Mac vs PC for Computer Science

[interrobang]

Yes, you absolutely should learn about Unix and Linux. You also should learn about Windows if you want to make money and I can't think of a better way than buying a non-Apple product.

Strongly disagree. Strongly disagree.

You should not be learning about Windows. You should not be learning about Linux, or Unix, either. You should be learning about computing, of which the various operating systems combined form a fairly minor part.

You can do this, quite effectively, using any hardware you like. And using hardware that can (legally) run a variety of operating systems is in fact a great advantage.

 

[cytomatrix]

If you have to ask don't get a mac. You will regret it. If you care about specs but don't mind what OS/Software you use, get a PC. If you don't care about specs and want OS X, get a mac. As a student you get lots of free software from microsoft.

 

[EthanMiller]

Hello, speaking from a viewpoint that doesn't seem to be represented yet on this thread. I'm a CS student, and right now, I have "three" computers (Two physical boxes). There's a 17" HP dual booting Linux and Win7, and a 13" MacBook Air. I've also got an external monitor that can be hooked up to either system.

What do I use for programming? The Air.

Why? After all, it's a lightweight.

Actually, it's partly because it's a lightweight. It is wherever I may be. Doesn't affect the 15" MBP purchase much there, but the MBP will still be the more portable machine, and that's worth it's weight in gold. (Er... You know what I mean)

Developing on it is great. For small things, all of the toolkits are right there on the machine - gcc, make, vim, the whole shebang. Xcode can be a bit confusing at first, but the simple stuff can be done pretty easily in it, and it's got expansive documentation. Xcode uses the standard toolkit, so anything that compiles in Xcode can be done from the terminal.

The Mac OS is also a step up from Windows - Things like versions, if you're using a text editor that support it, are a lifesaver. Versions is sort of a local file backup, so at any time you can look at old versions of the file, restore them, or copy and paste out of them. Window management is better on the Mac, too. Virtual desktops are a lifesaver, and the full screen mode of Xcode is extremely useful. If you've never used virtuals before, you're in for a treat.

I use the Linux side of the 17" to program sometimes, too, but mostly to check cross platform compatibility. Linux is a great OS in my opinion, and if the machine were smaller, I'd use it more. The Windows side hasn't been on in months.

TL;DR: I use a Mac and a PC in CS. The Mac gets more use, for lots of reasons (detailed above)

 

[OrangeCougar]

Check with your school

I graduated with a degree in CS 10+ years ago, but I'm going back to school part time to complete my Masters. I would definitely check with your school. Mine is a member of MSDNAA and most programming classes I've taken are more Windows centric, use Visual Studio for IDE, or Sql Server for databases. I would be very surprised if your school is a member and doesn't heavily use MS products.

The other thing to remember here is that you'll be using your computer for a lot more than just CS classes. You'll have to use other applications for other classes (MS Office, Minitab for statistics, etc). If you're on Mac, you need to have a plan for dealing with those.

I'm using a MBP just fine in my program. I have VMware Fusion for Windows only type stuff like Visual Studio or Minitab. I use the Mac version of MS Office 2011 for papers, presentations, etc. It's worked out great for me. There are lots of Macs in school right now - you'll fit right in.

 

[chrismacguy]

That's the problem with CS degrees if you actually want to make money. So you need to make a decision. Do you want to be an elitist Computer Scientist (note the caps) who only uses Macs and Linux to develop, or do you want to make money.

If you get a financial sector job in NYC you can expect to earn a significant premium (at least 20%) over what you would earn in other industries. However you can also expect that they will value your Windows .NET knowledge significantly.

Now of course people will cite the relatively rare case of some person or other who started their own company and made millions and never worried about Windows. If you are actually in the 0.01% of people who can do that then my advice is not for you. Still if you are way up there, WTH are you doing asking people which computer to buy?! So lets ignore the fanciful dreaming and get back to reality.

What you learn about Computer Science has little to do with the OS you are using. What you will learn about skills that employers will pay money for has a great deal to do with the OS. Yes, you absolutely should learn about Unix and Linux. You also should learn about Windows if you want to make money and I can't think of a better way than buying a non-Apple product.

For what it's worth, I would not pick an Alienware computer of any sort. IMO they are overpriced.

The decision is yours. Good luck.

What a lot of utter codswallop. Any good CS program will give you the skills to pickup whatever language your employer would like you to use and on whatever platform they choose. What computer you personally have makes no odds really. A Mac gives you the massive advantage of having access to all the UNIX tools that most Computer Scientists use. as well as access to Windows. (I run Visual Studio 2010 on my MacBook Air no problem in VirtualBox).

Also your career advice is misguiding. Any company who hires straight from college (This includes financial services companies) is not going to be that interested in what platform you use for your personal computer, or even really care about the languages you've used to date, they just care that you have the skills to pickup whatever their using without difficulty. (No company expects a college hire to be schooled in the technologies they use necessarily, they just expect them to have experienced a wide variety of programming languages. .NET is certainly not a requirement by any means, in fact I think I may've seen 1 or 2 Jobs where .NET was a requirement, and they were not at any prestigious organizations, or even major ones, and advising that people should focus on .NET at the expense of others to make money is quite frankly the worst possible kind of advice. .NET might be widely used, but anyone who has just programmed managed languages will not be as adaptable as someone who has seen a wide variety of things, which is what any good CS program will show you)

 

[vitzr]

I would probably get a PC to start this. Okay so a lot of people use Mac.. But in the business world and home, a lot of people use PC. If you are getting a computer science degree you would probably want the PC knowledge of hardware and software. Upgrading, managing your bios and all the intricate settings, as well as more about how the hardware works. Unless you can plunk down money for a Mac Pro, you won't have this real world knowledge of PC's. Even then the Mac Pro isn't a PC.

There's knowledge you need on the PC side of things, integral to your degree. You can learn a great deal about how hardware works in computers by getting a PC. I would go that route. You can learn a lot about Windows on a Mac but it still isn't a true PC. Consider hackintoshing a desktop. That will also teach you a grip about how OSX works.

That is just my opinion. If I was starting a computer science degree at this point I would want to know about the headaches on the PC side and resolutions before going into OSX.

This is extremely good advice.

The computer I would highly suggest, that is the time tested premier PC laptop is a Lenovo, ThinkPad T520. This is a high quality laptop, with what is widely accepted as the best keyboard, and components of any. Frequently on sale, you'll save money and enjoy stellar ergonomics and reliability. They are sold primarily online at Lenovo.com

While at MIT studying for my dual masters in computer science & electrical engineering, I used a ThinkPad T series. It served me very well. Now working in a cross platform environment I use both a ThinkPad and my favorite, a new hi-res, anti-glare, MacBook Pro. A Mac user for years, I'd still suggest a ThinkPad for your school work. They also offer discounts through school so check there as well.

Good Luck