<p>Call Kelley and ask if they have a preference. Certain majors will require certain types of laptops, (this is especially true in engineering and certain statistical packages where there may be no Apple equivalent). Most business applications have Apple friendly versions, but there is an outside chance that Kelley may use a software package that is PC-only. While bootcamp works, it doesn’t always work well. Occasionally bootcamp run PC-apps function more slowly and from time to time there are formatting issues, (I know because I have a Mac at home but my office uses PCs).</p>
<p>Macs have a better user interface and are superior for graphics/media applications. But, Apple fanboys aside, the business world is predominantly PC because of Microsoft Office, Outlook and products spun off or supporting them. Walk into most office buildings and you’ll be hard pressed to find more than 10% Macs and usually far less. Walk through an airport and scope out which laptops business travelers are using, it will be overwhelmingly PC.</p>
<p>That said, it is unlikely that the differences will affect you very much at Kelley. When you get a job, you’ll be given a computer for your desk and/or you’ll be handed a laptop; in other words, you won’t have a say in the matter.</p>
<p>Finally, you may want to consider the “Apple Tax”. The fact remains that for similar specs Apples just cost more, sometimes 15% more. The offset to this is that Apples are less susceptible to viruses and generally more stable, (though Safari is a POS - download Firefox day 1). Additionally, there are fewer options for accessories and as a result those also tend to cost more. It’s not a lot of money, but I just find it aggravating. I like Macs, this post was written on a Mac, but you should be aware that once you’re out in the real business world you’re probably going to be pecking away at a PC.</p>