<p>Macbook Pro
13-inch:
2.4GHz
with Retina display
Specifications
2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz
8GB 1600MHz memory
256GB PCIe-based flash storage1
Intel Iris Graphics
Built-in battery (9 hours)2
$1,399.00
Includes free $100 Gift Card by Email</p>
<p>or</p>
<p>Macbook Air
13-inch : 256GB
Specifications
1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz
Intel HD Graphics 5000
4GB memory
256GB PCIe-based flash storage1
$1,149.00
Includes free $100 Gift Card by Email</p>
<p>Which laptop is most ideal for an engineering student?</p>
<p>I already have pretty nasty gaming computer ( desktop i build myself). I just want a reliable computer that has good battery life and performance, and I’m set on getting an apple computer. </p>
<p>For battery life go with the Air but for productivity i recommend a 15" retina model set in 1920x1200 resolution for that extra real estate space. </p>
<p>Look into the refurb store for better pricing; they are factory like-new condition.
<a href=“Refurbished Mac Deals - Apple”>http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac</a>
I use the $1,600 refurb MacBook Pro with retina display. My only complaint is that Apple’s battery life estimates are completely accurate and I’ll get 6-7 hrs before needing a recharges.</p>
<p>PC by its very nature has a much wider installed base and is open to a great many more software providers (in part because of that installed base…economics at work). So you will find some proprietary software that a firm uses or a package that is used for various engineering applications that is simply too costly to produce for the smaller market. Big packages tend to cross over, but the ones that are most useful to the engineering firms in the field tend to be PC-based. </p>
<p>The same concept is more easily seen and understood in the game business. Many fewer game applications for Apple computers than for PCs. Again, basic economics. Emulators can take care of some of that, but when you are trying to make a living at something, do you want to take the chance that the emulator has a few, shall we say, quirks that can alter how a piece of software works or cause it to crash during particularly tricky (read power hungry) operations?</p>
<p>Being ‘set’ on getting a particular brand only makes sense if you have done the research first. </p>
<p>You aren’t going to need anything out of the ordinary for Engineering at a UC. I doubt you are doing heavy editing or graphics processing and need the power of the MacBook Pro. The display on the Air is pretty crappy though, IMO. But it is nice and light, streamlined, and has a pretty good battery. My MBP has pretty bad battery. </p>
<p>But FYI, you can get those laptops for way cheaper if you search around for promos, I just got a Mac desktop for $700 at Best Buy. </p>
<p>I dual booted windows 8,1 onto my MacBook Pro and CSB111 is right, you can get a macbook air for like 700-800 dollars right now at bestbuy after all the promos. </p>