Wow, taken quite literally...my slide rule comment. If you don't see the 'benefit' to using a rMBP today in Engineering classes, projects, etc...vs using a slide rule in the 60's, sorry man--I guess it wasn't meant for ya
Autodesk, and specifically AutoCad FINALLY released Mac software (again) last year---and from those I've spoken to, those using ONLY the PC version for the past decade (My youngest brother has been a civil engineer for 10 years), the Mac version is VERY good---and certainly not in perpetual 'beta'. It's definitely a BIG re-write for OSx---and comes with some excellent peripherals including iPhone and iPad support for showing off projects. Are there bugs to work out? I'm sure!! But your girlfriend is definitely in the minority here...just check Autodesk's Mac forums. Reviews--maybe even talk with an engineering firm or two that have a Mac geek or two on staff. (As mentioned, my brother earlier definitely prefers Mac gear).
However---there IS a caveat, it ONLY runs well and efficiently on up to date hardware (on OSx)...how old was/is your girlfriend's Mac she was attempting to run it on? Was she running it on a 2007 MacBook Core2Duo or a 2010 MacPro 12 core? There is a LOT of room in the middle, of course. But MOST engineering firms invest in decent hardware to run their software (Typically the software costs even more than the hardware in these situations). Just curious??
I'm not sure where your pessimism stems from---but if you can't see the benefit of 1:1 pixel display in BOTH photography and design software, I'm not sure anyone can educate you. And I do believe from my post I conveyed my back of mind concerns shared by others with the version 1.0 of the rMBP. That said---coupled with AppleCare and 3 years of bumper to bumper coverage gets THIS engineering student through most of his college degree---and those of us that frequent these forums tend to update at least every three years! I'm thinking Adobe and Autodesk have NOTHING to lose by updating their software yet everything to gain...both have updated their new iPad Retina software...why not their OSX offerings? High resolution monitors aren't ONLY being offered by Apple...And in my opinion, other than those of us that do a LOT of reading (which in engineering school---PDF's are in abundance!)---the other benefactors of high resolution IS design, photography and motion.
Again---not sure where your pessimism stems from, but I'm a glass is half full type of dork. Sorry man...but my enthusiasm for this product should be obvious. Other than being envious that he/she IS able to buy it and YOU are not, I'm not sure why you would talk down this computer...again, it's an absolute STUD! This computer is phenomenal...and the software WILL come along for the ride, just watch
J
Autodesk, and specifically AutoCad FINALLY released Mac software (again) last year---and from those I've spoken to, those using ONLY the PC version for the past decade (My youngest brother has been a civil engineer for 10 years), the Mac version is VERY good---and certainly not in perpetual 'beta'. It's definitely a BIG re-write for OSx---and comes with some excellent peripherals including iPhone and iPad support for showing off projects. Are there bugs to work out? I'm sure!! But your girlfriend is definitely in the minority here...just check Autodesk's Mac forums. Reviews--maybe even talk with an engineering firm or two that have a Mac geek or two on staff. (As mentioned, my brother earlier definitely prefers Mac gear).
However---there IS a caveat, it ONLY runs well and efficiently on up to date hardware (on OSx)...how old was/is your girlfriend's Mac she was attempting to run it on? Was she running it on a 2007 MacBook Core2Duo or a 2010 MacPro 12 core? There is a LOT of room in the middle, of course. But MOST engineering firms invest in decent hardware to run their software (Typically the software costs even more than the hardware in these situations). Just curious??
I'm not sure where your pessimism stems from---but if you can't see the benefit of 1:1 pixel display in BOTH photography and design software, I'm not sure anyone can educate you. And I do believe from my post I conveyed my back of mind concerns shared by others with the version 1.0 of the rMBP. That said---coupled with AppleCare and 3 years of bumper to bumper coverage gets THIS engineering student through most of his college degree---and those of us that frequent these forums tend to update at least every three years! I'm thinking Adobe and Autodesk have NOTHING to lose by updating their software yet everything to gain...both have updated their new iPad Retina software...why not their OSX offerings? High resolution monitors aren't ONLY being offered by Apple...And in my opinion, other than those of us that do a LOT of reading (which in engineering school---PDF's are in abundance!)---the other benefactors of high resolution IS design, photography and motion.
Again---not sure where your pessimism stems from, but I'm a glass is half full type of dork. Sorry man...but my enthusiasm for this product should be obvious. Other than being envious that he/she IS able to buy it and YOU are not, I'm not sure why you would talk down this computer...again, it's an absolute STUD! This computer is phenomenal...and the software WILL come along for the ride, just watch
J