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MAC or Windows laptop for MFE students?

Joined
4/15/11
Messages
19
Points
28
Could you give me some suggestions on what laptop to buy for the MFE study? I really prefer macbook pros, but excel doesn't work very well on them. Also, I worry about the compatibility of the file format to other student that I might do group project with. Is it easier to just use a windows computer? Thanks!
 
a lot of students from my programs use macbooks. With macbook and bootcamp, they can do everything.
 
The requirement for new Baruch students is a machine with at least 4GB of memory and a CPU that supports 64bit Virtualization.
 
Sounds good. I guess I can keep using Macbook pro then. Thank you everyone for replying :cool:
 
The requirement for new Baruch students is a machine with at least 4GB of memory and a CPU that supports 64bit Virtualization.
Do I need "Virtualization" if my machine has dual-boot (Win 7 64 bit and Ubuntu)? Is a 17' laptop too big to carry (if the specs are really good)?
 
You need virtualization because you will be downloading a 64bit VM with the operating system and pointing to the packages we would like you to use. It makes for a uniform environment for all the students.
 
I see. I thought we used virtualization because not everybody had Unix/Linux. Doesn't that make the system slower?
 
I just ordered a Lenovo laptop (x220t). I haven't taken delivery yet but it is small, versatile and has the latest cpu (sandy bridge i5) and awesome screen (IPS screen with multitouch and digitizer for note-taking). It is Win7 so not for Mac fans.
 
Do I need "Virtualization" if my machine has dual-boot (Win 7 64 bit and Ubuntu)? Is a 17' laptop too big to carry (if the specs are really good)?

yes u need virtualization and YES 17 is too big !! It was/is horrible time with my HP 16" and is on craigs list now !! :)
 
yes u need virtualization and YES 17 is too big !! It was/is horrible time with my HP 16" and is on craigs list now !! :)
so 14 in? thinkpad or MacBook Pro? Anyone at the Baruch Program is managing with a MacBook Pro?
 
I have a MacBook Pro. The other professor also have a MacBook pro.
 
me: I find Thinkpad the best among all laptops for tonnes of reasons. Well Mac has good battery life though !!
 
Too bad. I have a G73JW Asus (I7, 12 GB ram, VRAM 1.5 GB,....)Really good specs for programming and simulation...
 
again, if you are a new student coming into the Baruch program, get a laptop that supports 64bit Virtualization and have at least 4 GB of memory and the biggest hard drive you can afford in that model. Macbook pros will definitely work. I know some dells don't support virtualization.
 
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