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.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Choosing the Right Computer for Tech Studies

The speaker discusses the dilemma of choosing between a Mac and a Windows machine for computer science studies, particularly in the context of an Iranian student who saved up for seven years to afford a computer. The speaker highlights the importance of hardware capability over brand, emphasizing that the data is more crucial than the hardware itself. They share their personal experience with multiple computers and advise that for programming and cybersecurity, having a computer with ample RAM is essential. The speaker also mentions their past experience with iOS development, which required a Mac, but suggests that for most tech-related tasks, a Mac is not necessary and a Windows PC with sufficient RAM and virtual machine capabilities would suffice.

05:03

📱 Productivity Over Brand Loyalty

In the second paragraph, the speaker argues against the purchase of a Mac laptop for most computer science or cybersecurity students, unless iOS development is specifically intended. They point out that a Mac does not offer significant advantages for typical tasks such as taking notes, doing homework, writing software, or setting up virtual machines. The speaker suggests a more cost-effective and productive setup: a Windows desktop with multiple monitor support for serious work, and a cheap Chromebook for note-taking and web browsing. They also recommend using remote desktop access to connect to a powerful desktop from a less powerful device when away from the main workstation, thus maximizing productivity without the need for an expensive Mac laptop.

Keywords

💡Mac

A Mac refers to a line of personal computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc. In the video, the creator discusses whether a Mac is a suitable choice for students interested in learning computer science, programming, or cybersecurity. The Mac is considered due to its reputation for quality and integration with other Apple products, but the video suggests that it may not be the most cost-effective or practical choice for all uses.

💡Windows machine

A Windows machine refers to a personal computer that uses the Microsoft Windows operating system. The video script contrasts the Mac with Windows machines, suggesting that Windows PCs might be a more versatile and cost-effective option for students, particularly for those who need to run multiple virtual machines or who are not focused on iOS development.

💡Cyber security

Cyber security, also known as cybersecurity, is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. In the context of the video, the creator discusses the hardware requirements for students studying cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of having a computer with sufficient capabilities to run security software and virtual machines.

💡Programming

Programming refers to the process of writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. The video script mentions programming as one of the fields of study where the choice of computer hardware is crucial. The creator advises on the necessity of having a computer with ample RAM for running multiple programming tasks simultaneously.

💡RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, which is the hardware in a computer for storing data that is being used. The video emphasizes the importance of having a computer with a large amount of RAM for tasks such as running multiple virtual machines and keeping numerous browser tabs open for research, which are common activities for programmers and cybersecurity students.

💡Virtual machines

A virtual machine is a software implementation of a machine that executes programs like a physical machine. In the video, the creator discusses the use of virtual machines for tasks such as developing client-server applications and web applications. The video also compares the ease of setting up virtual machines on Windows using Hyper-V versus on a Mac, where additional software like Parallels or VirtualBox might be required.

💡iOS development

iOS development refers to the process of creating applications for Apple's iOS operating system, which runs on devices like the iPhone and iPad. The video points out that a Mac is necessary for iOS development because it is required to deploy apps to the Apple Store, making it the only area where a Mac has a distinct advantage over other platforms.

💡Parallels

Parallels is a commercial software that provides desktop virtualization for Mac users, allowing them to run Windows and other operating systems on their Macs. The video mentions Parallels as an option for Mac users who need to run virtual machines, but it also notes the additional cost associated with this software compared to the free Hyper-V available on Windows.

💡Hyper-V

Hyper-V is a virtualization feature of Windows that allows users to create and run virtual machines. The video praises Hyper-V for its ease of use and the fact that it is free for Windows users, making it a more attractive option for those who need to run multiple operating systems on a single machine, compared to the paid alternatives on Mac.

💡Multiple monitors

Multiple monitors refer to the use of more than one display screen for a computer. The video suggests that investing in a setup with multiple monitors can increase productivity, especially for tasks like programming and research. The creator recommends using a desktop computer with multiple monitor support over a single-screen laptop for these reasons.

💡Chromebook

A Chromebook is a type of laptop that primarily runs the Google Chrome OS and is designed for web-based computing. The video suggests Chromebooks as a cost-effective option for students who need a portable device for note-taking and web browsing, while a more powerful desktop setup would handle the heavy lifting of programming and cybersecurity tasks.

Highlights

Apple products are not officially sold in Iran but are available through imports.

Iran has a strong engineering community due to dedicated students.

The hardware used in tech careers is less important than the data and skills.

For programming and cyber security, having a computer with ample RAM is crucial.

iOS development requires a MacBook due to the necessity of deploying to the Apple Store.

The speaker uses a variety of computers but primarily relies on an Intel Nook and a Microsoft Surface.

Microsoft's hyper-v is praised for its ease of use in setting up virtual machines.

Macs do not offer significant advantages for most computer science or cyber security tasks.

Parallels for Mac is an additional cost that is not necessary for the same functionality on Windows.

Macs are not justifiable in terms of cost for most educational and professional needs outside iOS development.

Using multiple monitors can increase productivity more than relying on a single high-resolution screen.

A Windows desktop with multiple monitor support and a Chromebook is recommended over a Mac laptop.

Chrome remote desktop can be used to access a main desktop from a Chromebook.

A Windows desktop and a small, inexpensive Chromebook provide better value than a Mac laptop.

The video concludes with a recommendation against buying a Mac laptop for most tech-related studies and careers.

