<p>My daughter will be in McCormick in the fall and we are getting ready to purchase her laptop. She is partial to Apple. Any reason not to buy an Apple for engineering? The NUIT guidelines have minimum requirements and power user requirements. Should we go power user? They suggest a 15" display with 2.4 GHz but that isn't an option at Apple. There is a 13" with 2.4 GHz but the 15" only has 2.3 GHz. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I don’t know the specifics regarding GHz, but the majority of people I know in McCormick have standard MacBooks (13" and 15") and have no problems</p>
<p>I’m attending McCormick in the fall as well (2018!) and from what I’ve read and heard and otherwise digested, there are certain engineering softwares and programs that are not compatible with Macs, but with technology these days, that is largely irrelevant. At the worst, you can simply install software like Parallels or Bootcamp and run Windows on the Mac to get around this.</p>
<p>I would go with power user just to be safe, as engineers will use CAD software (my dad is an engineer and he’s constantly nagging me about these things, engineers rely on this and that, blah blah blah, you get the point) and I am relatively sure that those 13’’ Macbooks can, but won’t run stuff like CAD at an optimum performance. They will do the job, just not like the 15’’ stuff will. If your D was a Medill student, I would have recommended the 13’’ without a doubt. The extra oomph you get with the 15’’ (more powerful CPU, which btw, goes beyond the number by the GHz. Generally i7 > i5, in this specific case, the CPU for the 15’’ is definitely more powerful and better than the one in the 13’’, which isn’t that bad either; more memory, et cetera, cetera) will be much more convenient as an engineer. </p>
<p>So to sum it up, Apple laptops are fine for engineering and definitely go for the power user guideline.</p>
<p>To clarify, though. The 13’’ probably is going to be enough, but I would get the 15’’ just to make sure. Both CPUs are fine for the job, it’s just the 15’’ does it better. Just don’t get the cheapest 13’’ option nor the most expensive 15’’ option. The former has too little memory IMO and the latter is overkill in certain aspects and you’re just throwing money at that point. </p>
<p>Thanks! and congrats to you! Good luck!</p>
<p>I just graduated from McCormick and I would echo what cpraf104 says about macs. I used a Macbook Pro Retina 15", and it seemed like a majority of McCormick students use macs. The vast majority of the software your daughter will need to use will run on a mac, but she might need to install Windows using bootcamp or parallels for some CAD software (which she probably won’t even use unless she’s a MechE). For really specialized software, she’ll need to run on machines in a computer lab so her personal computer won’t matter. If it were me, I would go with the 15" Macbook Retina just because I personally appreciate the extra screen room and extra power. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t be concerned at all that the 15" Macbook only has a 2.3GHz processor; GHz ratings are almost meaningless at this point to compare across laptops and I can tell you that even the 2.0GHz 15" Macbook is significantly more powerful than the 2.4GHz 13" Macbook.</p>
<p>Also just a heads up, as of a few months ago, NU students get office for free, so there’s no need to buy a copy yourself (<a href=“Service Catalog - Software and Applications”>Service Catalog - Software and Applications).</p>
<p>My son is studying CS, and is bringing a powerful dual boot Win 8 and Linux desktop and a smallish Windows 8 tablet/laptop convertible. He says he can remote in to the desktop from the laptop if needed. Does this plan work and make sense?</p>
<p>My S attended a different U in EE. He originally bought a PC laptop–top of the line, large & HEAVY. It broke and he got a full refund because of the AmEx extended warranty. He replaced it with a netbook AND a desktop, which he found a LOT handier to use. Our D had a very similar experience, replacing her broken heavy laptop with a desktop and netbook. Just another thing to consider.</p>
<p>So, we are looking at MacBook Pros. D is Applied Math/Computer Science. Going to stick to the 13" because I think the 15"s are more than she needs (despite the larger screen) and much more expensive. So thinking of going with the middle of the road 13". Sound reasonable? </p>
<p>I wonder if you might also get a larger monitor for her desk in her room for those serious coding times. I’m sure she has much better eyes than I do, but the idea of coding with only a 13" monitor is not at all appealing. I don’t even like coding with a single monitor.</p>
<p>Good idea. She has a desktop at home; she can just take that monitor. Thanks!</p>
<p>I assume the MacBook will support a second monitor … </p>
<p>Doesn’t matter at this point. Daughter hated the idea. Go figure. (Didn’t think room/desk was big enough for big monitor). </p>
<p>Haha. My CS son thinks the only purpose for his desk at home IS the big monitor. He studies on his bed or the floor.</p>
<p>Daddio3…your S is not the only one :-)</p>
<p>I am considering getting a gaming PC. My concern is that their battery life is not that good. Dose most of the classroom at NU have power outlet within reach for plugin? Thanks!</p>
<p>13-inch MacBook Pro retina + HD LCD tv w/ HDMI cable to use as tv & additional screen</p>
Hi i’m majoring in CS at Northwestern next year and I was wondering if i should get the Mac or a PC
From my experience in CS at NU, either works fine, but more people have Macs. I got a Mac for college and definitely prefer it to all Windows computers I’ve used in the past. For CS, it’s also more convenient, as OSX is UNIX-based, so once you go on to higher level programming, you’ll have an easier time navigating NU’s UNIX sever. When it comes to writing your code, Xcode is also fantastic and Mac-only, certainly better than Window’s Visual Studio.
My kid is running Win 10 on a desktop and it works great. Either is fine.
Anyone know where the best place to get tech for cheap is?