<p>First off, let me just say that I am aware of the fact that there is a separate thread discussing College Computers and Mac vs. PC issues. However, I wanted answers that were specific to UT Austin, as that is the school I will be attending, not some other random school in the US. So my main questions are:
1) Which computer (Mac or PC) is offered better support on the UT campus?
2) Which does the majority of the student body prefer or have?</p>
<p>your second question was already answered in the first thread you started of the same topic.</p>
<p>as for your first, it would probably be best to call the school and see which is best for your major, as suggested in your first thread as well.</p>
<p>Most students have Macbooks, but neither is “better supported” at the school.</p>
<p>I would disagree. For EE, I would HIGHLY recommend a PC. Many of the simulators were designed by the professors themselves and therefore lack compatibility with Mac’s. These students are then forced to get a copy of windows/linux anyway. There are ways to use the programs on a Mac but are often more buggy on that platform. I’m not sure how big of a deal this is for other majors within engineering but most other engineering majors will only be using MatLab and word processing programs so Mac’s may be okay there. For all other colleges, either computer should work so long as you have Microsoft Office or some equivalent.
Beyond Mac vs. PC, I would focus on battery life and size. I would aim for a 15" laptop with a larger battery. Though you can find outlets (and wifi) almost anywhere and even in class in the newer buildings, I prefer not to carry a brick with me everywhere I go as the laptop tends to feel heavy enough.</p>