<p>I kind of want a Mac. I have never used one, but I’m sure I would get used to it over the summer. Will the Mac be able to run all the required programs?</p>
<p>Yep. From what I hear, both a PC and a Mac will handle the programs just fine.</p>
<p>You know with a modern Mac (with Intel processor, last 4-5 years) you can install and run Windows anytime you need to. You just hold down a keyboard combination when you reboot. With software like Parallels, you can run Windows with a window while running the Mac OS – this you would have to buy separately, however.</p>
<p>PC will be cheaper.</p>
<p>FWIW, just got a thinkpad i5 2nd gen, 14" nb for <700. I think a Mac would at least 1000 and probably more.</p>
<p>There is no reason why an engineering student shouldn’t buy a Mac. As a user of both PCs and Macs, I can tell you that the old adage, “you get what you pay for” applies. You can get a PC for cheaper, but when you look at the software and features that are included with a Mac, its user friendly interface, its lack of viruses and any corresponding need to buy and update anti-virus software, it’s superior tech support and its superior dependability, a PC is no bargain. If it isn’t already, a computer will become very important to you as a college student. If you can purchase a computer that minimizes your chances of future problems (i.e. viruses, hardware, software problems) it is well worth the investment. In any event, to directly answer your question, you can safely buy a Mac and run any program you will need as an engineering student.</p>