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Mac or PC At Boarding School

Zach042Zach042 1 replies1 threads New Member
in Prep School Cafe
I have recently been accepted into the Phillips Exeter Academy, and will be needing a laptop. I built my own desktop (PC) that I've used for many things that require a strong computer such as 3D modeling/rendering, astronomy work, video games, video editing, game development, and AI development. I personally prefer PCs because in most cases you can buy a PC with a stronger CPU and GPU than a mac, but I am unsure whether or not any classes require the use of a mac. Also, do most students use macs? I don't want to be the one guy with a PC.
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Replies to: Mac or PC At Boarding School

  • YoungThriverYoungThriver 468 replies45 threads Member
    Congratulations!

    To my knowledge, MacBooks are not required but are the most commonly used laptops at PEA. If you really don’t want to be the only guy with a PC and can afford a MacBook, then feel free to buy a MacBook.
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  • vegas1vegas1 639 replies3 threads Member
    I would go with what you are most comfortable with. 3 of our kids had Macs while at PEA and one had a PC. Honestly, it was never an issue for classes or socially. Our PC loving kid stuck with a new PC when he started college last fall. He had similar interests to you and preferred a PC for the same reasons.
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  • Zach042Zach042 1 replies1 threads New Member
    Thank you for your helpful addition to this thread! I am glad to know that although most students use macs, there are those (like me) who prefer PCs. I will follow your advice and go with what I am most comfortable with (PC).
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  • Golfgr8Golfgr8 1636 replies24 threads Senior Member
    Many schools provide laptops to students.
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  • gardenstategalgardenstategal 6674 replies10 threads Senior Member
    You may want to check on what tech the school supports, if it matters that you have support. It will be helpful to have a laptop, though.
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  • HMom16HMom16 801 replies19 threads Member
    While many kids have Macs, also consider the classes you plan to take. My kid has a Mac but had issues in his technical classes (AI, CS, Robotics). While these issues weren't insurmountable, they did delay things a bit and required extra research and effort to overcome.
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