Can I Use Macbook Pro to Study Mechanical Enginnering?

Yes, you can.

How is the best way to run SolidWorks on a MacBook Pro ..

MacBook Pro using Solidworks CaD | MacRumors Forums

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Most likely this machine will work but please do not buy any computer just from our advice. Please, contact your school about any and all tools you will need for your classes. They might even have a student discount that will allow you to purchase a new (clean) machine for less than this Macbook Pro.

Yes, for sure check on student discounts. We were still using slide rules when I was there decades ago, and computing was just starting with room-size vacuum tube machines. Today they do offer student discounts, have a campus-wide computer system, etc. I think they can handle both PC and Mac, but check with your school to see if they have any suggestions.

As many have said... yes, you can. I run a Mac at home and prior to Mac versions of software such as AutoCAD, I used Boot Camp (a Mac feature) that provides for a dual-boot Mac/Windows machine. But now there are Mac versions of most all software so dual-booting is not really necessary anymore.

But, it should be noted that on my home machine I run BricsCAD

Really, software compatibility issues were pre Intel-based Mac machines when Apple made their own CPU Chip Sets. Now that they are Intel-based... not so much.

But there still are many differences between Macs and PC's so like others have said - don't just take our advice and make sure you do your due-diligence. Speak with your Professors to ID what software is required, then confirm that specific software can function on your specific system.

Also, even though Mac's version of Office can open all native Office files, and you can save native Mac files into Office and a number of other formats, there are formatting and command variances so sharing files with fellow students may be an issue, but there is a Mac version of Office to mitigate that if it becomes an issue.

The biggest thing to look at actually is going to be your RAM, GPU, and VRAM... look close at those, VERY close... especially if you are getting into solid modeling... specifically DirectX vs. OpenGL and how that is going to impact performance of various programs. I love my Mac, but PC's are better for some things.

I think it's a mistake to become married to one brand, so I shop for something that will work for the cheapest price I can find....Apple tends to be expensive, and I see no justification for it...

http://hubpages.com/technology/laptops-for-engineers-and-students#mod_39271513

If you want to run CAD, then you really should go for the 4-core i7 and 16GB of RAM. That's what I'm using right now. I previously had (and still have as a backup) a mid-2012 MacBook Pro Retina with the same processor, only a little slower (old was 2.3GHz, new is 2.5GHz), and 8GB of RAM. I commonly have 5-10 applications running at the same time, and with 8GB of RAM, my CAD program would occasionally crash. I use Vectorworks, which is native on the Mac. I had a sprinkler incident that led to a logic board replacement on that Mac, and the replacement logic board has 16GB of RAM, and I haven't had a crash since. It is at least conceivable that the crashes were due to a problem on the original logic board, rather than the lack of RAM, but I suspect the RAM.

As far as I know, there isn't a Mac version of Solidworks yet, although I have heard rumors... I should have checked out Lyn's links before writing this, but I didn't. Assuming you will have to run a Windows version of Solidworks means you'll need a copy of some version of Windows, and one of the programs that lets you run Windows on the Mac, such as Parallels or VMWare. I won't consider Bootcamp, because you can't cut from one OS (Operating System) and Paste into the other...

Clearly, Running two OSes requires more memory than just one, so go for 16GB of RAM.

I work only on Macs. The last time I saw a true virus on a Mac was 1998. I can't say it won't happen ever, but so far so good. There has been an uptick, especially this last year, on other forms of malware, but the free MalwareBytes has been pretty good about getting rid of those.

I have no significant problem sharing the CAD (and other) files I create on the Mac with the others in engineering, even though they all use PCs at work, and use other CAD programs.

I did now look at Lyn's links... I didn't pay attention to the dates on the first one. The second one was over a year and a half ago. I haven't tried running any Windows software on my Macs since around 2011, but I don't understand one of the bloggers complaining about the Mac not having a Delete key. I just looked at 6 of my Mac Laptops, back as far as the late '90s, and every one of them has a Delete key.

Now it may well be that a particular piece of software was not programmed to use the same code as that normally produced by the Mac Delete key; if so, it is probable that the normal Delete key would do the job when pressed together with a modifier key (Shift, Function, Control, Option, Command). It is even possible to customize the Mac keyboard so a standard key produces a non-standard result.

