Mac or PC for college students?

Question

I'm debating between a Mac or PC for college and I'm having a hard time deciding.

Answer 1

Mac if you want to impress your friends with how much money you're willing to spend on shiny gear that "just works", PC if you plan to do anything productive.



I'd advise Linux if you plan to do something technical like engineering or programing, that's the cheapest alternative, but it's also the least user friendly.



I'd suggest installing Linux anyway, you might just like it, and you can't beat the price (it's free).



If you do get the Mac eventually, don't forget to tell all your friends how much better it is than a PC and how much of a better person you are for owning a Mac.

Answer 2

Okay, If he's just going to use it for surfing the web and writing up papers, etc.. Get a netbook they're best suited for this and very portable as well as the most affordable. If he's going to be doing any sort of heavy video editing type classes he should definitely get a mac although pc also has great software. But mac is preferable in this area. If he wants a desktop replacement go with the pc they're very large around 20"+ screens and have similar performance to a desktop. They're high power but not very portable because they consume the battery extremely fast. A pro for a dorm instead of an actual desktop because it doesn't take up space plus you could secure it. I've known of friends who've had roommates stealing things from them. And, Obviously the main drawl for pc is because a mac with the same performance/specs is quadruple the price. Brands I recommend for pc would be Samsung, Asus or Dell(last choice). Oh yeah I strongly suggest getting a matte screen because glossy screens are virtually impossible to see outdoors.

Answer 3

It certainly depends a lot on your major. Look at the web page for the program you're thinking of going into. They may have technology requirements or recommendations that will help you decide.



Generally, architecture and engineering programs require Windows computers.

Advertising and art students are advised to go with Macs.

Computer science students can go with either, although computer engineering students should go with Windows.



I would personally recommend going with a Mac for the sole reason that you can install the Windows operating system on a Mac. Windows 7 is sold at a discounted price for students. Depending on the school you go to, it may be even more heavily discounted. (At my school, I purchased Windows 7 for $17.) So if you buy a Mac, you can, in a way, get a Windows computer as well.



Here's an Apple link about Windows on Mac: http://www.apple.com/macosx/compatibility/



I wouldn't recommend Linux. It's not user friendly, and won't give you many advantages if you're not huge into developing your own applications and modifying your operating system. It's just not worth the hassle.

Answer 4

Price or look? The hardware is the same, it's just more expensive if Apple makes it - and usually flashier.



MacOS used to be better for graphics than Windows - in the 80s and 90s. No more. MacOSX is a *nix derivative, and you can get the same derivative - FreeBSD - for a non-Apple laptop.



About all you gain with a Mac is those programs that don't have Windows or Linux equivalents, and they're fewer and fewer all the time. (There are MANY programs that have no Mac equivalent.) What you also gain with Mac is more expense in buying, maintaining and repairing, and almost no upgrade path (none with Macbooks). There are upgradeable Windows/Linux laptops. (And they're a lot more hardware than the Macbook for the same price.)

Answer 5

mac if you can afford it..... it will last much longer. has better battery life, and the new macbooks pros are really worth it

Answer 6

whats your major. thats the only way to decide

Answer 7

MacBook...