Don't Buy a Mac for Programming or Cybersecurity

Summary

In this video, the speaker advises against buying a Mac for college or cyber security studies unless iOS development is the goal. They emphasize the importance of RAM for programming and virtual machines, suggesting a Windows desktop for its capabilities and cost-effectiveness. The speaker recommends a Chromebook for note-taking and a multiple monitor setup for productivity, stating that a Mac's benefits do not justify the extra cost for most students' needs.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The video discusses the suitability of Macs for learning, programming, and cybersecurity, especially in the context of a student in Iran.
• 🚫 Apple products are not officially sold in Iran, but they are available through imports and even in fake Apple stores.
• 💻 The hardware used for tech careers, such as programming or cybersecurity, is less important than the data and capabilities it provides.
• 📱 The speaker owns multiple devices, including a MacBook Pro, Microsoft Surface, and a Chromebook, but prefers using a high-RAM device for programming.
• 🛠️ For iOS development, a Mac is necessary due to the requirement to deploy to the Apple Store, but for other tasks, it may not be the best choice.
• 💸 The cost of a Mac can be prohibitive, and the additional expense may not provide significant advantages over a Windows PC for most tasks.
• 🖥️ The speaker recommends a Windows desktop with multiple monitor support for productivity, rather than a single-screen Mac laptop.
• 🔗 Atlas VPN is highlighted as a sponsor, offering a deal for viewers with a low monthly price and a money-back guarantee.
• 💡 The video suggests using a Chromebook for note-taking and web browsing, while leveraging remote desktop access for more powerful tasks.
• 📚 For students, especially in fields like computer science and cybersecurity, the focus should be on capability and value for money, rather than brand or device type.

Q & A

Why is the Iranian student considering buying a Mac for college?

The Iranian student has saved up for seven years to buy a computer for college and is considering a Mac, despite Apple not being allowed to sell products in Iran.

What is the speaker's personal experience with using different types of computers?

The speaker owns four computers: an older MacBook Pro, an Intel Nook, a Microsoft Surface 5, and a Chromebook. They use different computers for various tasks, such as programming, research, and travel.

What is the speaker's advice for students interested in programming or cybersecurity?

The speaker advises students interested in programming or cybersecurity to get a computer with as much RAM as possible to handle multiple tasks like running multiple VMs and having many tabs open for research.

Why does the speaker suggest that a Mac might not be the best choice for programming or cybersecurity?

The speaker suggests that a Mac might not be the best choice because it doesn't offer extra advantages in capability for programming or cybersecurity compared to a Windows PC, and some features like VM technology on Macs can be more expensive or less user-friendly.

What is the speaker's opinion on the necessity of a Mac for iOS development?

The speaker believes that a Mac is necessary for iOS development because it is required to deploy to the Apple Store.

Why does the speaker recommend against buying a Mac laptop for most computer science or cybersecurity students?

The speaker recommends against buying a Mac laptop for most students because the capabilities offered by a Mac are not worth the extra cost, and a Windows desktop with a Chromebook for portability can provide better value and functionality.

What is the speaker's suggestion for a monitor setup to enhance productivity?

The speaker suggests using a multiple monitor setup with at least one large monitor for increased productivity, which can be more cost-effective than spending extra on a single high-resolution Mac display.

What is the benefit of using a Chromebook according to the speaker?

The speaker sees the benefit of a Chromebook as a cheap and portable device for taking notes in class or browsing the web, which can also be used to remotely access a more powerful desktop computer when needed.

How does the speaker use the Atlas VPN mentioned in the script?

The speaker uses Atlas VPN when traveling or doing research in countries with IP address restrictions, such as Russia, China, or Iran, to ensure secure and unrestricted internet access.

What is the main point the speaker wants to convey about choosing a computer for learning programming or cybersecurity?

The main point the speaker wants to convey is that the choice of computer should be based on its capabilities and cost-effectiveness for the specific needs of learning programming or cybersecurity, rather than brand or operating system.