Should I get a MacBook Pro for Engineering Classes

Hi,

If you're mostly going to be using Windows apps, and while you can use Windows with Boot Camp or Parallels, etc., I have to say I'd recommend a Windows machine. If, however, you don't mind running mostly Windows on a Mac, and paying the premium for a Mac, and you'd feel much better using a Mac when you don't have to use Windows apps, I'd definitely get a Mac.

My son will graduate in about two weeks with a degree in Computer Engineering. He used a 2012 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro until his senior year. He did all programming in Terminal, but there were things that he had to do on Windows computers located in the department. As he lived in campus family housing, it was not too bad until his senior year. The amount of work required on Windows increased a lot and he was, for a husband and father of two, spending too many late nights in the Eng. labs. Also he did not have enough free space on his MBP hard drive to install Windows via BootCamp or a virtual machine. He ended up buying a cheap Win laptop to finish his degree work.

As others have already offered, the only people who can give you a definitive answer are the Eng Dept staff at the university you plan to attend.

There are different and newer features on these latest model MacBook Pro series

that may be worth considering before purchasing one of them. The new Touch Bar

and Touch ID gets rid of the top row of keys (programmable in older model) and

the new model has USB-C 'Thunderbolt' spec ports and will not have MagSafe DC

power adapters. So these have been an issue with those users who do not wish to

have to adapt their old peripherals, or buy new ones, to use the USB-C Thunderbolt

3.1+ connections. Also some issue had been reported with certain display adapters.

https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/

Look at the purchase of this hardware from a practical and functional point of view

and not just any wow-factor that unit may generate from peers who may want one.

An older model that still has standard USB ports may still be available in online store.

But I didn't see one in new 15-in specs https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs/

Or consider their 'Refurbished and Clearance' selection direct from Apple store online.

Where available, the 'Refurbished MacBook Pro - Apple Certified' section may do nicely.

Not all USB-C ports & accessories are created equal nor intended for equal usefulness.

The data speed and information types vary depending on original purpose of connectors.

You could also look to older 2015 model still in online store page at apple.com for details:

13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro (2015) View Tech Specs

These still offer conventional USB ports and Thunderbolt ports.

In either event, the new models require you to advance purchase the upgrade level you'd

prefer, because they're not directly upgradable by the end user. While some may be able

to later on have the solid-state storage upgraded by an AASP, that may be untimely.

To see end-user upgrade in SSD/pci-e or other a model may sustain, you could look into

owc macsales and check into upgrade by model, or by product. If available, they'd list it.

The Apple Store online custom-order section possibilities are viewable in Buy Now section.

In any event...

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

I would suggest that you contact the department in charge of the major you will be studying and ask them the types of applications that you will be using and what is the best option, Mac or PC.

Ciao.

Hello MageNiema,

Don't forget that a modern Mac can also run Windows via BootCamp or a Virtual Machine program like VMWare, Parallels, or Veertu.