<p>Hey, I was just accepted for fall 2011, now as im starting to think about what I'll need to go the laptop dilemma comes up. I know a lot of schools are compatible with either a mac or a pc and that some will even service one type for free or provide a discount if it's purchased through them. </p>
<p>Does anyone know which is better for a Columbia student going into the sciences?</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter. Most people have macs but either is fine.</p>
<p>If “the sciences” = “physics,” then you’re probably better off with a PC, since some of the software doesn’t run on Macs. There are, of course, computer labs around so it’s certainly possible to get by with a Mac in SEAS. Outside of engineering, I’d say 90% of the students have Macs.</p>
<p>Pwoods, thank you that was what i was looking for!
mind me asking what you have?</p>
<p>Keep in mind that a new Mac is Intel based and runs Windows and therefore Window’s apps.</p>
<p>That’s right. You have the option of either installing a Virtual Machine (VMWARE or Parallels) that can then run your favorite Windows or Linux in VM mode. Alternatively you can dual boot (or triple boot) using a feature that Apple has called Boot Camp ( this will allow you to run applications at native speed - in the VM mode there is some loss of performance).</p>
<p>[Apple</a> - Mac OS X - Windows Compatibility - How Mac works with PCs](<a href=“macOS Ventura - Apple”>macOS Ventura - Apple)</p>
<p>@nilesdavid
Thanks, that’s actually an excellent point! That said, most of the people I know in SEAS have Windows PCs, and a good deal actually run Linux. It’s probably part of the whole SEAS attitude.</p>
<p>Personally, I am firmly in the College, and I’m not taking any math or science classes! I have a Macbook Pro and love it. It’s not cheap, but I have really been impressed with the speed, ease of use, battery life, and tough but light aluminum casing.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input everyone :)</p>
<p>yeah PC all the way. plus they cheaper</p>
<p>hmmmm "Outside of engineering, I’d say 90% of the students have Macs. "</p>
<p>as a CC freshman, would a Mac or PC be more convenient then?</p>
<p>Mac hands down</p>
<p>Definitely a Mac. I mean, you can get by with a PC. Hell, one of my best friends uses a (broken) netbook. All you really need is an Internet browser and a word processing app. But the vast majority of students have Macbooks. Strangely, they all use Office for Mac or Open Office; I haven’t encountered anyone (besides myself) who uses iWork.</p>
<p>that’s interesting… so most cc’ers have macbooks, but if i really wanted i could get by with a pc without compatibility issues etc?</p>