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Porsche-AG · Post by **Porsche-AG** » 26 May 2009, 06:34

I see, so is this OS free?

baumaxx1 · Post by **baumaxx1** » 26 May 2009, 09:09

Apple PCs are just PCs... they just have the brand name and are more fashionable. OSX will run on anything.

But yeah, basically shop around, see what fits your price range, look at the specs you want, look into brand quality.

In terms of what you need for engineering... I study mechanical engineering myself.

Here's some of the stuff I need to use:

MATLAB: Mathematical modelling, simulation, computation. CPU intensive. Multi-cores are better.

DevC++: C and C++ programming tool. Programs won't be complex, so this will be fine on any half decent PC made in the last decade, lol... or maybe a bit less.

CAD: Again, a reasonable amount of memory, good CPU, and a decent graphics card will serve you fine.

But yeah, simulation and computation is a big thing. Other programs are likely to come up for fluid dynamics, stress analysis, etc. So a good CPU, reasonable amount of memory should be fine, and decent graphics will help with CAD.

About graphics... here is a list of regular gaming cards supported by autocad: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/hc ... 12&os=2048

9600M cards seem to be supported by CAD programs... but yeah check. Still, you can always use the uni computers if you have access to them and want a bit more performance. You might even find that the PC requirements might not be so intensive.

But basically, you're looking at a quick laptop, so Dual core, 3-4GB ram, dedicated graphics (that support open GL properly).

Just out of curiosity... the GTX280s and 260s run the same drivers? I noticed autocad is ok with the 280s.... so does that mean the 260s will work =-S

About operating systems... Windows still does everything I need to, but you need to be familiar with linux.

peterfaj · Post by **peterfaj** » 26 May 2009, 13:59

baumaxx1 wrote:Apple PCs are just PCs... they just have the brand name and are more fashionable.

Well said. And it's funny that they bash PCs, so they bash Macs at the same times. But they also indirectly say that Macs are infinitely fast, strong and reliable and stuff, because they're better than themselves.

korge · Post by **korge** » 26 May 2009, 17:21

Well said baumaxx.

I would also add that given that they are similar, You would not give a PC suite to a team of commercial photographers or video editors and you would not give a Mac suite to a secretary or videogame dev team. Its sorta Apples and Oranges.

Different people are used to different OS's. This is why Windows serves the larger base while Apple is such a niche market that they bash PC to increase sales in the highend market.

Other than that, Mac's are just over glossed PC's that sell on image only.

Starbucks + MacBook = Self Esteem Fail

Porsche-AG · Post by **Porsche-AG** » 27 May 2009, 02:35

Thanks for the info there, baumaxx1. Obviously, there are going to be differences according to regions so I'll have to see for myself. I won't be taking any CAD courses, so that website you linked won't be useful to me though I appreciate it. From what you say, the 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo and GeForce 9400M card should be sufficient.

@ peterfaj/korge: Yes, and that's why I don't believe in iPods or iPhones. However, seeing as how I'm not as computer-literate as many others on this forum, I am also looking for simplicity for a laptop that I'll have to use everyday, and I think it's safe to say that an Apple would fulfill those requirements better than a Windows-based PC.

Plus, I have to shamefully admit that a MacBook is more appealing to women than a Windows-based laptop, and I do take that into account.

baumaxx1 · Post by **baumaxx1** » 27 May 2009, 04:02

Yeah, won't be bad... a quicker processor and 4gb of ram won't hurt, especially if you plan to hang onto it for a while. And about the mac being simpler... I'm lost in a nion windows PC, lol.... but... I have a mac-style dock\bar for windows, lol. Works a treat.

Porsche-AG · Post by **Porsche-AG** » 27 May 2009, 04:54

It'll hurt the wallet. And I'm not even sure how long I'm going to hold onto it for, but probably at least a few years. Strictly university machine though, no (major) gaming or anything like that.

I actually just ordered the MacBook, and for the most part I'm going on the advice of non-commission employees at Best Buy so I'm sure I made the right decision.

peterfaj · Post by **peterfaj** » 27 May 2009, 05:27

Porsche-AG wrote:Plus, I have to shamefully admit that a MacBook is more appealing to women than a Windows-based laptop, and I do take that into account.

