<p>I know there is already a thread about the best laptop to get, but I wanted to ask a slightly different question. Can anybody recommend whether it would be better to have a Mac or a PC at school as a business major? I've been looking into a Mac, they seem like a pretty attractive option considering the stability they offer over a PC, but I'm not sure if it would put me at a disadvantage. I plan to major in finance, would it be a problem to use a Mac as a business student- I know that in the business world PCs are used more, is this the same in school? If it would be a major problem with not being able to run programs I will probably just get a PC, but I'm really leaning towards the Mac- probably the 12 inch powerbook because its pretty powerful and really portable. Comments?</p>
<p>There shouldn't be a problem. The issues with software having a PC but no Mac version is pretty much left to realm of games. Most software companies either make a mac version or Apple makes a program of their own. Microsoft Office is also for Mac, but I would recommend iWork over it- hundreds of dollars cheaper and also supports every file format used by word, powerpoint, and excel, so there really isn't anything you're missing out on. Airport is 802.11g-based so any wireless network at the school will work for your laptop, too.</p>
<p>Also, getting a mac is a virtual guarantee that your computer will work fine for four years (I'm on an iMac from 1998 right now), provided that you don't drop it from the second floor or something.</p>
<p>If you're going to get a powerbook, I would suggest holding out until they update the line. Their last update was Janrurary 31 and they refresh every 6 months or so, so they will probably update before you leave for college. the new OS (Tiger) is coming out imminently so watch for that, too.</p>
<p>There are a lot of macs in colleges. Besides the high-end pro market, Apple's other market is found in students, and though I don't know where you're headed the UC's all fully support Mac use. You should check out your college's student store and look for mac products.</p>
<p>to some dedicated Mac and PC users...this could end up being one controversial thread :p</p>
<p>VT's all mac, aside from a few computers in the library (they have both PCs and Macs)...but 95% of the campus computers are Apples</p>
<p>For college, either is fine but you need to consider the following: virtually no one in the actual business world uses Mac's; if you get a job (summer internship) during college, you will have to know how to use a PC because that is likely the computer you will be provided to work with.</p>
<p>Check with the college if you're really unsure... my school has plenty of both, but they "officially" recommend (you have to scour the website to find it) PCs, with Microsoft office. Check with the business department to see what programs you need, and then see which kind of comp you'll be more compatible with.</p>
<p>If you're a business major, a Windows machine is your best bet. Very few, if any, large scale enterprises use Macs. While MS Office for Macs has Excel, software like SAP/SAS, I believe, operate only in a Windows environment. And viturally all proprietary business software solutions are written for Windows...</p>
<p>I was concerned about this last year for my daughter who is a biology major. I checked with the department at the college who confirmed a Mac was okay (but NOT recommended for engineering or business majors).
I think it depends on the school; however I agree with drusba and michuncle above regarding the kinds of programs you'll potentially need to run and being versed in the operations of a PC vs Mac.</p>
<p>The world is changing. The business world somewhat lags behind but they are starting to include more and more macs. Its mostly due to OSX, its simply a better OS (than os9 and windows) and its unix (bsd) based which makes the software come to it much easier.</p>
<p>I wouldnt be supprised to see a lot more business macs in the future.</p>
<p>what about MACs vs. PCs for a pre-med?</p>
<p>And to continue the trend:</p>
<p>Macs vs. PC's for a poli sci and rhetoric major? (I will switch to a P.C. for a law school though).</p>
<p>*Note: Going to Berkeley for undergrad</p>
<p>Another problem w/ a mac is that if you have a major problem, the college's IT department might not be as knowledgeable on a mac as they are on a windows computer. os x is a better operating system, but with over 95% of the world using windows, and most programs written mainly for windows, a pc seems the better bet. Also, don't even think about using Virtual PC, because w/out a super strong mac, it will be WAY too slow to do anything.</p>
<p>I had to install a lot of software on my computer as a business major, and I'm not sure if it can be installed on a mac.. but I do love macs. :)</p>
<p>For engineering majors is a mac not convenient? I had my heart set on getting a mac, but i'm not really sure which would be better for engineering.</p>
<p>No matter what your major is, if you want to get a mac, get a mac.</p>
<p>If you were going into engineering and didnt want a mac, I wouldnt push one on you but since you want one, there is obviously the desire there and I would reccomend it.</p>
<p>What about mac vs. pc for physics majors? (going to northwestern)</p>
<p>for all sciences you usually get a lot of programs (i know chem has the vernier software or something), and most are written for PC. it would probably be much easier to use a pc, even though macs are cool</p>
<p>I am getting a Mac as a prospective Econ/Philosophy combined major and music minor at Columbia. </p>
<p>Mac's are far better than PC's...I can't wait to get my Powerbook.</p>
<p>I'm probobly going to be a physics major (dont actualy declare at uchicago until end of sophomore year) and I would have no hesitation buying a 15" powerbook if not for the fact that I am very tech savvy and prefer to play around with linux on my laptop.</p>
<p>pre-med usually doesn't require any special software</p>
<p>I just finished 4 years of pre-med and most computer related work used the Internet</p>
<p>Still, I'm comfortable with the PC system and have the necessary software to avoid spyware and viruses</p>
<p>I do know my med school recommends PC's and not Macs...not sure why yet though</p>