<p>So I’m wondering if anybody has any suggestions on computers?
I’m going to have to get a laptop for fall and I don’t know which is better, mac or pc?
Thank you!</p>
<p>What will be its primary uses?</p>
<p>i would say a pc? i don’t know… im still undecided as well.</p>
<p>my major is civil engineering and I wonder if the MAC is useful for designing stuff…</p>
<p>I’d say go with a Mac. Two of my roommates have PC’s and their computers are constantly crashing or having problems, like automatically updating themselves for an hour or just being really slow. One of my friends has had her Mac for four years, so while Macs may cost more, they last longer so they are worth it. I’d say about half the people here have macs and half have pc’s, so I don’t think it really matters. It’s more personal preference.</p>
<p>My son and I were just talking about this. We are going to contact the department and ask what they think. He loves his Mac, so I am sure he hopes they recommend one for a laptop. That is a big purchase and one we want to get out of the way pretty soon. There will be so many things to buy closer to move in time.</p>
<p>If your not completely technologically illiterate, go with a PC. They are cheaper, perform faster, have much better components, and offer far more features. Windows is also not a closed operating system like the Mac’s OS. I look at it this way- what do professionals use for programing, graphic design, and governmental affairs? PC’s. I really like both Windows Vista and Windows 7. Great operating systems in my book. </p>
<p>As someone who builds, works, and tinkers with computers, i wouldn’t go any other way than PC. Please don’t jump on the collegiate Mac bandwagon like many uninformed and technologically illiterate students do.</p>
<p>My husband is waiting to see what seems to be the recommendation, as well. Even though we’ve always been a PC family, I’ve heard great things about the MacBook. He said that it’s not much different to use then a PC. So, we’ll see! I almost wish she could have a smaller netbook to take with her around campus and in classes, so she can leave a larger-screened computer in her dorm.
<p>momofmv wrote:</p>
<p>My son and I were just talking about this. We are going to contact the department and ask what they think. He loves his Mac, so I am sure he hopes they recommend one for a laptop. That is a big purchase and one we want to get out of the way pretty soon. There will be so many things to buy closer to move in time.</p><p>Mac Book! it’s definitely more efficient…</p>
<p>PC is surely the way to go…
I was suckered into buying an expensive Macbook Pro because the department “highly recommended” students to have a Mac due to its stability. Then I realised that I could do everything that I needed that a Mac could with a PC anyway, so I formatted the drive and have Windows 7 as the primary OS on MBP now. P.S. I’m an EE major. </p>
<p>Speaking of Civil. I have a friend who is in CE and bought a Macbook. He said it was a pain when he realised that AutoCAD is not available for Mac so he had to install Windows on his Macbook through bootcamp to do homework.</p>
<p>We asked the same thing last year - every one told us it doesn’t matter for most majors, it’s just personal preference. My son has an HP Windows laptop and it has worked out well, and he’s in Materials Engineering. For Comp Sci majors or maybe Comp Eng majors, you may want to consider something with Linux.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if there is tech service available to students on campus? At “another university” where my older daughter attends, there is pretty reliable free service for help with things like connecting to the internet in the absence of WiFi, and help with basic computer problems. I am “tech service” at our house, and I’m not going to be making house calls.
Also, is there a good shop in town that sells/supports Mac? I could google it, but thought someone here might know…</p>
<p>Good question, by the way.</p>
<p>There’s a mac store in downtown SLO, and the el corral book store sells them on campus…</p>
<p>“If your not completely technologically illiterate, go with a PC.” Don’t ya just love helpful suggestions like that, particularly when they contain grammatical errors? 
Look, unless there is a need for functionality requiring a specific configuration, it just doesn’t matter. Besides, the school is loaded with computers for student use. The smart thing to do might be to wait to purchase one until your s/d gets the lay of the land.</p>
<p>Thanks smallpotato. imma stick with PCs for sure!</p>
<p>gotpeter, what’s the grammatical error in that sentence?
I certainly appreciate a good grammar ■■■■■-they always add so much to a conversation!
“It” certainly does matter when you pay quite a bit more money for a computer that simply doesn’t perform.</p>
<p>it’s "you’re"not “your” lol</p>
<p>Bigxcman, improper use of “your.” Plus, gotpeter is probably the most helpful person on this forum, so I’d say he can call some grammatical errors and fallacies once in a while.</p>
<p>yes agreed</p>
<p>oh and it is all personal preference unless your department prefers a certain configuration</p>
<p>I think that Mac is the way to go, I had been using PCs up until about a year ago, and I like my new MacBook a lot</p>
<p>And turns out the Architecture department prefers mac, so I am set</p>
<p>If you are in arch, definitely go with a Mac.</p>
<p>Thanks Zungra. If you are leaning towards a Mac I think the book store still offers a decent discount. Might want to check it out - [El</a> Corral Bookstore - Computers](<a href=“Official Online Store”>Official Online Store) - before paying retail at the Apple Store.
(Full Disclosure - I use PCs. My son, an AE major, went for Mac.)</p>