Heh. Someone found out how to get that effect for small money.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJZlSCOLiuw I just found it in related videos, lol.

Stereo · Post by **Stereo** » 27 May 2009, 05:55

Porsche-AG wrote:I see, so is this OS free?

No, it is legit Mac OS X Leopard that is converted through a program in which you can install kexts/drivers that suit your PC.

korge · Post by **korge** » 27 May 2009, 15:11

Like we all say, Apple markets their products as being "Just better" without actually proving it. We can compare specs all day and wind up with the same results, but the fact of the matter is that people buy Apple products mainly on stereotype alone.

Who really buys a MacBook for anything other than internet surfing and making up for their lack of confidence with the ladies? :p j/k bout that last part, right?

Porsche-AG · Post by **Porsche-AG** » 28 May 2009, 03:36

Yes, I was joking about that last part. But on the other end of the spectrum, I wouldn't want to be seen with an Alienware computer haha.

Carcrazy · Post by **Carcrazy** » 30 May 2009, 07:07

Has anyone picked up SP2 for Windows Vista? I honestly didn't even know it was out until I decided to check Windows Update. =O

Meanwhile, the internet here at the beach is amazing. I was able to fix a problem with a neighbor's signal overlapping a few others on the same channel, so now I can get internet anywhere in the house, with 5Gbps download speeds, too! \o/

baumaxx1 · Post by **baumaxx1** » 31 May 2009, 09:39

Nah, not now... min HDD speeds have suffered very badly. Until it gets fixed I'm not swapping. About Vista... is it normal to have 0 gig free, about 5.1 GB cached, 30% in use, on a fresh system? I was installing my anti virus, and the thing is that the free memory never returned... Performance was fine though...

Carcrazy · Post by **Carcrazy** » 01 Jun 2009, 06:26

You mean memory? As in you are using it all?

Anywho, finally managed to tether internet over to my lappy from my RAZR. Looked for a tut on google, found a "simple" one designed for Windows XP SP2. Said, 'to hell with this,' and set it up in under 2 minutes using Vista's built in tools.

I may be roaming ATM, but I am very, very impressed. =P

Booyah!

baumaxx1 · Post by **baumaxx1** » 01 Jun 2009, 12:44

Wow, that's much faster than mine and that's via a mobile >_<.

Yeah I meant RAM... there was like 5.2 + gig cached, 0 free.

Koenigsegg_Rox · Post by **Koenigsegg_Rox** » 01 Jun 2009, 14:03

Last night's MotoGP race at Mugello was pretty damn epic. Kudos to Stoner the Aussie for the win

bluestreak908 · Post by **bluestreak908** » 01 Jun 2009, 19:22

...abrupt change of subject
but i guess that's what this topic is about

Zero260 · Post by **Zero260** » 01 Jun 2009, 22:35

Anything is better than this PC bragging crap...

Post by **TheStig** » 02 Jun 2009, 00:17

That whole PC bragging crap, was getting rather annoying..... should be played out in the Hardware section anyway...

Koenigsegg_Rox · Post by **Koenigsegg_Rox** » 02 Jun 2009, 10:26

bluestreak908 wrote:...abrupt change of subject
but i guess that's what this topic is about

I didn't have anything to say on that subject, so I just changed the subject. Judging by the comments though I think I did the right thing

Stereo · Post by **Stereo** » 02 Jun 2009, 23:21

STFUPLZKTHX

In other news... I have a black eye because somebody threw a hard plastic bottle in my face as hard as they could, they were going to hit someone else but missed. lol...

Porsche-AG · Post by **Porsche-AG** » 02 Jun 2009, 23:30

Not exactly the most manly story to tell all the ladies who ask you where the black eye came from haha.

Stereo · Post by **Stereo** » 03 Jun 2009, 00:27

I'm not saying it hurt or anything, it's just a betch to walk around with a scratch under your eye and a black eye, lol, not to mention the annoying swelled-up cheek that keeps making me think my right eye is closed.

korge · Post by **korge** » 03 Jun 2009, 00:46

Stereo wrote:STFUPLZKTHX

I didnt know people still found that funny.

Porsche-AG · Post by **Porsche-AG** » 03 Jun 2009, 04:33

New sig.

NFSUnlimited.net

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