If I'm getting a *gulp*...

[Jakemaster]

...okay so I will be getting a laptop soon for college.  And I need something to run the basics (word processing etc), photoshop, mathcad and some other math programs, and eventually some CAD type programs.  

Most of what I will be doing on it is preparing papers and other presentations, so it seems like a...mac...might do the trick.

I've always avoided macs because things like FS need windows, but from what I've seen you can run boot camp and then use all those windows only programs.

So, if anyone here can help, what Mac laptop would you suggest?

[Mobius]

I'd stick with a PC if you're going into engineering.  I've used a PC for the last three years doing exactly what you want to do with a Mac, and I've never had any problem with it.  Here at the UW, we are able to get fully licensed software for free that usually costs thousands of dollars.  The way it works here is you check computer programs out like you check out a book from the library, then you license your home computer to run the program through a VPN.  I've done this with programs like Maple, Matlab, AutoCAD, Unigraphics NX4, etc..., and never really had a problem with it.  I don't really know if people with Macs have ever had problems, but everyone here in engineering that I know uses a PC and has no problems with it.

[flymo]

stick with a PC, most of the CAD programs are PC compatable and not MAC, plus its a PC, macs are for stoners, we have all seen the adverts