are high quality 128/bit and don't contain any of the digital scratch sounds that plague PC's are illegal. :cool: ;)

[ITASOR]

Telling us the college will probably help.

[Billicus]

I've found that my laptop has performed quite well at college, just be sure that you have a copy of Microsoft Office 2004 for the Mac and you'll be fine. :D Besides, whenever virus outbreaks occur at college, you can just have a snug little feeling that you don't have to worry about it... and trust me, virus outbreaks can be a pain in the rear end. I have also liked having in external mouse for my laptop when it's on my desk at school, in my case I have been using the Bluetooth mouse from Apple, but anything external that fits your needs... just saves from using the trackpad all the time. :p

[Gregory]

if you are in a business program, there could be some software that is PC only. Make sure that isn't the case before buying a mac!

The Mac is a Great Computer, even for business software, If you can't find a PC program for the Mac, Go with VPC 7 it is not that bad. Even though you don't get full speed of a Real PC computer, it will work fine for most business software.
Unless you are running games and 3D apps, you will be fine with VPC 7. I use it daily. Even on a 1ghz iBook, it runs good.

[Gregory]

I've found that my laptop has performed quite well at college, just be sure that you have a copy of Microsoft Office 2004 for the Mac and you'll be fine. :D Besides, whenever virus outbreaks occur at college, you can just have a snug little feeling that you don't have to worry about it... and trust me, virus outbreaks can be a pain in the rear end. I have also liked having in external mouse for my laptop when it's on my desk at school, in my case I have been using the Bluetooth mouse from Apple, but anything external that fits your needs... just saves from using the trackpad all the time. :p

If you don't want to pay for MS Office go get iworks from apple, unless you need excel the spreadsheet program. Pages and Keynote are awesome. . . Pages is Word and Keynote is Powerpoint. iworks only cost $79

[Jay42]

I have debated internally about this topic as well. I was in more or less the same position you seem to be. I decided on a Apple PowerBook in the end (although an iBook is also a great choice) and I am SO GLAD that I made this choice. The BEST all-around feature of Macs is the lack of computer related problems when you really don't need them. Example: You're writing a paper much later and rushing it much more than you should be. I have had way to many late-night scares with windows comps., but I have yet to experience something like this with my mac! In fact, I can barely remember the last time I had to do a "force shut-down" (holding the power button) with my mac, something that was a standard procedure on my windows laptop. Enjoy whatever you get!

[TDM21]

If you don't want to pay for MS Office go get iworks from apple, unless you need excel the spreadsheet program. Pages and Keynote are awesome. . . Pages is Word and Keynote is Powerpoint. iworks only cost $79

And if you don't want to pay for any office suite there is NeoOffice (http://www.neooffice.org/): the Mac version of OpenOffice.

[devilot]

If you don't want to pay for MS Office go get iworks from apple, unless you need excel the spreadsheet program. Pages and Keynote are awesome. . . Pages is Word and Keynote is Powerpoint. iworks only cost $79
Well, Apple is now offering MS office for Mac 2004 student/teacher edition (meaning a full 3 licenses!) for only $99. As a switcher myself, I feel too ingrained in Word and tried NeoOffice and some other apps but just couldn't get used to it after using Word my whole life-- so MS office was the way for me to go.

[PBGPowerbook]

college rules! dont worry about using a mac. also, it will make you MUCH more attractive to the same/opposite sex/whoever

[Sharewaredemon]

I feel bad posting without having read every post. But though you might not have anyone able to help you with your computer at school.

Rest assured that we at Macrumors are one of the best knowledge bases around. And we are always glad to help you answer any questions.

Just remember though, before you start a new thread, run a search to see if anyone else has had your problem.

