Thinking of buying a mac

[325is_e30]

I am looking into buying a mac notebook. I recently got an hp 17" and i dont like it. Just wondering if there are any engineers here that have used a mac, as far as software goes. (Virtual Windows??) Also does anyone know if there will be a new model in the near future? should I wait or buy the G4. I would probably be buying an iBook. Do they give discounts on ipods when buying their computers? Thanks for input!

[DanGillan]

i have a 12" powerbook g4 with 512 ram, dvd burner, etc. and i couldnt be happier. before this i was always a PC guy

[hamann318is]

I was really into PCs, but now I have 2 Macs. They're really decent now.

[KenC]

I've been a PC guy since 3.1 and recently purchased a 12" Powerbook. I've never been happier with a computer purchase. OS X is very easy to learn and use, and is very stable. I also like the simplicity of it; iTunes for music and cd burning, iPhoto for pictures, etc.

For the price, the 12" Powerbook beats the shit out of any other compact notebooks. I used my student discount and got mine with 768mb of ram, 100 gig HD, DVD Burner, built in wireless and bluetooth for $1500.

I've also used the iMacs extensively and the LCDs on them are really nice.

[bwanac]

What type of Engineering Programs are you planning on running?

They will run damn slow if you try and run them on a Mac through Virtual PC.
Macs are awesome, I have one. Basically same specs as Dans but desktop. But if you need to run Engineering aps on your own a Windows machine is better. I just use the computer labs when I need to run demanding software.

[permit]

Yeah, definitely have a student buy the computer for you, saves you enough to make it worth it. Mac Minis are awesome if you already have keyboard and monitor from a PC...not as badass as a G5 tower or iMac, but compact and cheap.

[KenC]

Yeah, definitely have a student buy the computer for you, saves you enough to make it worth it.

Word. I saved $250 on my Powerbook.

If you're doing engineering programs that are PC only, you'll probably want to stick with a PC. As mentioned above, they'll run much slower than a PC through the Virtual PC program.

[325is_e30]

I was thinking about getting the iBook 14" and upgrading to 1gb ram. I am a student, so I can get the discount. How much slower would you say it will run with virtual program? I could always go to computer lab to do the hw, as mentioned above. I am currently using AutoCAD, but will be using Inventor, etc.

[Beej '86 325es]

Like the guys above said, if you need engineering programs, you're better off with a PC. I believe Inventor is a 3d design program like solidworks, catia, or Pro-e no? Graphic intensive programs like that will run dirt slow through Virtual PC. AutoCAD would probably be ok though.

I'm an engineer as well, and would love to be able to use those SolidWorks and AutoCAD at home, but the costs outweigh the benefits to me. I'd rather have a mac and not be able to run them, than use a PC.

[bwanac]

Yes... demanding programs like 3d design will run damn slow.

Plus using the lab... the computers are always nice and quick and free.

[Nathan]

I know mac has to have some kind of 3d software like that stuff. There is probably a format that is interchangable, but if there isn't then there is no way most users would be patient enough to run an intensive program like that in virtual pc. I love my Macs. I was a PC guy untill last march, and I will never go back. I will always own a Mac.

[Digitalwave]

12" Powerbooks are by far the best laptops I've ever used... and I am a PC guy.

[PeterCip]

Like the guys above said, if you need engineering programs, you're better off with a PC. I believe Inventor is a 3d design program like solidworks, catia, or Pro-e no? Graphic intensive programs like that will run dirt slow through Virtual PC. AutoCAD would probably be ok though.

I'm an engineer as well, and would love to be able to use those SolidWorks and AutoCAD at home, but the costs outweigh the benefits to me. I'd rather have a mac and not be able to run them, than use a PC.

Inventor is garabage.
Solidworks for the win...and i work at PTC

you're shit out of luck with modeling on a mac.