My son is entering college this fall, at Ohio University. Needs a computer, MAC of PC?

For the most part, it really doesn’t matter. All things being equal, go with the one which your son is more familiar with.

There are a few things worth noting. In the business world, Windows is the king of the mountain when it comes to OSes. And the cheapest and simplest Windows machines are PCs (recent Macs can also run Windows, but by and large this is something you have to do by yourself). Macs, on the other hand, are famous for being dominant in computer graphics and publishing industries.

From a more personal perspective, I’ve noticed that Macs tend to be pretty wide-spread in the sciences (I am currently at a conference on cosmology, and Macs probably outnumber PCs 2:1 or so). One advantage that Macs have in the sciences, and particularly computer science or engineering, is that they are very good machines to do programming on. Like Windows, they have a polish graphical interface, but like UNIX or Linux machines they also have a UNIX command line, which is an environment very conducive to programming. When I started studying computer science, this became something of a god-send. This capability is also available on Windows, but it requires a fair amount of effort to set up.

My final note is that if you’d prefer Windows, were looking at getting a machine that was something other than the bargain basement PC for super cheap, and have some technical confidence (or know someone who does), Macs are an option for running Windows which can give you the best of both worlds, and for a similar performing computer, the price of a Mac and a PC are about the same (with the caveat that in order to run Windows on the Mac, you’d need to buy a copy and install it yourself, using Apple’s Boot Camp software).

If he a graphic design major (or similar field) a Mac is the way to go since it is usually the preferred machine for graphics-intensive applications. For almost everything else, a PC is probably better.

I’m a college professor and I know of Mac-user students that have problems with certain class-specific programs in business (e.g., statistics programs that come packaged with the textbook) and also with some of the features of electronic classrooms used for online and Web-assisted classes.

I’d ask a few professors or advisors in his major field what they use…in most this will be a PC, but in some, Mac is the preferred machine!

Depends: is he an Art major (or graphic designer, etc.)? If so, Mac is the way to go. If not, a PC will do just fine (they’re less expensive as is the software).

You may also want to consider the Macs that run Windows programs. Here’s a page from Apple that may be helpful: http://www.apple.com/getamac/windows.html

That may depend on what he is studying. Even schools which are very PC-oriented (probably the majority of universities), there are some subject matters, like design, which are handled better on MACs. If he knows what he wants to do, check with the department as to his needs. If not, contact the admissions office to see if they have a preference.

YOu need to check with the school and see if they have a preference.

Some schools are Mac and some PC

Generally PCs offer more compatibility with software that is often used, like Power Point

Go with a PC laptop. Even though macs are sleek and harder to get viruses with, you can get a comparable PC for way less money.

With a mac, you’re paying for the Apple name 🙂

i just got a mac and i love it!! but it really depends on what your son is doing…even if hes not majoring in art but he has alot of pics and stuff and is really into entertainment than mac is the better choice..but pcs are great too…but i have had alot of problems with pcs ( viruses)..etc…

If his degree is in art or desktop publishing–then go Mac. Otherwise it depends on which software he will be using.

I prefer MacBooks – they’re really good! Works for me!

MAC