christinaB

I much prefer Macs to PCs...but I want to concentrate in Biomedical Engineering. Does anyone know if I'm going to need to use software for some of my classes that only works on PCs? This is what I've heard from some of my friends who are doing Engn. at other schools. Also, if there is engineering software that's not compatible with my Mac, is there any way I could go to a computer lab to use the software? Is this do-able? In other words, is it a pain to have to go to the comp. lab to use the software all the time?

modestmelody

There are separate computer labs for engineers.

I'm not in engineering, but in chemistry, specifically, there are some programs that to this day work better on Mac/Unix than on Windows.

40% of our campus is Mac and that number is rising (or maybe it was 40% of freshman use Mac and that number is rising)...

Anyway, comparing the software lists form PC and Mac http://software.brown.edu/dist/sw-mac.html

I don't see anything that you couldn't use on a Mac (or some equivalent) for PC that you'll be able to use from home. Some of the more specific programs are too expensive to buy licenses for all students and will probably only be available in Barus and Holley.



Beyond that, if it was really a problem, you can run Windows on a Mac better than most PCs can run Windows, so just dual boot Windows and OSX if OSX is more comfortable for you.

christinaB

wow, that was extremely informative. thanks for the info!