Will Mac OSx run most engineering applications now?

Question

I'm considering buying a new computer to allow me to do work at home. I've been considering a Mac because from what I've read the operating system is much easier to use and I intuitively like the Apple design philosophy. Does anyone know how well OSx supports engineering computing software?

Answer 1

Macs are so much nicer to use than pc's, I have a mac for daily use, but for school (Mechanical engineering) I had to buy a pc. As far as I know allmost all commonly used engineering software is windows only. Mac has its alternatives (for example Vectorworks as a substitute for inventor), but buying a mac for engineering could obstruct your work.

You can run virtual pc on your mac, and thats okay for some simple apps (2D cad, programming apps etc), but its too slow for 3D cad/cam so you're better off buying a pc.
You could also go for those intel macs so you can run both pc and mac.
There ARE engineering apps for osX, but its the minority and if you're a student you'll need to use the apps they teach you and big chance most will be windows only.

The apps you need depends on your engineering field, this is what we use and none of them run on mac.
3D modelling: Autocad inventor professional, solidworks
2D: Autocad mechanical
Pneumatics/hydraulics: Fluidsim
programming: visual basic (runs on osx too I think)
PLC: microwin

Answer 2

There are rumors that Apple is making a computer that will run Windows programs "natively", because the newer computers have an Intel CPU and can execute the code directly.

I'd be REALLY suspicious and check out each of your applications to make sure they would run - I suspect that **Microsoft** will not support Windows on the Mac, even if Apple does (not just yet anyway) - this is all still pretty new.

Just the fact that the Mac has one mouse button and Windows relies on at least two would indicate there is a ways to go before you can run Windows-based engineering programs on a Mac without experiencing any problems. (Heck, Windows platforms have problems).

Some CAD software suppliers are moving to

Yes, the Mac is more reliable because each piece of software and hardware must be approved for use by Apple, but it is up to you to find out ahead of time whether ALL of your programs will run or not; don't rely on the idea you can just add a program later - it may not work.

The PC has gotten more reliable under XP (crashes are much fewer), and much less expensive. Considering the cost of computers has dropped so much, you could, in fact, buy a Mac and then if it didn't support the Windows program, buy a used PC and run the program on that. The should network together if yo needed to share files.

There's a lot of Linux based engineering computing software out there - the PC is good at running these too.

Its a good idea, just all very new, so be careful.

Answer 3

A Mac isn't precisely more beneficial effectual than abode windows. shifting into this argument is an entire waste of a few time because there is not any sparkling answer. Neither operating equipment is more beneficial effectual than the different. abode windows is a much more beneficial wide-spread operating equipment. also, it truly is way more beneficial customizable than a Mac yet do not forget that abode windows is a proprietary operating equipment. it truly is not an open source operating equipment. Macs are more beneficial closed than abode windows, yet Apple's declare is that a Mac is worry-free to apply. A Mac is more beneficial extreme priced than a computing gadget even if the money is properly-spent, a minimum of in my opinion. Mac computers take position to be very solid. also, their customer service is staggering. So the point is, neither operating equipment is genuinely more beneficial effectual. A Mac won't be able to be each and every little thing to all and varied and a computing gadget won't be able to be each and every little thing to all and varied. If a consumer must be able of personalize their computing device and play a large number of video games like call of responsibility, a Mac isn't for them. they are more beneficial effectual off with a computing gadget or Linux OS. If a consumer would not care about customization, a Mac may be an effective decision considering they don't ought to spend time with customization.