<p>Does anyone know if there are any problems with having an apple laptop...or disadvantages...I know the business college requires XP or Vista Pro, but I can buy and run XP Pro for relatively cheap...are there any other disadvantages I should know about before I buy one? Thanks!</p>
<p>They're not really great if you need a hardware replacement. Apples need specific hardware so that it can be compatible with their software, which may be a problem if you are looking for parts. But most programs that are required through your classes have Mac versions, so it shouldn't be a problem. It's a nice laptop.</p>
<p>thanks! anyone in the business college here?</p>
<p>I love my Macbook. I have several business students (in a different university) who use Macs because of their growing popularity and since Microsoft Office runs easily on a Mac. Windows is always trying to place catch up with Mac features and stability; Vista is the latest attempt to get closer to Mac OS X.</p>
<p>If you plan to do any kind of computer programming, I highly suggest a Windows platform. Anything artistic (marketing, photo manipulation, video, CAD design) is better on the Mac.</p>
<p>The MacBook Pro is a rocket. I wouldn't hesitate.</p>
<p>i wasnt thinking of getting a macbook pro, just a regular macbook...but i looked at the Warrington Website and it says that I need Microsoft Office and Windows XP...does anyone know if that's really true or if it's just suggested</p>
<p>Guess I'll jump in here too; my son will be a freshman in Mech. Engineering and has a nice Apple laptop with MS Office. The Engineering Dept. wants students to have a PC with XP, doesn't want them to get Vista yet. I'm willing to get him a Windows laptop if necessary but seems silly to get XP when it's already "out of date". Not many laptops are available with XP anyway. </p>
<p>Will the Apple really will be a hindrance to him in engineering? Could he at least get through his freshman year using the Apple?</p>
<p>Any engineering students out there that could provide guidance? Thanks.</p>
<p>For his first year, it won't be a problem at all. However, it might be later on. I know that MATLAB can run off a Mac, which is the program he will use the most as a mechE, but he may run into some programs that can only function on Windows only. For example, when he takes C++ for engineers, they use a compiler dev C++, which only works on Windows. If he really likes the Mac, he can always use the school computers to do his programming hw (it is only for one class). He may also run into "teaching" programs (stuff used to aid in the learning of dynamics, fluids, etc.) that can only run on Windows. So for now, it will be okay, but it may be a problem later on.</p>
<p>Isn't there a program called Bootcamp that will allow the MacBook Pro to run Windows XP?</p>
<p>The conventional wisdom on Apple vs. PC used to be that those in the design arts selected Apple and the rest chose PCs. Nowadays, the choice is mainly a personal one for most applications. The one exception I would hesitate to choose a Mac for would be engineering or other hard science. There, most apps are develped in the Windows environment, mainly in C++ or C#. So if you are majoring is engineering, I would choose a Windows-based PC. It's just not worth the risk of running into an incompatibility problem with a Mac.</p>
<p>Get Parallels...It allows you to run multiple operating systems on one computer. Parallels > Boot Camp.</p>
<p>Thanks, all. Parallels won't work because his laptop doesn't have the right chip (dual-core?) to run it. I suppose we could see how far through the Freshman year he could get with the Mac before investing in a new PC. Maybe by then the Engineering Dept. will have worked out any compatibility issues with Vista, and not insist on XP.</p>
<p>anyone in warrington know if a macbook is ok?</p>
<p>guess not thanks anyways guys!</p>
<p>Quiksilver2007, a Macbook is fine for a business major.</p>