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Can I buy a MacBook Pro?

M

makaruni

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 6, 2013
1
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I'm looking to buy a Macbook Pro before I start my freshman year of college as an Industrial Engineer. I was wondering if it makes sense to buy a Macbook or just stick with a PC because I've heard that there are numerous programs that only run on windows. My preference is to buy a Mac but if I have to I'll just have to go with a PC. I understand that most of you will say buy a Mac but I want tpmake sure I'm making the right choice before I spend all this money.

Thanks
 
makaruni said:
I'm looking to buy a Macbook Pro before I start my freshman year of college as an Industrial Engineer. I was wondering if it makes sense to buy a Macbook or just stick with a PC because I've heard that there are numerous programs that only run on windows. My preference is to buy a Mac but if I have to I'll just have to go with a PC. I understand that most of you will say buy a Mac but I want tpmake sure I'm making the right choice before I spend all this money.

Thanks
Click to expand...

If software is a setback, then I would recommend a PC. You can use Windows in Bootcamp, but what's the point of paying so much money for an OS X experience by using Windows most of the time.

If you like the quality of the device materials, then get the Mac, otherwise stick to PC.
 
You should get what best suits your needs. If programs that run on Windows are what you'll need, then maybe a PC is the way to go.

However, you can also run Windows on the Mac in either a virtual machine such as Parallels or VMware. Additionally you can put Windows into BootCamp and load either OS X or Windows as needed.
 
Get the computer that fits your needs. Are you going to be using Windows most of the time? You can install Windows on your Mac, but if that is going to end up being the OS you use the most then you might as well get a Windows computer.
 
Most Windows apps have Mac equivalents and the vast majority of files are fully compatible between both platforms. For those few Windows apps with no Mac equivalent, there are ways to run such apps on your Mac.

To run Windows apps on your Mac, you need to install Windows via Boot Camp or use Parallels or VMware Fusion. If you don't have a Windows license, you can use CrossOver to run some applications. Not all Windows apps are compatible with CrossOver. Check their site for compatible apps. For more information about running Windows on your Mac, check out the Windows, Linux & other on the Mac forum.
 
It really does come down to the software that you'll be using. A friend of mine used Macs for the everyday experience but ended up building a PC with me so that he could run Maya for animation.

Chances are you'll be using AutoCAD as the primary software to do your designs in and so you should be fine with a Mac.
 
Your best bet is to ask a faculty member in your school's engineering department. A knowledgeable member will know exactly what programs you'll be using for your major. ;)
 
FrankB1191 said:
Your best bet is to ask a faculty member in your school's engineering department. A knowledgeable member will know exactly what programs you'll be using for your major. ;)
Click to expand...

In addition to the great advice quoted, you may also be able to find out via the school's website if they have any restrictions in your program regarding software. Yes, you can buy Windows and run both OSX and Windows, but you'd have to know if that's a practical thing for your needs or not.
 
Freshman Mac Pro Question

Yes you can

Most programs run on both but for few that still cannot, there are numerous ways to get an apple to operate in a Windows environment if had to, but typically now there is the universal mode of programs that works with all formats for the most part. I haven't run into that since late 90's personally , but back then it was common.

Apples are great
But if just getting normal non retina great, otherwise many things consider, and maybe new Air also an option depending on connections needed, and processing power usage.
 
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