[XNine]

(My school has given every version of OSX released so far including Tiger. As well as Norton even though you don't need it. And Office for Mac 2004, X, and 2001.) If you are also wondering about "alternative" downloading sources then say download.com or versiontracker.com there is plenty of FTP sites, Bittorrent, and Acquistion all work great. Also it would be cool if they offered even some minor kind of Tech support, you will almost definitely never need it, as I have not with my Mac(I used them all the time trying to access new networks when I switched dorms from Frosh to Soph year.)Now you must of course delete the .mp3's if you somehow manage to download them with Acquisition, because downloading .mp3's, even if they are high quality 128/bit and don't contain any of the digital scratch sounds that plague PC's are illegal. :cool: ;)

Accept Norton sucks. Their Firewall will constantly nag you, telling you someone from some other location is trying to break in when it's just your modem and Mac talking to each other. Norton will also remove your built in OS X firewall, and place invisible files in locations it shouldn't, so when you remove their firewall, your built in will not work anymore anyway. Norton Systemworks is also useless. Don't bother installing it. Instead use Disk Warrior or TechTool Pro 4.

Acquisition is made by a developer named Dave Watanabe. Do not support this guy. he is a total ass**** to all of his customers, constantly puts them down and ignores or deletes posts in his forum about his lousy customer service or questions he doesn't feel like answering. Instead, use Acqulite. Same thing, but it's FREE just like Watanabe's program should be (since he stole GPL code.) Macupdate.com, Versiontracker.com are your best friends for freeware/shareware.

[iMikeAllStar]

Go for it, mate. You wont regret it! Mac is better!

[iDM]

Accept Norton sucks. Their Firewall will constantly nag you, telling you someone from some other location is trying to break in when it's just your modem and Mac talking to each other. Norton will also remove your built in OS X firewall, and place invisible files in locations it shouldn't, so when you remove their firewall, your built in will not work anymore anyway. Norton Systemworks is also useless. Don't bother installing it. Instead use Disk Warrior or TechTool Pro 4.

Acquisition is made by a developer named Dave Watanabe. Do not support this guy. he is a total ass**** to all of his customers, constantly puts them down and ignores or deletes posts in his forum about his lousy customer service or questions he doesn't feel like answering. Instead, use Acqulite. Same thing, but it's FREE just like Watanabe's program should be (since he stole GPL code.) Macupdate.com, Versiontracker.com are your best friends for freeware/shareware.


"As well as Norton even though you don't need it." is what I thought I said, maybe i'm reading what i typed wrong though.

I'd love to try Acqu the Pay screen on Acquisition is it's most annoying feature, and I always wondered why a program that allows you to download things free often illegally should be paid for anyway, I'll def. get Acqulite when i get home

[bigandy]

Been there, done that. Started at uni, PC crashed the one time too many, and I got a PowerBook. never looked back. No problems with apps, if there's anything that needs VPC, use it, it WORKS and is GOOD, esp the new version 7. You just need a shedload of RAM and a decent processor. VPC even runs fine on my mac mini 1.25/512mb.

And i was a computing student. they told me not to, but i thought, why? they had no valid reason not to. and since i got mine working with the networks, i've written official tutorials for using VPNs etc with macs and my uni's network, and even done seminars on connecting student machines at the start of semester. which now consists of 45min for PCs and 2min at the start for macs - "if you've got a mac on Jaguar 10.2.3 or better, leave now. You don't have to do anything."

the pc users hate that!

:D

[iDM]

Been there, done that. Started at uni, PC crashed the one time too many, and I got a PowerBook. never looked back. No problems with apps, if there's anything that needs VPC, use it, it WORKS and is GOOD, esp the new version 7. You just need a shedload of RAM and a decent processor. VPC even runs fine on my mac mini 1.25/512mb.

And i was a computing student. they told me not to, but i thought, why? they had no valid reason not to. and since i got mine working with the networks, i've written official tutorials for using VPNs etc with macs and my uni's network, and even done seminars on connecting student machines at the start of semester. which now consists of 45min for PCs and 2min at the start for macs - "if you've got a mac on Jaguar 10.2.3 or better, leave now. You don't have to do anything."

the pc users hate that!

:D

Haha that is awesome about telling the Mac users to leave, so true, plug it in bam hop on safari and download using the crazy bandwidth you get on the University Network, or hop on iTunes and check out shared libraries over the network in your dorm! Listen to a whole album while on the net before the PC users are even done their tutorial!

