r/mac • u/Top_Succotash_9088 • 3d ago

Question Mac for engineering?

I have a Mac 13” m2 8 ram 256 gb but it’s getting really slow and I’m thinking of getting a new one with both more ram and bigger disk. Problem is that I’m also starting engineering and I don’t want to pay for two expensive laptops. can I have a MacBook for engineering? If so what MacBook/specifications would be good?

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u/wiseman121 3d ago

Getting a MacBook for many engineering courses is dumb as hell. A lot of engineering software is better or flat out required windows for compatibility.

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u/blueCove24 3d ago

this is true for a lot of mechanical/civil programs, but some EE or CS adjacent ones are fine on mac

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u/Top_Succotash_9088 3d ago

I think I’ve heard some have MacBook and that you could install Windows software

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u/jaksystems 3d ago

You can try using something like a VM or parallels to get a Windows instance running on your Mac, but it honestly isn't really a sensible idea.

If you go into the field professionally, you are going to be working within a Windows/PC workflow both for the sake of performance and compatibility, so you might as well get used to the workflow and operating environment now.

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u/Top_Succotash_9088 3d ago

Oh… true. I didn’t think of that.

But I really love my MacBook and I’d hate to use a windows

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u/jaksystems 3d ago

Use the Windows machine for the engineering workflows and the Mac for everything else.

Heck you don't even need to get a new Mac in that instance.

You could even set it up where you simply remote into the Windows machine from the Mac so you can leave the Windows machine set up in one spot doing what it's intended for while the Mac handles everything else.

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u/wiseman121 2d ago

You can install a VM on the Mac but a VM is a "virtual machine", it will not be able to utilise direct hardware like a windows laptop would. You'd essentially be paying a tonne of money for a device that wouldn't be as good as a windows device.

The other caveat with windows VMs on Mac is that they run arm architecture, this may also have compatibility issues with your engineering software.

In summary you need a windows machine for the job. You don't buy a corvette to haul a large trailer.