MBP 13" for college

[FluJunkie]

matlab is single threaded no?

No. It's single-threaded if you write your code in the most straightforward, naive way possible. But its possible to write parallel code, especially if your program involves a wicked number of "For" loops.

Beyond that, if it *is* single thread, there's more incentive to invest in the highest clock speed for single threaded firepower. That's more of a Mac Pro type discussion, where you have an alternative, but *shrug*.

You can't overstate the following:

CS IS NOT A CPU intensive major! Most of your programs will compile extremely fast! Probably a netbook is sufficient!

Physics can be.

What if he wants to do undergraduate research, with an eye toward getting into grad school? Some of the projects I've given undergrads are absolutely CPU intensive. Especially if we're talking about undergraduate-CS level quality in the algorithms you use.

 

[dukebound85]

No. It's single-threaded if you write your code in the most straightforward, naive way possible. But its possible to write parallel code, especially if your program involves a wicked number of "For" loops.

Beyond that, if it *is* single thread, there's more incentive to invest in the highest clock speed for single threaded firepower. That's more of a Mac Pro type discussion, where you have an alternative, but *shrug*.

Do you think as a newcomer in college, he will write in parallel (which I didn't know was an option in matlab......care to elaborate? as I would love to learn how)

 

[crush500]

There are definitely some very CPU intensive programs and simulations that are used in both CS and Physics majors but I won't be expected to have to run them on my own personal computer. I spoke with professors in both the CS and Physics department and they both said computer labs are used for all upper level classes. The labs are open practically 24 hours a day so I won't have to worry about getting a super machine to run them. I will have to run windows through bootcamp, however. A couple of the CS courses I'm going to be taking require you to use Microsoft XNA Game Studio and other Windows only software. No getting around that one. I'm also probably going to wipe my current laptop free of Windows Vista and run Unix on it. I can get some use out of that next year.

Unfortunately I have no Apple Stores anywhere around me (closest one is 2.5 hours away) and no stores around me that sell Mac products. So today I decided to take a road trip and travelled to the nearest Best Buy around me to check out the Macbook Pro. I was impressed greatly by the aluminium unibody case. It looked beautiful and felt like it could take a beating. It was tough. I've never really used Mac OS before so I was really just playing around with it today. I did like how simple the OS felt. The trackpad was really awkward at first. It was nothing like the trackpad on my current Compaq laptop. In fact, it made my current laptop look and feel very cheap even though I dropped some serious money on this thing. Overall I was really impressed with the Macbook Pro. I'm settled on the 13 inch. 15 inch wasn't too bad but I don't think the extra money is worth it. The 13 inch is all I need. 17 inch just didn't seem worth the money. It would be great for a desktop replacement but for a college student it would be completely wrong.

I was actually kind of surprised with the weight of the Macbook Pro. I thought it would be a tad bit lighter but it is still much lighter than my current 16" laptop. The Macbook Air really impressed me today. I knew it was small but the size of it was really surprising. If it wasn't for the fact that I'll have to run Windows with boot camp I'd probably go for the MBA but I feel the MBP will be better suited for my needs. I'm definitely going to be saving up for the next few years with the goal of getting a MBA. I'd love to have one just for around the house and for an occasional trip to Starbucks.

The iMac was also pretty awesome. The size of the 27 inch screen was very impressive. Once again, I knew the 27 inch was big but how truly big it actually was surprised me. Whenever my desktop craps out I could see myself going with the iMac. The quality of the Macs impressed me greatly. I see myself as someone who switches to Mac and doesn't ever look back. All the machines looked great. And with Apples reputation for high quality and long lasting products I don't see myself being disappointed. Hell, I'd be happy just to have a computer that lasts longer than two years. Tired of all my PCs crapping out on me after one year.

 

[FluJunkie]

Do you think as a newcomer in college, he will write in parallel (which I didn't know was an option in matlab......care to elaborate? as I would love to learn how)

As a *newcomer*? No - but I always think one should evaluate what one will be doing, and it's not unlikely as a junior or senior he might be, and it would be nice if he has a computer to handle it.

MathWorks has pretty extensive documentation: http://www.mathworks.com/products/parallel-computing/

There are definitely some very CPU intensive programs and simulations that are used in both CS and Physics majors but I won't be expected to have to run them on my own personal computer. I spoke with professors in both the CS and Physics department and they both said computer labs are used for all upper level classes. The labs are open practically 24 hours a day so I won't have to worry about getting a super machine to run them.

When it comes down to it, you're not buying a super-machine anyway Its mostly an argument that the fairly modest price bump for a Macbook Pro brings with it increased firepower that it's likely you will end up using.

If for no other reason, than heading to the lab every time something needs doing is at times quite tiresome, and its nice to have the ability to code up a proof of concept code, less iterations or whatever in bed.

The trackpad was really awkward at first. It was nothing like the trackpad on my current Compaq laptop. In fact, it made my current laptop look and feel very cheap even though I dropped some serious money on this thing.

Apple trackpads are indeed a thing of beauty.