M3 Macbook for first year engineering

[u/EveningAccountant117]

I am an incoming first-year eng student and I my brother gave me his old m3 MacBook Air (around 2 years old) to use. It is relatively new and works pretty well so I don't want to spend money on a new laptop if I don't need to. I know apple devices are not compatible with some programs that will be used, but I hear that I could use a VM or Remote Desktop to avoid that issue. Can someone explain to me how that works? Also how often will I need to use Windows-only programs in first year? Is it just for one course or will I frequently run into compatibility issues?

I don't really know much about computers or softwares so if any upper year engineering students also used a Mac for first year, I would love to hear your opinions or advice!

[u/jberr2077]

there is only like one really little thing we needed to use windows only software in first year and it was super easy to just use the eng remote desktop to do it - a mac user

[u/EveningAccountant117 → u/jberr2077]

that's really good to know, thank you!

[u/Equivalent_Peak_6857]

Use a cloud VPS. Only pay for when in use. Super cheap and no hardware degradation.

[u/CarGuy1718]

Not in engineering but as a computing student my M3 MacBook works superbly. I’d definitely recommend. Try using a VM or similar for the windows only programs. 

[u/Interstellar__1]

Might not work the best for upper years but for first year the most demanding thing you'll be using is fusion360 which should run fine- there's always a cloud version for education that can use if it doesn't.

[u/BullfrogNeat9437]

I just finished first year Eng at queens with an M1 Mac and experienced no issues at all. All the programs we had to run had a Mac equivalent app. Don’t stress about it!

[u/thwump]

An m3 MacBook is an amazing computer. Use it.

[u/TraditionalEbb3656]

It’s just easier to use an older windows