Transcripts

should you buy a Mac for learning

programming or cyber security so from

all of my videos about the weapons used

during the Iranian protests I've

established a pretty extensive network

of students across Iran and one of them

wrote me and told me how we saved up for

seven years to buy a computer for

college and he wasn't sure if he wanted

a Mac or a Windows machine to study

computer science now first of all Apple

actually isn't allowed to sell products

in Iran but they get them anyway

imported in through turkey or Qatar and

they even have these fake Apple stores

selling real Apple products and I

thought about this this Iranian dude

saved up for seven freaking years so he

wouldn't have to sit in the school's

computer lab you know Iran has some

great engineers and it's because of kids

like this who never stop striving so

Amir this one's for you but maybe it'll

benefit some others that are watching

but first let me tell you about this

week's sponsor Atlas VPN Atlas VPN is

having a big deal right now with pricing

that's only a dollar eighty three a

month with three months extra and a 30

day money back guarantee click the link

in the description below I've had people

reach out to me requesting that I

suggest them a VPN I've always suggested

Atlas VPN because it's what I personally

use when I travel or when I do research

on Russia China or Iran because I can

get around IP address restrictions from

those countries and it's super easy to

use select a country of origin click

this button and you are protected Atlas

VPN acts as a tunnel between your

computer and the public internet that

hackers and Rogue government agents

can't penetrate so click the link in the

description below to take advantage of

Atlas VPN for a dollar 83 a month with

three months extra and a 30 day money

back guarantee thanks for sticking with

me so should you buy a Mac for school if

you're interested in cyber security or

programming so full disclosure I own

four computers an older MacBook Pro and

Intel Nook a Microsoft Surface 5 I think

and a Chromebook and you might laugh

when I can't remember the name of the

model of Microsoft Surface but one of

the important things to remember when

embarking on a Tech Career is that the

hardware doesn't really matter all that

much my computer could die tomorrow and

since I had everything backed up in the

cloud I'm golden yeah it would suck to

reinstall everything but it's the data

that's important not the hardware I do

most of my work on an Intel Nook and I

guess that's because it has 32 megabytes

of ram I'm not into playing games I'm

into standing up multiple virtual

machines and working with them I also

have tens of tabs open at any given time

when I do research for things like

videos Pro meets up memory like I eat up

cake so I usually advise programmers or

people who want to get into programming

or cyber security get as much RAM as

possible that way you can have a lot of

chrome tabs open for research and run

multiple VMS now I bought a Macbook a

few years years ago when I was doing

some iOS development and if you're going

to do iOS development you want to deploy

to the Apple Store you need a Macbook

but right now it just kind of sits on my

shelf unused I mainly use my Microsoft

Surface when I'm lounging around on the

couch or when I go on trips it's thinner

and lighter than my Mac and the battery

lasts long and my Chromebook while I

keep it in my Tesla so I can sit and

write scripts like charge my car so that

being said I have a pretty wide range of

computers to pick from with multiple

operating systems yet I always seem to

use my Intel Nook or my Surface and the

real answer to all of this is when

you're looking for a computer for school

or to learn how to program or do cyber

security look at capability

I can do everything I need to do on an

expensive desktop and a cheaper laptop

now for me when I do programming like I

said I've used a lot of virtual machines

and I use Microsoft's hyper-v because

it's super easy to use if I want a Linux

VM or Windows VM I can get one spinning

up in a couple of clicks now if you want

to develop client server applications or

web application with a backend database

you can have one running in under an

hour with a few clicks using hyper-v and

with Mac

you do have VM technology

there's parallels which you have to pay

for or you can use open box which isn't

as easy to use as Microsoft's hypervate

do you want to pay an extra 220 a year

for Parallels for something you can

already do for free on Windows PC as

long as you have the Pro Edition again

you could use open box but that's kind

of where the shine and luster start

coming off a Mac

everything on a Mac is either trivial to

do or costs 200 to 500 more dollars than

you want to spend

and if you're getting a computer for a

class and you're buying it for its

capabilities are the capabilities you

get from a Mac really worth the extra

money you're going to spend okay so most

computer science or cyber security

students are either going to be taking

notes doing homework writing software

writing scripts standing up VMS to

either Harden or use the servers for

applications

the Mac really doesn't give you any

extra advantages in that capability in

fact the only place where it really

excels is IOS programming and that's

because you need a Mac for that now the

other thing I want to talk about is

multiple monitors this is my monitor

setup this monitor below alone costs

about 900 bucks and I usually have my

email in one window and slack in a

second in my main programming task Below

in the main monitor well for that extra

200 or 500 you're spending on a single

screen Mac you can get a multiple

monitor setup and while the display on a

MacBook is amazing a larger monitor will

make you more productive so here's what

I would do don't go buy a Mac laptop but

don't go buy a PC laptop either instead

buy a good PC desktop with multiple

monitor support and at least one extra

monitor most of the time you're going to

be coding or doing work at your desk you

will always get more productivity and

dollar value out of the desktop then go

buy a cheap 200 Chromebook for taking

notes in class or during reports or

browsing the web if you really need to

use your main desktop use Chrome remote

desktop to remote over your school's

internet back to your desktop computer

if you're away from campus tether your

phone that's what I do when I'm sitting

in my car I can access my home computer

and all of its power from a little

Chromebook that I care so little about

that I leave it in the trunk of my car

so the real answer to this question is

unless you intend to do iOS development

definitely don't buy a Mac laptop you'd

be better off with getting a Windows

desktop and a small Chromebook that you

don't care about and an extra monitor

then you would be just getting a Mac

laptop

thank you for watching