Mac Vs Windows For Engineering

Unless one of the two tech giants does something utterly remarkable, the Windows vs. Mac OS argument will remain without a definite resolution for years to come. Windows offers more hardware and software options, but Mac counters with a cleaner and more intuitive approach to computing and fewer security issues.

I've noticed that my beloved Samsung laptop with Windows 10 is starting to get slow. So, rather than wait until it's unusable, I want upgrade before I start Year One of Computer Science. Whilst doing the obligatory google searches for 'best windows laptop 2016', 'best laptop computer science', 'best laptop university / degree' etc.

I came across some really interesting topics of conversation regarding Windows Vs OSX, especially regarding Computer Science. When doing generic searches for laptops for degree courses, the general opinion was: get mac for creative / media / art degrees, but windows for anything engineering / mathematical / scientific / business / technology. I thought, 'Great!'

That's my windows choice sorted then! (This opinion kinda confirmed what I'd already been thinking). But then I found multiple topics talking about Computer Science and how reliant it is on UNIX / Linux. There seem to be many students lauding Apple Macs because they're UNIX based and don't require the fiddling that Linux machines do.

Macs can also dual boot to Windows (for the best of both worlds), and have multiple other advantages (apparently). Free vcd player os x. Aside from the fact that they're often double the price of a conventional windows PC, getting an Apple Mac for Computer Science is starting to make sense! Any Computer Science students care to weigh in? TL;DR Apparently MacOS / OSX is a UNIX operating system which makes it great for development / computer science stuff.

Also it can dual boot Windows easily (for best of both worlds). ( by SalazarSlytherin) If you want a fashion accessory and an empty wallet, get a mac, if you want to be able to code on c, c++, c# etc. And have a laptop which is actually good, get a laptop. Also with left over money compared to a mac you could buy 800 terry's chocolate oranges That is not really true. Macbooks are powerful and useful tools for developers - just look at many major hackathon or developer events and you'll see probably 8/10 people using a Mac, with the remainder Windows/Linux. Firstly the machines themselves are not overpriced - you get what you pay for.

Most people just base how much a machine should cost based on CPU/RAM/GPU, but when you dig into quality of the machine, battery life, screen quality, SSD speeds, keyboard and trackpad usability, QC issues (which a lot of Windows laptops, even the best such as XPS 13/15 have), you start to realise it isn't as overpriced as you thought it was. Besides, how do you add value to the fact you can walk into any Apple store if you have issues - Have an ASUS for example and something is wrong with your laptop and you may be out without a laptop for a few weeks. I am not an Apple fanboy and personally, I do prefer to use Windows to MacOS, but don't underestimate it as a developer tool, not just arts and design. As you said, the UNIX structure with it's terminal makes it very promising for various programming languages/developer tools itself. MacBooks are the choice for a lot of data scientists as well over Windows (most people might have assumed otherwise). Windows 10 is actually introducing a BASH shell which I got really excited for recently, as I thought they might have plugged the gap, but looking into it further it is a much more limited version which can't do many expected features that you can do on OS X / Linux. I use a Microsoft Developer stack (Visual Studio/SQL Server etc) and I just use Parallels to VM the Windows to run these very conveniently.