Varsity Laptop (PC vs Mac)

Soprono

Soprono

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Hey Guys

well going to varsity next year and obviously i will not get a laptop now but looking at my options for when i do decide to get one, im basically in a rut between Mac And PC laptops (Windows), i really like the fact that mac (more specific the Mac Book Air, love its design and class it carries) are reliable laptops with awesome media capabilities while also doing office tools for docs and what ever else is need for school, but then in another way can the macs handle apps like DC++ hubs, does it support laptop docks (never seen any for macs) ??...and the station will not be used for gaming

advice on this would be nice, the only factor i love about the mac air's is there design, quality, sleekness and they seem to work around, but first hand feedback would be awesome, thanks in advance
 
Before I even say pc or mac... what you going to study?
and yes it does make a difference on what to get.
 
Suppose putting it in that fact when u asked what I'm studying it makes sense specially if using specified applications and what not...but hey that's what the community is here for help and assistance...thank u
 
You can run windows on a mac, its not about the applications more about the personality :)
 
Haha...suppose...but do admit mac's are awesome sleek laptops haha would get on in the future to come
 
Get the mac, get the mac, get the mac

You can run Virtualbox on your mac (and bootcamp and whatever). Except for .NET development you can use OSX without issue, you could always compile on a Windows PC if you have to.

A lot of developers use mac and just install virtual instances of a lightweight LINUX or BSD distro.

Not so sure where your going to study but so far with UNISA I've only needed to use Windows once and that was for Delphi - actually did the first module with Lazaurs under Ubuntu.
 
And back to confusion haha ;) I am applying to potch university this week aka north west university...just read now that mac air's are expected to get thunderbolt soon aswell...nice
 
LOL ok lets do this properly then, I take it you never worked on a mac? Also that the only reason you like it is because of the looks?

Why dont you go test drive one at a look and listen. Added if you have an iPhone a mac is a better option. Just remember for the price you can get something with more horsepower in the PC world. Also if you into playing games it would then go PC again, but if you going to study having something that doesn't support all the games is maybe a plus?

Anycase same as always look around, read allot you have 4 months + to make up your mind.
 
Look keeping an open mind on it as u say I'm looking now to get ideas and yep as you said it is still a few months till I can get one...

Gaming will be a no go its fun and all but studies is my priority and ill have my xbox so ill be fine reguarding that

The mac yes I do like the looks to be honest, how can u not, stunning laptop, beautiful screen and works amazing, and I'm a media guy music and just general entertainment I like, iv got a iphone and ipod so lined up there too and love how macs handle media of all sorts

But I have too see everyone will have the pros and cons like there will always be so have to judge up and weigh it up...thanks for the input so far
 
Macs are just for people trying to be Bohemian.

Get a frikkin PC like the rest of us.
 
PC.

Why get a Mac if you are going to spend most of your time in a Virtual Box for Windows or Linux anyway?
 
PC. It's cheaper.

Apple hype: omg its so shiny and pretty, idc if it has worse specs I want an apple logo on my laptop and will pay R3000 more for it
 
I'm at university and I have a 17" macbook pro. WOW it's crap to cart around.
 
Sooner or later you'll realise that you actually need functionality from your laptop, that's why you should buy a PC now instead of having to buy 2 laptops later. Since you're going to be doing computer engineering, chances are you'll be using MATLAB, OrCAD, NS2, Mathematica, Visual Studio, MPLAB and some other more specialised software. I'm not sure if any of them have a mac verison. Rather spend money now on performance than style, that you can do later when you're working and have disposable income.
 
The Macbook Air is awesome! Get one! Its surprisingly fast and can handle way more than one would think. I have a Macbook Air and a 15" i7 Macbook Pro and honestly use the Air more often because of the convenient size. For a student it would be ideal and worth spending a bit more. It boots up in about 12 seconds, can handle pretty heavy multitasking, even Black Ops runs fine on it thanks to the Gefore GT320M.

You won't regret it.
 
Last edited:
UnUnOctium said:
Sooner or later you'll realise that you actually need functionality from your laptop, that's why you should buy a PC now instead of having to buy 2 laptops later. Since you're going to be doing computer engineering, chances are you'll be using MATLAB, OrCAD, NS2, Mathematica, Visual Studio, MPLAB and some other more specialised software. I'm not sure if any of them have a mac verison. Rather spend money now on performance than style, that you can do later when you're working and have disposable income.
Click to expand...

+1 ... A laptop isn't a necessity (esp in 1st year)... but if you are getting one then get a Windows machine... and you may need to install linux at some point for programming related stuff (you don't have to.. can always use lab computers if you need)... but I'll tell you this... at no point in your eng. course will you feel, damn I need MacOS to run this course related software... sure you'll look cooler in class when you whip out your Macbook but then it'll also be more of a risk in terms of theft...
 
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