[canadachris]

Have any of you used any CAD programs in Virtual PC or OS X? Is it usable (ie not extremely slow)? Im going into an engineering program and although I've had a mac throughout highschool I'm seriously doubting whether I'll be able to use it at university.

[TIGERmac]

I shared many of the same concerns as you do prior to purchasing my first Mac. I too am a business major, and have only once needed to run software that was Windows only. Ironically, it was Microsoft Journal Viewer (to print files my Prof. "wrote" on her tablet PC). My university has many, many public access labs, so I just used those PCs to download and print.

My friends are the ones who convinced me to buy a Mac, and I don't regret my decision one bit. Most major universities provide at least some free/discounted Mac software and support. We can purchase Office for Mac for ~$60 (buy it, you'll need it), and we get Norton Anti-virus for Mac for free (not that big of a deal, really).

Chances are the college you will be attending has a graphic design, music, or animation department that uses Macs. So getting support from the university's computing services department will likely not be that difficult (though you'll probably never need it).

If you really want a Mac and you determine it's right for you, I strongly suggest that you purchase one. Otherwise, you'll never be completely satisfied with the PC you purchased and will have "buyer's remorse" anytime you see someone on campus using their iBook/PowerBook.

One last thing, prior to getting my iMac, I had never used a Mac for any significant period of time. I had used various versions of Windows since elementary school, and knew my way around the OS quite well. It took me two days to become comfortable using my iMac. Within those two days, I had even become used to the close/minimize/maximize buttons being on the left of the window. Why? Because I've found the Mac OS to be amazingly intuitive.

Good luck with your decision!

[TIGERmac]

Have any of you used any CAD programs in Virtual PC or OS X? Is it usable (ie not extremely slow)? Im going into an engineering program and although I've had a mac throughout highschool I'm seriously doubting whether I'll be able to use it at university.

I would say it probably borders on unusable. I believe AutoCAD relies heavily on the graphics card, and Virtual PC does not use the graphics card. That combined with the fact that it only emulates at approximately 500 MHz would probably make it less than desirable to use.

The whole switch to Intel could really alleviate many of these problems that prevent students from purchasing a Mac. I really believe it could boost Mac sales substantially (assuming someone can create necessary drives, etc. for loading Windows).

[bodeh6]

For the regular college kid like myself, a Mac is the perfect tool for school. The only program I need to buy is MS Office Professional with VPC 7 from my school bookstore for $63. Thats it. I already have Photoshop Elements 2.0 that I can use for lite photo editting and internet and music is provided by Safari and iTunes. I don't need anything else. Connecting to the wired or wireless network is no problem so I should be all set.

[gamestriker]

Nobody has mentioned GuestPC. Its another PC emulater that is a nice alternative for the overpriced VPC7. The performance may not be up to par with VPC, but its fast enough to do stuff like Office and such (and VPC also hasn't been updated to have proper/official Tiger support I don't think). And its half the price of VPC7, at only $70.

Its just a nice alternative if you're really budget conscious.

[matticus008]

Although I'd like to say that a Mac would be an excellent choice and that VPC can fill the gaps where they pop up, it's just not true. If you're going into business and it turns out that you need to work with Microsoft Access a lot, you'll need a PC. VirtualPC running complex Access instructions on large databases gives awful performance. You might also find that you have certain financial software that you need, and much of it will not be Mac-friendly. There's also the issue of being the odd man out--if you need help with something and you're using the Mac version, most of your classmates won't be of much use. Certain fundamental differences between Mac and PC versions, even of the exact same software, can pose unique problems.

However, if you aren't going to require special software or if you want the inconvenience of having to hike to a PC lab and wait in line when you're trying to do work, then by all means, get the Mac.

They are elegant, competent, and versatile machines, but they have a way to go before they can really stand up in a business environment.