BricsCAD will handle SolidWorks' files. Its native format is ACIS but with the Communicator addon it will handle MCAD formats as well.

This is a good resource that is relatively current:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_computer-aided_design_editors

Asking questions about the issues you know of is good. You did that and Lyn, DKWarner and others have provided useful responses.

If you are going to "put all your eggs in one basket" and buy the computer that you hope will last through your university years consider this:

1) Many of us that use the CR4 web site say not very nice things about Windows due to our real world experiences with Windows.

2) Many (probably most) of us that try to use Linux/Mac as much as possible also have a Windows box because sometimes in the real world you just have to use Windows.

I suggest trying to check with mid and upper level students in your field at your university. Are they happy with non Windows boxes or do they have a lot of assignments where they are expected to use a Microsoft word processor, Microsoft spreadsheet, Microsoft data base or a 3rd party program (such as a CAD program) that might only run on Windows?

Pretty much good advice. I may well be one of the few that don't have a current Windows machine. As I indicated previously, the last time I ran Windows on one of my Macs was at least 5 years ago. There are sufficient windows laptops around that the few times I have been forced to use one, I've had no difficulty borrowing one.

Other than fighting with Microsoft every time I move to a newer computer (Everything else transfers with no problem, but Microsoft considers it a new installation of Office), I've had no problems with the Mac version of Microsoft Office. That is to say I've had no problems that wouldn't also have been a problem if I were running the Windows version on a PC. For example, I very commonly find that "Word" "thinks" it knows what I want to do next, and "tries to help", much like having a 5-year-old "help" while repairing something...

I commonly edit Word and Excel documents created on PCs (with MS Office for Mac 2011) and send the edited documents back to the originator, with no problems or issues.

Remember that your computer is a tool. You want the tool to work properly which means running the software needed for your education. You also want the tool to be "comfortable" for you to use and consistent with the other computers you will be using. That being said, you should find out which computer the majority of students use and which are in the computer lab - if your school has one.

I have used a PC based system since I began working with computers (back in the mid 80's). I feel very proficient using a PC system and after all these years, it comes naturally to me. That being said, once a month, I am forced to use an Apple laptop for my School Board meetings. I feel handicapped when using the Apple laptop and I have to think when I'm trying to do simple things like scroll, open pages and move between windows. The normal PC control/shift/mouse button/click movements don't work the same on the Apple. So, as a tool, it isn't a good one for me.

This is why I recommend finding out what the "standard" is at your school. If the majority of engineering students use Apple, then I'd follow. If they use PC's, then I'd do the same.

In a nutshell, I guess what I'm trying to tell you is to make your life easier and conform to the standard set by your school.

Good luck and great choice of your major!

I generally agree with your first paragraph, although the majority of students may or may not be the most successful.

For your second paragraph swap every occasion of PC and Apple, and you pretty much have my story. I started using computers in '78, Apples in 81 or 82, and Macs in 84. I'm quite less than comfortable when forced to use a PC, although I get by, with considerable frustration.

I definitely agree that the OP should check with the school he plans to attend (if he knows...), and unless he can find at least a few successful students using Macs, he should stick with PCs. How to define 'successful' is a whole different issue...

Since he asked about the Mac in the first place, I suspect he already has some propensity to lean in that direction, so your point about 'comfortable' may be significant.

Early in the thread, someone mentioned that the computer you will be using is simply a tool, so the first thing is to see if the model and build you choose can be used satisfactorily to accomplish the tasks you will be required to do. The correct tool always makes a job easier.

Another poster also mentioned your apparent comfort with the machine you plan to purchase. This is another factor in determining your choice. Everybody on this forum could suggest an Apple or a PC, but that if either machine can perform the tasks you require, the choice is personal. (I use a PC simply because they were the computers installed where I worked).

Finally, and possibly most important is the type of system most widely used at your institution: you are going to want the minimum variation from that system. Any machine not readily integrated with the system(s) currently in use can be difficult or impossible to use to it's full potential.

So regardless of the advice and opinions offered here, the decision will be yours. One thing that hasn't been noted, is that you may find that a machine suitable for early scholastic work, may not be able to handle the demands of your later years, or professional career.

Come back and let us all know what your choice was, and how satisfied you were.