New to Autocad - PC or Mac?

[micyoung21]

I am new to autocad .. New as in I've never used it before. I am about to get a new laptop and will be using for autocad. What is the best computer to buy for this pc or mac and why. The VA is paying for it that doesn't matter I just need to know what would be the best option. Thanks in advance

[ROBP]

cad on a mac hummmm never used it never seen it at work either.

Maybe other members can comment on the mac issue

[RobDraw]

I'm a PC fan. MACs are quality machines but are generally more expensive for the same performance.

 

AutoCAD for MAC has been around for at least a couple of years. It has it's fair share of problems but you will have trouble getting forum help for MAC related issues. IMHO, stick with the PC version unless there is some other reason for needing a MAC.

[ReMark]

There are infinitely more PCs running AutoCAD than Macs. Go to the AutoDesk website and take a look at the PC vs. Mac feature comparison chart to see what the differences are between the two programs. Maybe that will help you decide. While you are at it look up the recommended system specs for both. Remember that the specs will be the "minimum". Shoot for something above those specs.

[Cad64]

I have renamed this thread to something more appropriate. The original thread title of "newbie" was not really very descriptive.

 

See item #3: http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?23105-How-do-I-make-a-post

[micyoung21]

thanks for the advice as well as the the note of my poor choice in a title

[f700es]

Another PC fan here. I also would just stick with a PC for AutoCAD use. I guess the real question is what will you be using AutoCAD for? If you are going to look at other AutoCAD vertical products, Revit or Inventor then a PC is the way to go as there are no OSX versions of the products. If you are looking for a laptop that is stylish like a mac then there are options out there. The Dell XPS 15 is every bit as powerful as a macbook and with screen resolution higher than a retina based macbook.

Also remember that AutoCAD likes to have a dedicated graphics card and an Intel based graphic solution just won't cut it.

Good luck

[tzframpton]

Most Autodesk software (who owns AutoCAD) is PC based. Go PC based if you want the best compatibility and price-to-performance ratios in terms of pure hardware.

[JD Mather]

Forget AutoCAD for a minute.

 

How much do you know about Mac OS?

How much do you know about Windows OS?

 

What is your intended field of study/work?

[f700es]

What I was asking for as well JD. Let's look at the big picture before making a purchase. I mean OSX is not hard to use, it's just different. It has some advantages and it has some disadvantages. There are a few OSX only programs out there but most can be replaced with some Windows equivalent.

[Bogbadbob658]

I tested out AutoCAD on a mac a couple of years ago and at that time AutoCAD on a mac was not the same as on a pc. It was a stripped down version with a lot of the commands and options missing or different. Also it didn't have all the AutoCAD software available. Most people I know who use AutoCAD on a mac use the dual boot up option thingy (sorry for the technical term :/)were you can boot it up in windows mode and run AutoCAD that way. although to me it seems to defeat the object of using a mac if it's in running in windows mode (but what do I know).

 

My advise would be to first checkout if AutoCAD software for the mac has caught up with pc version.

 

Something else (if somewhat trivial) to consider is are you going for a multi-screen setup? If so, can you get a screen that would fit in nicely next to a mac?