Which Mac for Mechanical Engineering?

If price isn't an option and he needs the most power, then the 15 rMBP is the way to go. There really isn't much difference in power between the Air and 13 rMBP in performing most tasks.

Do you have any idea of what types of things he will be doing on the machine?

 

For a college student, portability is going to be a concern. The Air is going to beat any other Mac in this respect.

A mechanical engineering student is probably going to need more processing power though. So the 15" model with the quad core i7 may be the way to go.

 

The best Mac if money is not an option I would recommend

- 2.6GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz
- 16GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
- 1TB PCIe-based Flash Storage
- Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
- Final Cut Pro X
- AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro - Auto-enroll
- Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
- Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter
- Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter
- Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter
- Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter
- Epson Expression Premium XP-610 AirPrint Printer

Basically -http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=ME294LL/A&step=config

Grand Total of $4,292.94

 

Check this thread, recent and similar topic:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=19280342

Regarding hovscorpion12's recommendations:
Pass on FCP - I don't know a single ME that uses that app, and I've been an engineer for 21 years (and know dozens of MEs). Pass on the Firewire adapter - very few peripherals in today's market use FW. Pass on the VGA adapter, unless you're using an old TV for a monitor. Pass on the DVI Adapter and Dual-Link DVI Adapter. Pass on any Epson printer - they use built-in print heads, which are useless when the heads dry out and the printer will need to be replaced; get a good B&W laser printer - I've got a workhorse Samsung laser printer and a cheap Canon inkjet, and use a pro printer for important stuff (your friend will use the lab printers). And, maybe pass on the Gigabit Ethernet Adapter - I have one and need it about 3-4 times a year to connect to a router to troubleshoot it.

I have that same Mac that hovscorpion12 spec'd out, and bought it on Apple's refurb store for $2800 - there, I just reduced the cost about $1300... which buys a lot of beer and ramen.

 

I would suggest the 13pro with 16gb ram.

Your probably going to use Autocad or a similar program and a 13 looks to be plenty fine for most work. The 16gb will allow headroom to run a windows OS (parallels) for those programs where an Apple version is not available or practical.

You'll spend 80% of your studies doing other stuff rather than doing cool 3d rendering and cad work. The school will have a computer lab if you need it. Your 13pro will be more than what you need to survive college. When you graduate, grab a fully loaded 15!

Your going to appreciate the low weight and size as you run round campus.

Suggest to your friend to do a minor in civil or mining or petroleum engineering..........opens up a world of opportunity........says the mining engineer