Crazy question! I'm a new doctoral student in need of a new computer and am wondering if any other students have opinions on a PC or a MAC? I currently have PC's but have heard good things about MACs but worry about having problems running any testing programs or other things as I go through my doctoral program! Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks!!
Computer questions
- Thread starter DrMom2
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For most people I don't think it makes a big difference, its really just a matter of personal preference. Its easier to set a Mac up to run Windows than a PC to run Mac OS. On the other hand Macs are far more expensive. They look cool if that matters to you (I couldn't care less). If your lab runs one or the other, that may be a good choice to avoid any possible compatibility issues.
Personally, I do not like Macs. I think they are fantastic for people who are not huge computer geeks - you get great stability now that the OS is Linux based, there are nowhere near the security issues, etc.. However, I am a gigantic geek and for the most part, that = PC. Part of Mac stability and security comes from greater limitations - great for people who aren't sure how things work, not so good for those of us who know how to change things without breaking it. If I can't rip a computer apart, swap parts, alter my system settings, etc. I get irritated. Heck, I don't even buy retail PCs anymore because they always come with at least a few parts I don't like and to change those I have to change something else and it just ends up being a mess. I am in a very technology-heavy lab where I have to do a fair bit of software programming and similar work - almost all the software I use for this runs on Windows only, so there is no point in me paying twice as much for a Mac if I'm just going to boot into Windows every time anyways. That said, I am probably the exception rather than the rule so I recognize that for most people it is a fine choice.
Not sure if that helps any. When in doubt, you can boot into Windows with a Mac so don't worry too much about compatibility in that direction. Whether the price is worth it is an individual call. Whether a Mac would suit your needs really depends on the kind of work you do.
Personally, I do not like Macs. I think they are fantastic for people who are not huge computer geeks - you get great stability now that the OS is Linux based, there are nowhere near the security issues, etc.. However, I am a gigantic geek and for the most part, that = PC. Part of Mac stability and security comes from greater limitations - great for people who aren't sure how things work, not so good for those of us who know how to change things without breaking it. If I can't rip a computer apart, swap parts, alter my system settings, etc. I get irritated. Heck, I don't even buy retail PCs anymore because they always come with at least a few parts I don't like and to change those I have to change something else and it just ends up being a mess. I am in a very technology-heavy lab where I have to do a fair bit of software programming and similar work - almost all the software I use for this runs on Windows only, so there is no point in me paying twice as much for a Mac if I'm just going to boot into Windows every time anyways. That said, I am probably the exception rather than the rule so I recognize that for most people it is a fine choice.
Not sure if that helps any. When in doubt, you can boot into Windows with a Mac so don't worry too much about compatibility in that direction. Whether the price is worth it is an individual call. Whether a Mac would suit your needs really depends on the kind of work you do.
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You will also want to know what stats program your department and advisor use. For me, even though my department uses SPSS, my advisor (and hence, me) uses SAS. SAS does not run on Mac.
Also, if you are comfortable with Windows, I don't see a huge need to change. If you are just learning computers, a Mac may be easier. I actually purchased a Mac on eBay about a month ago to try it out... I have already re-sold it on eBay.
That is just me. That being said, I am also a big computer guy like Ollie. I build my own desktop computers and I buy laptops that are easy to take apart. Macs are often not easy to take apart.
Also, if you are comfortable with Windows, I don't see a huge need to change. If you are just learning computers, a Mac may be easier. I actually purchased a Mac on eBay about a month ago to try it out... I have already re-sold it on eBay.
That is just me. That being said, I am also a big computer guy like Ollie. I build my own desktop computers and I buy laptops that are easy to take apart. Macs are often not easy to take apart.
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Get whichever you're comfortable with. You can run windows on a Mac so Ned windows for specialized software should not be a problem.
And I don't agree at all that macs are for the non-geeks and you can't tweak it like a windows comp. Of course with laptops and something like an iMac that's the case where it's just not practical or possible to change/upgrade certain hardware pieces, but you'll run into similar issues with a windows laptop.
Some of the most "geekiest" and computer savy people I know use a mac because they can do tons of things by accessing the the unix root/prompt.
Unless you use software that absolutely needs PC hardware for some reason then it doesn't really matter what you get. If you're on a strict budget then a windows pc is still probably going to give you more bang for the buck.
And I don't agree at all that macs are for the non-geeks and you can't tweak it like a windows comp. Of course with laptops and something like an iMac that's the case where it's just not practical or possible to change/upgrade certain hardware pieces, but you'll run into similar issues with a windows laptop.
Some of the most "geekiest" and computer savy people I know use a mac because they can do tons of things by accessing the the unix root/prompt.
Unless you use software that absolutely needs PC hardware for some reason then it doesn't really matter what you get. If you're on a strict budget then a windows pc is still probably going to give you more bang for the buck.
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SAS does run on Macs. SPSS does, too, but you run into some compatibility issues if your transferring things from PC to Mac. Version 17 of SPSS is compatible with both Macs and PCs but I don't think the newer versions are compatible with Macs.
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SPSS incompatibility (back when I bought the laptop before this one) was the main reason I stayed PC. I was tempted to run a Hackintosh, but I stuck 1 more round with Dell. I have a Macbook Pro now, and I don't think I'm ever going back.
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I have a Mac and just run Windows via Parallels when needed. I love my Mac!!
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I have a Macbook Pro and I love it! If you don't want to pay for Parallels, you can use Virtual Box to load Windows. That's what I do when I use SPSS. And I def. don't agree that Macs are only for "non-geeks."
