Should I go mac?

I really want to get a Macbook next month, but problem is, the institute I'd be studying in this September only offers Windows programs for the program I'm taking. I'd be programming in C++, Java, and C# mainly. Does Macintosh computers have compilers for such languages? Sorry if this sounds terribly idiotic.

Thanks!

 

Perhaps you'll be able to dual boot since Apple stated they are not doing anything to prevent anyone fron installing Windows.

 

Yes - Windows XP (and probably Vista) will run on Apple hardware alongside OS X. However there is much speculation about how third-party dual-boot software will be developed to let a user choose between OSes.

 

But everything will be sorted out by September for sure right?

 

We don't know - it could take weeks or months or years before third party software is made to support this. I really don't know any other practical way to boot the OSes than this one, so installing Windows on Mac wouldn't really do anything but take up space on the HD.

 

C++ and Java should be no problem in Mac OS X... Just use the Open Source compilers.

C# is an entirely different matter, you're going to need Windows for that. There are Open Source C# compilers, but they're not very good.

 

yeah, xcode will do alot of languages. At the very least a person could use the virtual pc software(?) it would be faster now no?

 

virtual PC will not run on rosseta as roz ho stated in the keynote at macworld...

There will be a virtual pc released to run native on intel macs...its just no one is sure when yet...

You have a better chance using PC apps with XP/vista...

I can almost gaurantee you that when more imacs and macbooks are recieved by people someone will find a way to put XP on it even though it doesnt support EFI...

 

Im in the same position as u, aka C++, Telnet etc...

 

Thanks for the input guys! Doesn't look to be such an irrational buy afterall. One last thing I'm curious about though. With Apple's move to a new 64-bit OS this fall (expected release date for the new Merom CPU), would Yonah be unable to run new programs designed for this operating system? Since I'm planning to keep my laptop for at least a year and a half, that's all I'm worried about.

 

Apple, like MS, is probably going to release a 32-bit version to appease their consumers, as most of them are going to be running machines with 32-bit CPUs (not everyone is going to run out to their local Apple store and buy a new desktop/notebook with a 64-bit CPU). The G5 CPU in older iMacs/PowerMacs is a hybrid, meaning that it is both 32-bit and 64-bit, whereas the new Yonah CPUs are not.

 

hmm I don;t know...I'd just get a good PC, simply because of the compatibility of programs!

 

Virtual PC or VMWare will probably have enough info released by this summer for you to know the probability of running windows on the macbooks. I think it's highly likely that they'll get it sorted out by fall, but until their developers actually get their hands on the new machines, we won't know for sure. Folks are playing their cards kind close to the vest right now, but the information will open up quickly. There's too much entreprenurial opportunity available to let this pass.

 

Apple's coding tools are pretty nice. I would keep tabs on people trying to get XP working on the iMac. Once it is understood how that will work you will probably be able to have the best of both worlds.

Get a big HDD though.

 

i'd probably wait till merom and vista come out before deciding on a mac

 

Mac users won't be hit as badly as Windows users when the 64-bit transition comes though, so I wouldn't be too worried.