Majoring in Computer Science, got a question

[shimmy]

Hi guys. I'm currently majoring in Computer Science at university, but I haven't gotten to any related classes yet (still getting my basic English and math, etc. out of the way).

I'm about to buy a new computer, and I was sort of leaning towards the new iMacs. I have used them on a number of occasions and am just extremely impressed, but my question is whether or not that is a good idea with my majoring in Computer Science. I would hate for having a Mac to have a negative effect on my education, if that makes any sense.

I've dealt a bit with programming on Windows XP, but that's all and it hasn't been a whole lot so I'm not sure what the situation is on the other side of the spectrum. Right now I'm currently using a 5 year old Dell Inspiron laptop, that has both Ubuntu and Windows XP (though I rarely boot Windows) on it. I was looking at the Ubuntu desktops Dell has, but I think when I get my new computer I'm just going to wipe this laptop completely and install the newest version of Ubuntu and run only that on it.

So anyway, that was a lot of talking for a relatively simple question: Is having an iMac going to be a problem for me while getting a Computer Science, and if so should I go with a new Windows Vista loaded machine, or what?

Thanks.

[DevilsCharm]

I think it will be easier to have Windows Vista, since Windows is the most popular operating system and that is probably the environment in which you will be learning.

[G_Morgan]

I'm doing a CS degree in Britain. We use Java for our work (unfortunately) and some of the course has already moved to Java 6. A Mac would be entirely unsuited for our purposes given this (no Java 6, got a few mates who have Macbooks and have basically wasted their money).

Depends on your course. A lot of courses use Java these days and if they use more modern features then a Mac will not suffice. At the very least I'd get parallels and consider keeping a Linux install around in case OSX doesn't support the language you need.

[G_Morgan]

I think it will be easier to have Windows Vista, since Windows is the most popular operating system and that is probably the environment in which you will be learning.

Doubt that will be an issue. CS courses are not about learning to use an OS or even how to program*. They are about the theory behind computation in general.

*the first being trivial, the second being more vocational hence not computer science.

//edit - then again I don't know enough about courses in the US. There is no need to be specific to Windows. I've presented all my coursework on Linux here. I've heard some US universities have special 'deals' with MS where they demand you use MS products though in exchange for what amounts to a bribe.//

[John]

that is probably the environment in which you will be learning.

95% of my university's computer science computing labs use a linux operating system.

[WingedPanther]

I would go talk with some of your CS professors and find out what tools you will need for their classes. If they expect you to have Visual Studio, for example, getting a Mac will hurt you a lot. If they expect you to use Linux, you may face the same problem.

[Xantara]

I agree with Winged, look at your class requirements for the next few years and talk to some older students. Depending on what languages you need or could take as electives, that will determine if a Mac would be useful or not. Although i was talking to a very veteran Mac Maint guy and he said that the new Macs will run both OS's side by side.

If your worried about Vista, from the working standpoint, we aren't allowed to touch anything Office 07 or Vista related until we see how it's going to affect our network, so i wouldn't be so worried about Vista right now. I would stick with XP, but that's also a personal opinion on top of work supporting my "anti-love" for Vista.

[monkey_instinct]

In my university programming is done on linux systems. The only thing you do on windows is C#. Linux is an excellent environment to program in so I suggest you pick it up, unless you are a microsoft fanboy.