Engineering software. Should I buy a MAC?

Hi, people. This is my first post on this forum. Sorry, I didn't now exactly where to put this thread.
I'm engineering student, and I work in a company where I have to use diverse software tools for engineering... My tasks, both at the university and at the company, are related with mechatronics: some topics with mechanical design 3D, and others with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), robotics, communication, sensors... So, have to use the laptop with varied software (LabView, Solid Edge, AutoCAD,...), even in the future maybe I will need to use more specific programs, special drivers for devices and machines, etc., not so well-know like previous mentioned.
I'm thinking about buying a laptop, and the idea of acquire a MAC attracts me, due to its robustness and its very high graphic proccesing performance, I think ideal for those programs for 3D mechanical design. But, of course, the idea of leave Windows, have compatibility problems and begin learning a new OS frightens me. I don't know if I will find all this software I need (varied engineering software). And, if I don't find it, I don't know if my MAC will run slowly when I had to execute Windows parallely in it. Furthermore, I don't know where do I have to get the software I need (both these programs I already use, but in MAC version; and those analogous to these I use but own of MAC).
On the other hand, I don't if I will need many time to get used to this new OS, or maybe, I will use it with normally in few days.
So, is here anybody in a similar situation to me?; in general, what do you recommend me in my situation?, should I buy a MAC?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Francisco

I kind of have a similar question. I already own an imac and was wondering if there was any software of any sort that could be used as an equivalent for some of the software I'm using. I will be using bootcamp (already paralleling but not pleased with performance) for my school applications. But I'm hoping to use Leopard as often as possible. Is there ANY engineering programs (3D CAD, modelling, element analysis, stress visualizsers etc.) that I could use? if you don't know of any off hand do you know a place where I could find them?
And for Porras78, I love my imac. never regretted my decision to buy one for a second even with the compatibility issues with programs that are needed for engineering schooling. Some cool scientific programs out there. and the performance is outstanding. I highly recommend even with the pain of finding niche programs.
Thanks to all posters,

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I am on my 4th MB variant, and have only had one major issue, which was handled terrifically by Apple. However, I am not entirely without worry that an electromechanical device nmade by humans can't fail. That is why I also have had AppleCare on everything.
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MacMystie wrote:
Could you elaborate on connecting external drive to mac mini to back-up.
if you get an external HD (USB or firewire), just plug it into your Mac - time machine (TM) will ask you if you want to use this drive for backups.
see _*Time Machine 101*_ for information.
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see the _*Time Machine FAQ*_ user tip.
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JGG
edited by the Jolly Green Giant (where Green stands for environmentally friendly)

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Wasn't sure if this was the correct place to make this post. If not, please accept my apologies...
I have a 5-year-old Dell desktop with a 40GB HD and Windows XP. Am sure the HD will give up the ghost one of these days. I had put more memory (1GB) in it (which was “fun”) and noticed the HD would be “fun” to remove and replace as well. When the HD dies (or close to it; within the last year or so it’s had the “blue screen” come up, which scared me to death), I really don’t want to go through the hassle of replacing it.
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Plan to edit photos I’ve taken (with possibly PhotoShop Elements 6, which I haven’t bought yet), do email, Internet, documents, create projects (flyers, cards, etc.), stuff like that with the Intel Mac.
*I did find a refurbished Mini (starting bid at $399 & Buy it now for $450) from TCW Computers (Item #: 230368377067) currently on *bay that has the following:*
*# 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo processor*
*# 1 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM*
*# 80GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA Hard drive*
*# Slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) - Ports*
*# One FireWire 400 port (8 watts)*
*# Four USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)*
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*# Wireless - Built-in 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi (802.11g)*
*# Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit)*
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*# Keyboard & Mouse*
*(I would need the USB modem as I have dial-up.*
*I have asked them 2-3 times on if the HD has been replaced, if it has a warranty etc. Some of my questions were answered, but not the ones on the HD and warranty. Have the feeling that maybe I should steer away from this deal! TCW Computers website says they’ve got an Apple store, but it doesn’t say anything about refurbished Macs or if they are an Apple certified refurbish business.*
From what I’ve read here on the group, I would probably be smart to get a refurbished one from the Apple Store. Also read that the Apple Care is cheaper through *bay. Do most of you out there recommend getting Apple Care through *bay or elsewhere (Apple wants $149.00 for it on the Mini.)? It will cost me more to get it at Apple and then put Windows XP on it, but it’s better to be “pound wise than penny foolish.” I’d have to buy the XP software as am sure the Dell’s won’t work and it’s Service Pack 1.
Sorry I’ve rambled on about this. Just want to put all my ducks in a row before putting hard earned money down on something that I might be sorry I bought.
Thanks.
Silverado93

I would echo BGreg's advice and stick to official Apple refurbished Minis sold through the store.apple.com site. They will have a 1-year warranty and be eligible for AppleCare. And they will have current OSX and iLife software.
The term "refurbished" is often abused by other retailers who apply it to used computers that have been returned by unhappy customers -- but have not actually been fully diagnosed or repaired.
The 1.66 GHz model you list is rather long in the tooth. At least get a Core2Duo model, rather than a CoreDuo.
The links to the offical Apple refurbs are here:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB138LL/A
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB463LL/A
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB139LL/A
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB464LL/A
You'll have to check these links daily for a week or more to find them in stock.
I'd be very leery of buying AppleCare via *bay.
But lacomputercompany appears to sell genuine boxed AppleCare at prices close to Apple's educational price for AppleCare.
On another topic you brought up ... for desktop publishing on a budget I'd strongly endorse SwiftPublisher. Just enough features, just the right price -- and to my mind, works more intuitively than Apple's Pages program.

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When choosing boot drive SSD can make sense, so would 10K WD VR 250GB ($154)
Saving files you work on can take "too long" when you go from 300MB up to 2GB.
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MPG goes into using SSDs on PCIe card but that has not always been ideal - better in the last two Mac Pro models.
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http://www.amazon.com/BUFFERED-PC2-5300-FB-DIMM-APPLE-Memory/dp/B002ORUUAC/
http://www.amazon.com/BUFFERED-FB-DIMM-PC2-6400-800MHz-SPECIAL/dp/B0062B2JRS/
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-VelociRaptor-WD1000DHTZ-10000RPM/dp/B007ZR YNVS/
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http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Drives-VelociRaptor-Enterprise/dp/B007V5A1 BK/
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Engineering software. Should I buy a MAC?

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