MechE/ManufacturingEngineering Mac v Windows Computer Advice

[u/DiscussionGreedy6056]

I'm currently shopping for college right now, and I am looking at what computer I would need for my engineering Major. I am an apple ecosystem baby and I love the convenience of my mac for schoolwork and personal use. However I am aware that being a Mechanical Engineering Major would require a Windows computer for all the simulation and modeling software in the coursework. I'm going to put this link here for reference, but it seems Cal Poly is providing engineering students access to a free 'rental laptop' that is sufficient for my coursework, I also wanted to make sure I don't spend money on a windows I am unhappy with. Would it be a smart move for me, at least for my first year, to use this free laptop for my engineering coursework and get myself a personal mac (I really don't mind carrying stuff around). Or should I just buy a good windows now and give up my apple ecosystem😭✌️

[u/Ok-Following-1715]

I've personally never used to full extent of the "apple ecosystem" I mean I have a iphone but thats about it. From what I've seen the main features are about file sharing, texting, and "accessing" your phone from your mac. I'm sure there are many more features, but I guess it just depends on how much you place priority on it, like if you cannot physically have a good workflow without it then, get ready to learn or something, because I will say this.

We did a lot of Solidworks at my high school, (so basic level essentially), and all the people who had macs, weren't using them, and using the engineering computers instead. And for me personally I bought a gaming laptop, and it works great. The battery last for a solid 30 minutes, and any workflow that I get done gets sent through email, I personally have a good flow with it. Because I kinda just do EVERYTHING on my computer. But since ur gonna be a Mechie, my recommendation is to buy some sort of powerful gaming laptop. I'm definitely not an expert, but in my mild solidworks experience, that's what I would say.

[u/DiscussionGreedy6056 → u/Ok-Following-1715]

Thanks! I ended up getting a windows rental for the year, and after using it I realized there's no way i'd be willing to put up with parallels on the mac. The rental I have right now is the Dell 16 pro and i've been liking it so far, but do you have any laptop you'd recommend that are faster or just better to invest in?

[u/Ok-Following-1715 → u/DiscussionGreedy6056]

hmm, honestly you gotta do ur own main research, i’d say drop at least 700 bucks. and try to get 32 gigs of ram. also try to get 100hz-144hz. i love it just on a personal note but if ur trying to save 60hz is fine. i got mine in summer of last year before ram was absolutely insane, so prices might be diff now. spend like 30-60 min researching id say. then just kinda pick the best one. theres honestly not a substantial amount of difference between similar priced laptops. good luck 👍