WBaS

I would probably need things like MatLAB, AutoCAD, excel (I can get this for mac I believe) etc.

I think my biggest issue with mac right now is the hardware limitations. It seems you can only get specific upgrades with each model and I don't see very many "gaming" video cards.

Also, can you use a standard monitor with apple or does it have to be an apple monitor?

__________________
Links:
Xfire WBaS

OCN DiabloIII Xfire Clan

Member of the OCN Diablo III Club

AMD CPU/RAM Overclocking "Mini-Guide"

"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime." -Lao Tzu

NessTheHero

I think if you buy a standard monitor you have to buy an adapter because the plugs are unique for apple. Don't take that as fact though. That's all I've experienced.

__________________

Next upgrades: 150 GB Raptor; 24" Monitor; 9800 GTX 4 SLI; Q6600; Auzentech Prelude;

WBaS

I'm trying to have an intelligent discussion here, please try to give some validation to your information. I like to keep an open mind and learn about new things. The quote above provides little to no useful information as they are opinions without substance.

Now back on topic... so I wouldn't need to buy new monitors, I can just get an adaptor? Sounds fair enough.

I also was checking out nvidia's website and it seems that you can buy gfx cards there, but for the mac pro. Would it be safe to assume that the mac pro has the most upgrade options as far as hardware is concerned? And are there ways to get a stripped down version for cheaper and only put the things in I want?

__________________
Links:
Xfire WBaS

OCN DiabloIII Xfire Clan

Member of the OCN Diablo III Club

AMD CPU/RAM Overclocking "Mini-Guide"

"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime." -Lao Tzu

rRav3n

http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/

from the apple website, basicly basic knowledge, gives a good standing

ted

I know there is Matlab for Mac, however it appears that AutoCAD is not Mac compatible. I guess you could use BootCamp, but at that point you may as well just use Windows.

I would try to play around with one for a few hours, use the Apple store demos- that's what they are for after all. I know people that already own Macs go there to show off, but you can use it to see what you think

As an engineering student, I have noticed that other students will choose to wait longer in line to use a Windows workstation rather than going to the Macs. I am one of those people- if I need to use the computers in the library I will gladly wait an extra 5 or 10 minutes for a Windows machine because Matlab isn't completely confusing and I can work faster.

As a gamer, I always ask mac users to explain why their OS is better than Windows. (Obviously they can't play games, but Windows does more than games) The only reasons I get are: easier to use, looks better. Anyone on this site can ignore ease-of-use because anything remotely considered to be a computer is easy to use. Looking better is personal preference, and I could care less if my windows dance a jig before they close.

__________________
e6600 and block Lapping Project (Complete)
Project: Maelstrom(Updated)

Folding for Team iSore

NessTheHero

Well, you could try to find a G4 on eBay, but currently the G5 is the only traditional computer you can buy from Apple. Everything else is a weird form factor.

To be honest, Apple is the most controlling computer company out there. You pretty much have to use their software with their hardware and their peripherals and their customer service and if you don't like it, have fun not having a mac.

You can look around for older powerpcs that are cheaper and upgradeable but good luck.

__________________

Next upgrades: 150 GB Raptor; 24" Monitor; 9800 GTX 4 SLI; Q6600; Auzentech Prelude;

WBaS

Ok thanks again for the replies.

After looking into it a bit today and listening to your replies, it seems like mac is not really what I am looking for. I guess they really are still in a niche market. I am in no way saying they are bad, or insufficient, just I don't think they are a good fit for me (based on what I've seen so far). Maybe I'll still try to get my hands on one to play around though and I'm always open to learning more.

Thanks again.

__________________
Links:
Xfire WBaS

OCN DiabloIII Xfire Clan

Member of the OCN Diablo III Club

AMD CPU/RAM Overclocking "Mini-Guide"

"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime." -Lao Tzu

The Hundred Gunner

Yes, the Mac Pro will have the most upgrade options. I don't know about getting a cheaper one... Maybe you can get an older model.

My two cents: if you're going to depend on this computer for gaming and engineering programs, I wouldn't consider a Mac. Unless you're willing to use Bootcamp and lose you ability to customize (put your own graphics cards in, for example), then I wouldn't consider it for those applications.

You might still like the OS, though... In that case, it might be worth it to you. Personally, I do everything in OSX. It's my main OS. I do boot into windows, however, for gaming (and gaming only). If you want to learn more about the OS, I suggest visiting a friend who has one. If you ask me, you're just going to have a bad experience at an apple store. Those computers are not well kept at all (and so might not your friend's, but that's still probably your best bet). When you get your own, then you can take care of it all you like, like I do lol

__________________
"But you would be amazed by how many people think that the only reason to have a computer is to play games, and that playing games is all that anyone with a computer does." - dangerousHobo

"Linux is everywhere, it is all around us, even now in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window, or you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes. " - mbp

"I have used a mac before. And they still don't have right click I mean come on. - aakar

batista

Like the hundred gunner said, if you're going to use engeneering software then buy a powerfull windows laptop but if don't care about customization you can pick up a macbook pro and use bootcamp and trust me you won't regret it. I've been using windows for over 7 years now I'm happy with it but I love the mac os, it just works anytime, everytime. If you live in NYC, the store at 5th Av is open 24/7 so you can check whatever time is best for you and they have different things going on every day of the week so just check the website and see what they're giving at what time and date and take it from there.

What made me buy my macbook was that my sister infected my desktop and the virus just keep crashing my explorer and that day I was so upset with so many things that I didn't feel like dealing with cleaning and fixing, to make the story short I broke the front of the case and almost broke the internal parts of the computer so that same night at about 12AM I went to the apple store and bought the macbook with my school discount and then upgraded my ram on my own to 4GB. Like I said, it always works and I can run windows with it like was made for mac or better.

__________________
Simple steps to make your pc faster
Linux Beginner's Guide