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computer science
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The 13" should be fine. You have a nice GPU, great performance vs. power consumption, and a speedy processor. A Core i5/i7 would last longer but cost more. I personally have a 15" MBP and will stick with this machine for atleast my senior high school year and 1-2 years of college (I'm most likely going to be a CS/EE/CE major).
Check with your university to see if your classes are Mac- or PC-centric. They will know the better choice for your studies.
If it's a toss-up, buying a Mac will allow you to run PC applications, but a PC will not (legally, at best; reliably, at worst) run Mac applications.
I highly recommend Parallels for running Windows (and Linux) in a window on a Mac. Its integration is outstanding, and game performance in Windows is quite usable.
-Aaron-
If it's a toss-up, buying a Mac will allow you to run PC applications, but a PC will not (legally, at best; reliably, at worst) run Mac applications.
I highly recommend Parallels for running Windows (and Linux) in a window on a Mac. Its integration is outstanding, and game performance in Windows is quite usable.
-Aaron-
The computer itself will easily handle what you listed. The screen resolution, however, might be the limiting factor. I would highly recommend getting the 15" MacBook Pro. Remember to get your educational discounts!
-Aaron-
PS: This is not 4chan; you do not have to "bump" your posts.
Really?!?! I swear I was on 4chan when i posted this
On a more serious not, screen resolution isn't really an issue. My main focus is just performance.
LOL! Not that I would know anything about 4chan...Really?!?! I swear I was on 4chan when i posted this
Anyway, screen resolution WILL be more of an issue than you think, especially when using XCode or Visual Studio, especially if using Parallels or another application. Those applications/development environments make lots of pretty windows and/or paned windows. You will definitely appreciate the extra screen space.
-Aaron-
If your main concern is performance you can always upgrade, as prices drop, to a SSD drive and 8GB ram to get a performance boost.
LOL! Not that I would know anything about 4chan...
Anyway, screen resolution WILL be more of an issue than you think, especially when using XCode or Visual Studio, especially if using Parallels or another application. Those applications/development environments make lots of pretty windows and/or paned windows. You will definitely appreciate the extra screen space.
-Aaron-
Well screen size would be remedied with an external. So is the late 2009 13" with the 9400m going to really be able to handle it?
and I know nothing of 4chan either
Well screen size would be remedied with an external. So is the late 2009 13" with the 9400m going to really be able to handle it?
and I know nothing of 4chan either
Yes. I am a professional developer and use that very computer.
LOL! Not that I would know anything about 4chan...
Anyway, screen resolution WILL be more of an issue than you think, especially when using XCode or Visual Studio, especially if using Parallels or another application. Those applications/development environments make lots of pretty windows and/or paned windows. You will definitely appreciate the extra screen space.
-Aaron-
But you have the Mac Pro
While screen resolution would be an issue if you're using XCode or Visual Studio.... when you're doing Comp Sci at University, you're not going to need those IDE's.
You'll be in either the vim or emacs camps
If you ever end up doing a course that needs Java, you'll use Eclipse or IntelliJ or Netbeans (depending on what the lecturer wants or what you like). And they don't need screen realestate.
Of course, this is assuming your University actually tries to teach you how to use *nix tools.
Plus, given that they would usually aim to try teach you actually Computer Science and not how to use an IDE, they would give assignments/projects that are doable without an IDE. Mainly so it makes submission easier and so they can give assignment stub files and specifications that are uniform between students.
You'll be in either the vim or emacs camps
If you ever end up doing a course that needs Java, you'll use Eclipse or IntelliJ or Netbeans (depending on what the lecturer wants or what you like). And they don't need screen realestate.
Of course, this is assuming your University actually tries to teach you how to use *nix tools.
Plus, given that they would usually aim to try teach you actually Computer Science and not how to use an IDE, they would give assignments/projects that are doable without an IDE. Mainly so it makes submission easier and so they can give assignment stub files and specifications that are uniform between students.
word to the wise, there are no hot girls in computer science!
Word to the wise, I already have that covered.
get the newer one with 8gb ram. if your going to virtualize windows and linux then it will help.