08-07-2006, 06:47 PM

Looking to buy a PowerBook, but I'm not sure how coding will go on it like C++, Java, LUA. Are there programs like Visual Basic and such that run on Mac? I'm going to be taking computer programming coarses but I want to buy a Mac.

08-07-2006, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by redone632

Looking to buy a PowerBook, but I'm not sure how coding will go on it like C++, Java, LUA. Are there programs like Visual Basic and such that run on Mac? I'm going to be taking computer programming coarses but I want to buy a Mac.

In all honesty, it'll depend on what type of programming you're doing. If you're doing commandline C++ or Java programming, you'll be fine. In fact, since OS X is based on BSD, you'll even be better off.

If you'll be doing a lot of Windows-based programming (i.e. Visual Basic, any Studio.net stuff, C++ Builder, etc...) you'll end up having to run windows on your mac, either via bootcamp or parallels.

Hope that helped.

Edit...Since I obviously missed that you're buying a "PowerBook" and not a "MacBook", you'll end up having to run Virtual PC as Menace noted, which is NOT a good thing. My suggestion would be to buy a PC laptop or a MacBook if you will need to do a lot of Windows development.

08-07-2006, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Richie_Gecko

In all honesty, it'll depend on what type of programming you're doing. If you're doing commandline C++ or Java programming, you'll be fine. In fact, since OS X is based on BSD, you'll even be better off.

If you'll be doing a lot of Windows-based programming (i.e. Visual Basic, any Studio.net stuff, C++ Builder, etc...) you'll end up having to run windows on your mac, either via bootcamp or parallels.

Hope that helped.

but since your saying powerbook, youll have to use virtual pc which is really very incredibly painfully slow

08-07-2006, 06:59 PM

Figure out what you are going to be doing first before you buy anything.

08-07-2006, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by menace3054

but since your saying powerbook, youll have to use virtual pc which is really very incredibly painfully slow

HAHA...that's right. I'll edit my first post

08-07-2006, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by mynameis

Figure out what you are going to be doing first before you buy anything.

Exactly. Find out what the technology and hardware requirements are for the course FIRST, then worry about what machine to get. I would highly recommend meeting your class's requirements. The computer you need is more important than the machine you want... worry about getting the machine you need.
You can always get a second-hand Mac from Craigslist or eBay later on if you want to delve into the world of Mac OS.
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