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Is a Mac really that great for a new college student?
- Thread starter NMynarich
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Onizuka said:
"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
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!
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!
bigandy said: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!
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!
CAD and Virtual PC
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.
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 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!
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!
canadachris said:
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).
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.
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.
Its just a nice alternative if you're really budget conscious.
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.
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.
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!).
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!).
matticus008 said:
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
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!
Gregory said:
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.
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"
Plus, you'll look cooler than everyone with thier brand new hp/compaq.
I am reminded of the song "anything you can do, I can do better"
Plus, you'll look cooler than everyone with thier brand new hp/compaq.
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
Everything about mac seems awesome and the people here on the forums really have been supportive during my decision process.
thanks in advance
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.
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.
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