<p>Looking to buy a new laptop for my S, an incoming computer science major. Do any current students have any experience with specific needs for CS that might effect choice of laptop/ operating systems? Windows vs Mac etc</p>
<p>In addition, he also wants to bring his desktop computer...advisable? Any limitations in the freshman dorms?
Thanks a lot</p>
<p>This question came up at the alumni reception in our area (metro NJ.) The student panel all had macs, but also all agreed that it doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>Dorm rooms are small. Desktop systems are passé. There is a need from time to time to bring the computer to a lab or to work with a small group. A reasonably high end laptop is what’s needed. Either Windows or Mac.</p>
<p>Thanks @picktails and @fogcity. We are a bit confused because we heard Windows is a must, Mac not so great for CS? Any truth to that?</p>
<p>@overseasmom, the opposite is true. It’s easier to install programming environments on a Mac, since OS X is Unix-based.</p>
<p>Source: I do CS at Penn.</p>
<p>Thank you for the first hand info @Keasbey Nights</p>
<p>@ovrseasmom, my S is entering his senior year as a CS major and has always used a MAC!</p>
<p>I would assume that CS people want the UNIX terminal. Since macs have the UNIX terminal you don’t have to install Linux on a Mac which a lot of CS people do on their PCs</p>