going to school for information technology, is buying a mac a bad idea?

i have been trying to find the perfect 14" pc for around $1000.00, but they all have something wrong w/ them

either:
crappy battery life, flimsy screen, poor quality screen, flimsy keyboard, terrible touchpad, severe heating issues, sketchy build quality, etc etc

i know Windows dominates the IT field, and i worry that if i get a mac that i'll forget my knowledge of windows? but i need a stable machine that is user friendly to get me through the rest of school...i dont have time/money to risk buying a lemon right now

the 13" macbook pro seems perfect w/ student discount and free ipod touch

i have a 2 to years to finish school, i plan on getting a career in networking, getting cisco ccna certification

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why i want a mac:
clean user friendly os, good build quality, good support (i can go to the store and get help), good touchpad/screen, nice looking system, easier to resell IMO

why i dont want a mac:
learning a new os, possibly forgetting some of my windows knowledge over time
_____________________
i plan on using my computer right now for school, editing photos w/ photoshop (i just bought a canon dslr), playing old school emulators like SNES

i bought an HP dm4, but the touch pad was terrible for my typing style so i wont consider an envy 14

i was looking at a acer 4820tg, but build quality is sketchy and screen qual isnt good


can anyone in the IT industry give me some advice/insight?

 

You probably won't "forget" how to use Windows. Not sure why you can't use a Mac in IT, though there may be reasons. I would be more concerned with being sure you have a strong enough computer for what you need to do.

I do Web Development and Design, but I use a PC (see sig). I was also considering a Macbook, but it was cheaper to buy my current rig (a lot cheaper).

 

thnx for the reply, my goal would to work as a network engineer, something along those lines

i worry that once i try to get entry level jobs doing something IT-related the interview process and job expectation may require me to prove some windows knowledge...bios, command prompts, windows configurations, etc. in 2 or so years of using the mac os i may lose some of that knowledge

for the actual network engineer type job i dont think they would need me to bring my own machine to work

the cheapest 13" macbook pro (from what everyone says) should be able to handle the tasks i will do on it and i think its a good price

 

I am surprised at your comment of there are no good PC's at your price range. Just look more at the business class as they will be more durable for carrying around.

I work in a windows based IT dept but have a mac for home. It is a totally different experience trying to work on it, not bad just different.

If I was going to school again, and needed my machine specifically to do projects I would probably wnat a windows based pc. Although when I was in school if anything had to be done it was usually done on a schools desktop/laptop so it did not really matter what machine I had.

Another fact is you can run windows as a virtual machine off of the mac.

 

thnk you for your response, i meant in the 14" $1000 category...the business lines that i look at from dell/hp seemed much pricier

it almost seems that every thread i go into about newer 14" laptops @ 1000.00, there are some sort of issues that people are complaining about

its making the search very difficult and im just over it, mac users seem pretty satisfied w/ their macbook pros

im considering windows options still, im lookin at sony right now, the sony ea model is below 1000.00 and have good specs

 

Every laptop has its drawbacks just like every car. Just have to find out whats right fot you. I have seen a few people get Macs and have problems as well.

Right now I am typing on a Dell E6400 now I did not buy it new but who cares. Fast, runs all OS's I would need it to, great screen, good enough battery life for me.

 

you are quite correct especially in a medium/large network environment CURRENT knowledge of the OS's in play on the network is crucial. when I hire I require CURRENT knowledge of 2KP to win 7 on desktop OS's, and NT server 4.0 all the way to server 2008. OSX is a bonus as well for me

depends on your employer, as I deploy a number of field technicians but I do supply Toughbooks or specialized systems. one of the other IT companies I work some projects alongside requires the individual to supply their own machine and pays a certain portion of the cost.

 

Apple is great, currently leaning toward one myself, but having just completed a three year Information Technologist diploma I have to say stay with a PC until you are finished. I watched others with Macs drop out due to difficulties. Mainly compatibility issues with tools used to teach the courses. It is possible, but it just adds a lot of extra work for you to do while trying to keep up. Teachers will also not wait for you to catch up, and this just results in more headaches. Stick with PC for now, and switch after, that is what I am doing.

Edit: I used a Toshiba for my three years in school, never an issue, extremely well built machines, with great support (that I only needed one and it was a U@K error).

 

so here is my advice , go with PC , take a look on Hp new models if you like the mac look , if you like the mac battery , take a look at the acer time line

some notes
- macs run hot ( u stated that u don't like hot laptops )
- you can run/install windows on a mac (but u won't like the experience ) , very high temps and low battery life on bootcamp
- alot of programming applications are not available for mac
- if you are going for Network/Cisco stuff then you should go with a PC , Cisco does not provide simulators/emulators for mac , u ll need this stuff to learn dealing with routers/switches without messing things up , while you are still a beginner

IF you like to get a mac anyway , you can purchase any normal laptop for around 300$ or little less, and buy a used or a refurbished/lightly used mac with the 700$, if you can push the 700 to an 800 or 900 then u ll get a new one , cheers

 

I'm in the computer information systems technology bachelors degree program at my local Uni as well (1 and a half more years to go!) and so far using a macbook pro it does everything just fine.

I just run windows via vmware fusion in one of the 6 spaces that I use on my Macbook Pro, no issues whatsoever.

