Engineering Computer

<p>I will be starting engineering school at Cornell in the fall. I will probably major in either mechanical engineering, information science systems and technology, or operations research and engineering. I currently have a 3.5 year old Apple MacBook Pro and have always been a Mac person however I see windows as being a much more practical system for school and work after.*
Right I see myself with 3 choices.*
1) Start school with my current MBP and take the first semester to see what would work best and purchase during winter break.*
2) Get a windows computer now and fully learn how to use it before school starts. 3)Just get another MBP sometime between now and school.*
As for windows laptops what would be best. I'm thinking a Lenovo w520. I want something fast and reliable just like everyone else. I don't have much experience with PCs so any other laptop recommendations?*
I'm afraid be switching computers in the middle of the year might be tricky and it's easier to just start with one. Does any one else have<em>Experience with with starting with an old computer to gauge what's best?</em>
Also with the PC would strongly consider getting an iPad to go along with it. My mom has one and unlike many I see a real value in it. But that would definitely wait till after the first semester. Anyone have experience with this?*
In the end based on experience which choice would you advise and what PC would you recommend.*</p>

<p>why not just run bootcamp on your mac and have both operating systems?</p>

<p>I’m an incoming freshman going into mechanical engineering with a new 15" MBP. You definitely won’t need windows for any programs freshman year but idk about later. And if I did have to use windows later, I’d just install it on my mac. Also, fully refreshed macbook pros are coming out next year so I would wait for that if I were you. I only upgraded this year because I had an iMac before this and wanted a laptop for college.</p>