<p>Again, a main reason for the number of Macs you see at developer and other tech conferences is that the machines combine the Mac OS with direct access to UNIX plus the ability to run a bunch of different OS’s. </p>
<p>The ability to run programs natively is important. Not long ago, if you had to fold RNA, you had no choice but to use Windows. Also important is the ability to test in different OS’s, even something as simple as running the same browser natively in Windows and OS X.</p>
<p>I think this thread is great for shooting down the mac fanboyism on here. Fanboyism is annoying in general anyway</p>
<p>what would you guys recommend for someone who uses a laptop primarily for surfing the internet, writing essays/word processing, and downloading digital photos?</p>
<p>For college, I have to choose between a Lenova Thinkpad or a Macbook. Have never had a Mac, but always wanted one. The Mac is more expensive, yea, but it seems that it may last longer and have less maintenance problems…</p>
<p>the pc i have now works fine, and windows is good, but can’t i get windows on a mac, too? should I switch to the mac or not?</p>
<p>You can use any computer for those uses. It’s totally personal preferences.</p>
<p>^^ I would never turn down a Thinkpad. But it ultimately comes down to personal preference.</p>
<p>Well, you really can’t say “I do X, Y, and Z, what computer is best?” You’re the only person here who really knows all your computer habits and comforts, so you’d know best even if you were surrounded by a room full of computer experts. To put it simply, personal preference.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=Lergnom]
the machines combine the Mac OS with direct access to UNIX
[/quote]
I’ve never really understood this statement. Between the case-insensitive filesystem, the non-standard directory structure, the heavy patching of common software for absolutely no decipherable reason, the sheer idiocy that is launchd, the limitation of access to many system components to clunky GUIs, and the enormous changes to the system architecture between versions, I definitely don’t consider OS X to be a UNIX on practical level. For example, I spent a good portion of the afternoon attempting to determine why an OS X utility as simple as echo does not conform to its man page.</p>
<p>OK, time for some fine-print. I will be an applied math major at Duke this fall with research in Neuroscience, brain-mapping and AI/Robotics. So, there would be considerable research work including simulations, algorithm testing and heavy-duty math modeling. Taking all that into account, should I go for the Macbook Pro or a Macbook OR perhaps a Windows laptop?</p>
<p>Noob question: Can you run Linux on a Macbook?</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=adrivit]
simulations, algorithm testing and heavy-duty math modeling…should I go for the Macbook Pro or a Macbook OR perhaps a Windows laptop?
[/quote]
I work in a computational biology lab, and I can tell you that any computationally expensive simulations/models are run on the university’s clusters, or at least on a desktop. I’m guessing that you’ll be in a similar situation in your lab, so just buy whatever you prefer.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=adrivit]
Can you run Linux on a Macbook?
[/quote]
Yes, but unless you’re also going to use OS X a significant amount of the time, it seems kind of pointless to get a Mac.</p>
<p>Srunni, maybe you can answer this. My D has done research in two separate neuroscience labs, and both use Macs (G4s, I think) as their main computers. Is there a particular set of molebio/neuro programs that run better on a Mac?</p>
<p>But on topic, Srunni is correct. Most of your work will probably be done on lab computers, whichever OS they happen to run.</p>
<p>You can run Windows, Linux and whatever you want on a Mac. You can run them natively, meaning it will boot into that OS, or you can run them in emulation under Parallels or VMWare. The latter two give you the ability to share data, etc.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=Momwaitingfornew]
My D has done research in two separate neuroscience labs, and both use Macs (G4s, I think) as their main computers. Is there a particular set of molebio/neuro programs that run better on a Mac?
[/quote]
Well, most of the programs don’t run well on Windows, which leaves you with Mac and Linux, which are both UNIX-based (or at least enough so for the programs to run). From there it’s just personal preference.</p>
<p>My lab also uses Macs (though I use Linux), as Apple gives the university discounts on Mac Pros. I think having Terminal.app built-in is pretty important by itself to many people (things like PuTTY, Cygwin, & MinGW are seen as rather clunky), as you have to use it to connect to the clusters, which mostly run Linux, IIRC.</p>
<p>But I also think a good portion of it is people just wanting the coolest toys (i.e., Macs).</p>
<p>
Yes, but if you are going to install your own OS you should do the research and see if the particular hardware you’re considering is supported.
This depends on the individual software in question. You really do want OS X binaries available, because POSIX-compliance only guarantees that the app will compile. Compiling big-time software with a bunch of possibly-unresolved dependencies can get nasty.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=noimagination]
This depends on the individual software in question. You really do want OS X binaries available, because POSIX-compliance only guarantees that the app will compile. Compiling big-time software with a bunch of possibly-unresolved dependencies can get nasty.
[/quote]
My lab (and most others, I’m guessing) has a system admin who takes care of software installation, so that’s not really an issue. Moreover, every single scientific program I’ve had to use is available in the package manager for Gentoo (the Linux distro I use) and most other common distros, so I could install them myself without any dependency issues anyway.</p>
<p>^ My comment was referring to the validity of UNIX-compatibility as a merit of owning a Mac as a personal system. Since it is rather unlikely that the admin for your lab would also handle setting up software on a student’s individual machine, that point is moot. Most major Linux distros do indeed include the desired software in their repositories, but that has nothing to do with choosing a Mac.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=noimagination]
My comment was referring to the validity of UNIX-compatibility as a merit of owning a Mac as a personal system.
[/quote]
I wasn’t even talking about personal systems. I was referring exclusively to the workstations used in computational labs.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>First of all while you may be able to run Window and GNU/Linux on a macbook, they both run like crap compared to running them on a pc.</p>
<p>Secondly. there is no emulation when using Parallels or vmware.</p>
<p>Dr. Horse, that statement is astounding. You do realize that when you run Windows or Linux natively on an Apple computer, it is EXACTLY THE SAME AS ANY PC. Apple uses the exact same hardware as other PC vendors. What makes a Mac a “Mac” is the OS.</p>
<p>i don’t know anything about computers. i do need one for college and i have to decide between a dell and a macbook pro. now the mac is more expensive but i’m getting mine for free because my scholarships will cover it… so now that price doesn’t matter which one? i’ve done the research and i still don’t know what to think. i just want something that will do anything i want and more and that is easy to figure out</p>
<p>If you’re familiar with a Mac, or think it’ll fit your needs, go for it. Otherwise, go with the Dell.</p>
<p>Check and see if your University has a recommendation, or if they’re fine with both.</p>