18: Don't bring a Mac!

Image Courtesy: Apple.com

We've been working a lot more on the computer these days. We had to model in Rhino, which is a task that's pretty intense for a computer to run.

Alex has made known before his dislike for and distrust of Mac computers. He says they're for sissies because everything has to look nice. I have to admit that yes, I am drawn to the aesthetics of Apple products, but it's not like the computers are lacking in terms of speed, storage space, et cetera.

There are a few disadvantages, though, to using a Mac when in architecture school. Most of the 2D and 3D tools that the industry uses, such as AutoCAD, do not run on Macs (or, like Rhino, have unfinished Mac versions). There are ways around this issue, but it's always a pain and takes longer to switch between the Windows side and the Mac side. It's just plain easier to use a Windows computer.

In Spain, specifically, Macs die off pretty quickly. It's still a mystery, but a couple of people's Macbooks have stopped working. I've been doing some informal investigating and from my observations, it seems like Macs tend to heat up way faster than Windows laptops. (The exception is Naomi's HP laptop, which is basically on fire all the time!) And since Spain's average summer temperature is much greater than Berkeley's, these laptops overheat easily. Not dealing with an overheating laptop properly can lead to its demise.

So don't bring a Mac! Or, be prepared to face the consequences.