Actually, sticking with a Mac helps you to efficiently use OSX, Windows and even Linux OS's via VMWARE Fusion.

 

if someone dropped out that had a Mac cuz they couldn't figure out what to do... they were most likely in the wrong choice of majors to begin with. "A lot of extra work" just depends how good you are. I can do "a lot of extra work" and still get done before anyone else in my classes using straight Windows... taking it easy doesn't help make you good.

Anyways, worst case, you can install and boot Windows 7 directly on your Mac and it works exactly like a normal Windows PC.... drop out cuz of having a Mac? I'd just die of laughter.

 

yeah mate, your better off buying a macbook pro 13 because of it's battery life and durability and putting on windows 7 using vmware or bootcamp, best of both worlds

 

It is just plain stupid to buy an expensive laptop that will create extra work for you, you could instead spend your time on other more productive or more fun things.

As previously mentioned, there are software compatibility problems and suggesting to just boot windows 7 on a mac and it will work exactly like a normal pc isnt exactly true. I am no expert but from reading the forums it is not a smooth experience using windows on mac cause they just werent designed to do so. Just a few issues is drivers and apparently the macbook pro goes very hot not to even mention battery life is reduced by at least half.

To the OP, I realise there is a huge hype around macbook pros and they look pretty and have lots of advantages, but from what you have written it may not be ur best choice. I would take a serious look at your windows based options and think about what you really need your laptop to do. If you need to learn Windows for your work and use windows based applications for your studies, dont get a macbook? You will just be shooting urself in the foot, and may disadvantage urself against ur peers. Just saying, the world out there is competitive and you dont stay at the top of the game and get good jobs by "creating extra work for yourself"...

If you dont need the windows OS for your studies or windows knowledge at your future job, then the macbook pro 13 is, in my personal opinion, the best in its class if you value portability, battery life, insurance cover and build quality. I am getting one for the previously mentioned reasons and cause I have no need for the windows OS.

 

I think the "extra work" argument was already countered by jjahshik32 quite well. No need for a rehash. I think the OP needs to really think about what system will be the best match for the situation. Windows or OS X would both seem to work fine.

 

There are lots of limitations when you run windows in a virtual machine in the IT field. E.g. When writing Windows CE code and "testing the code" on a virtual CE device, there will be compatibility problems. A virtual machine cannot be created under another virtual machine.

In the end, most people will use windows much much more than OSX just to be more compatible with other computers and software. If you absolutely wanted a Mac, you'd better off run windows as your primary OS and install Mac OSX in a virtual machine with slight modification. That way, you don't have to switch OS when you wanted to touch OSX and there's no performance loss and limitations on the windows side.

 

you should ask your school

 

^I agree. That's a great first step. Be sure that your school allows you to use Macs, see what programs are required and if they will work with OSX.

 

my point was... with how I wrote that... is that it isn't really extra work, you just have to know what your doing. It can be the same work, or actually less work, or actually work better overall for you, but it depends on you. If you can only do things by getting step by step directions... then you better stick with Windows... they make sure its all dumbed down that way. (no I don't mean dumbed down in a bad way). Bottom line... it depends on you. What might work great for one person, can be just the opposite for another, even in the same program.

 

Its just an exam, sign up and study, maybe buy some old routers for hands on experience; shouldn't affect your choice of operating system. (You are going for routing, aren't you?)

I do believe there's some router simulators for Macs floating around, a quick google turned this up: Alleged Mac OS router simulators

It's your personal laptop, no one cares what OS you use

Just.. maybe don't bring it to work... there're some in the field that will laugh you out.
(If this happens, I suggest the RHK; round-house kick )

 

It seems like your biggest issue with other 14-inch notebooks is hardware, while your biggest issue with the Mac is learning Mac OS X and whether that is compatible with the courses you're taking in IT.

I don't always recommend this, due to the extra cost, but if you're okay with it then you can always run Windows on your MacBook via Boot Camp or virtualization (Parallels and VMware Fusion) - that way you get all the hardware design advantages of the Mac hardware, and you're sticking to Windows!

 

i would say you should just get the hp envy 14, it starts at around 1000 and is very good. its more powerful than even the 17 inch mac, has a good build that even looks like the mac, and is cheaper than a mac. it should do you well... alot of ppl love them...

 

For me as I'm studying Computer Science, C++ is a lot better on OS X, it's faster, and they allow me to use it for everything, like the labs and home works X Code helps me a lot.

I don't really know about IT. But I think you can do everything using a mac, I will receive my 13" MBP Very soon! If you like any questions, you can PM me

 

If you buy a mac get a massive HD and triple boot it with windows, osx and linux. That way you're proficient in all three major OS. It's helpful later on when you get a job interview and they say they use OSX, or Windows, or Linux. You won't be denied because you have no idea how to use their OS of choice. they're not going to hire someone who has to first tackle a learning curve.

 

yup and if you can, snag AIX and Solaris too
knowing the main OS's are always a good thing when looking for work in IT

 

I also agree with this. Your school's preference would be my recommendation. You may also need to check with your specific dept. I went to Penn State and they allow and support both Macs & PCs on the school network. However being an electrical engineering student, the EE dept gave out free software to use but it was PC only. So if you had a Mac you were either SOL or had to deal with a VM which isn't ideal for simulation & CAD type software (it worked fine, just laggy).