[clarinettie]

Also check out your library or student center for software. I work at the front desk at my student center, which means everyday I sell Tiger for $15 and the Office suite+Virtual PC together for $20. We at one point had a system at the library where you could check them out for free to install on your personal computer, provided you signed the Microsoft paperwork saying you would only use them for school purposes. or something. Don't spend money unnecessarily, when these options may be at your fingertips!

Also, to calm some of your fears... Remember that any university you go to will be swarming with free computer labs. Some will probably be open 24 hours, and one may actually be in your own dorm building. At my school (Ohio University), the school provides one PC and one printer per single or double dorm room, and 2 PCs and 2 printers per triple or quad. These are relatively new PCs (they upgraded them between my freshman and sophomore years) and are more than adequate for normal use by college students. We also had a 20-computer lab in the basement of my dorm complete with scanners and the like, which was open til 1 or 2. Plus we have a floor of the library that is for reference and computing, and not only has about 100 computers available, but also has laptops you can check out while you're in the library. This floor is open 24 hours Sunday-Thursday. I guess my point is this... buy the computer you want. At college you will have so many computers available to you that if there is one arcane piece of software you need for one class, chances are you can do that work somewhere else. OU is a good school, but doesn't have a huge budget. If you're going to a better funded school, you might even have more access to them than I do (hard to imagine!).

[Toppa G's]

If you're going into business and it turns out that you need to work with Microsoft Access a lot, you'll need a PC. VirtualPC running complex Access instructions on large databases gives awful performance. You might also find that you have certain financial software that you need, and much of it will not be Mac-friendly.

Depending on the school, many undergrad programs don't use Access nor any financial software...for example, I am a double major with an iBook (my second major is business) and since the classes are really just "learn the basic idea" classes, I've only had to use Excel, which is a fantastic application to know and use anyway for many finance-related problems and classes :D

Anyway, unless you know you'll have multiple advanced classes where oddball software is necessary, which is unlikely, a Mac will work fine. Good luck!

[QCassidy352]

The Mac is a Great Computer, even for business software, If you can't find a PC program for the Mac, Go with VPC 7 it is not that bad. Even though you don't get full speed of a Real PC computer, it will work fine for most business software.
Unless you are running games and 3D apps, you will be fine with VPC 7. I use it daily. Even on a 1ghz iBook, it runs good.

I strongly disagree with this. I love macs as much as anyone here, but if you have to use PC-only software on a regular basis, VPC is NOT the way to go. It's very slow and annoying as hell to deal with. There are times when a PC is the right way to go.

[slidingjon]

I used macs all through school. I am going back in a month to do a masters, again, on a mac.

I am reminded of the song "anything you can do, I can do better" :cool:

Plus, you'll look cooler than everyone with thier brand new hp/compaq. :)

[IllTakeAnApple]

with ms office or iwork if i type up on word and burn it on a disk will my teacher most likely using a pc be able to read what i had typed. Im only asking this because this is probably my only fear about getting mac. I know that i could open anything that he/she might give me with a mac i wasnt sure about that other way around. note: one time i typed up something on my PC and when my teacher tried to open it she saw alien writting (as she called it). So even compatibility there was confusing.

Everything about mac seems awesome and the people here on the forums really have been supportive during my decision process.

thanks in advance

[mduser63]

I've never had any problems with teachers (or anyone else) with PCs being able to open Office documents created on a Mac. It works just fine.

I don't know what school you're going to, but at the university I go to, Macs are very common. Probably around 25% of the computers I see students with in the library are Macs. The public computer labs are about 50% Mac, all the "internet terminals" are Macs (iMac G4s), the graphic design and video labs are all Mac, the math labs are half Mac, and even the engineering labs have a few Macs in each lab. The schools IT support desk also has a Mac support staff to help students with problems connecting to wireless networks, etc. I'm sure not all universities are the same way, but at least at ours, Macs are very well supported.

[TDM21]

The schools IT support desk also has a Mac support staff to help students with problems connecting to wireless networks, etc. I'm sure not all universities are the same way, but at least at ours, Macs are very well supported.

Heheheh, that is going to be me this fall: the guy who has to solve all the problems. :( The first week is going to be killer.