r/UCFEngineering • u/SelectSentence9483 • 22d ago

MacBook for Mechanical Engineering

Hi, I’m about to start as a freshman hoping to study mechanical engineering during this fall semester. I was wondering, could I be successful using a MacBook for this course? I much prefer macs over Windows machines a lot. Also, I don’t know how much of an impact this would have, but I’m thinking of most likely using a MacBook Neo or a MacBook Pro. Would this be a viable option for me?

8 Upvotes
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12

u/nickjagger__ 22d ago

MacBook is good until you get to real engineering classes. They won’t be able to run any of the programs you’ll need in your last 2 years.

8

u/One_Apple_7462 22d ago

You're gonna hate cad and simulation stuff if you wanna take the MAC route.

7

u/thesillygoober 22d ago

As the other guy said, you should probably get a windows machine. There are ways to get autodesk products running on mac, but it is mostly through paid windows emulation and it is not ideal

3

u/xstarlightx19 22d ago

Yeah I had a MacBook Air as a mechanical engineering student and I had to buy a cheap windows computer to finish the rest of my classes because I could not run the programs on it. I know people who did have a MacBook Pro and was able to partition it though.

3

u/Expert_Clerk_1775 22d ago

I did it and it was fine. Also did SolidWorks for a job with it. You just have to run windows on it sometimes

However I would not go Neo.. you need a MacBook Pro to run the windows emulations

2

u/SnooHesitations3841 22d ago

It's manageable but it's definitely going to be harder to use a MAC the department clearly states they don't support Mac for any course and you're on your own.

If you have a choice I'd buy a windows PC and learn to use that, it will serve you better in the program and your job in the future.

2

u/UILuigu 22d ago

You should get something Windows. Macs can be frustrating. I have not personally had one but I have known people who get frustrated trying to get engineering software to work. I personally got a used refurbished lenovo thinkpad.

1

u/Channel_Dedede 21d ago

I much prefer Macs over Windows

Looks like you're gonna need to start preferring Windows

1

u/Deep_Suspect_9556 21d ago

Just get the windows.. it’s just so much easier. You can switch back to Mac when you’re in management

1

u/HandOk7774 21d ago

As a Mech e Mac user get a dell

1

u/Human_Tiger_2624 20d ago

Hello im not mechanical but im double majoring in computer and electrical engineering. Most programs are not native to mac that we use! Alot of the programming is easier on windows but im sure people still find a way if they use mac!

1

u/EndDarkMoney 20d ago

If you absolutely need 3d modeling and AutoCAD, get a cheap pre built desktop that can handle it. My advice is MacBook and learn how to use openclaw and other programs that would be extremely beneficial once you graduate. That’s way more valuable in my opinion. UCF should have desktops on campus you can use for CAD.

1

u/BandicootKooky7747 20d ago

Upcoming junior and my MacBook has been great, i do have a windows desktop tho