CRE financial modeling macbook vs other
Hello, I am a student of real estate and I am trying to pursue an entry level job as a development analyst. I know I will be doing a lot of argus and excel FIN modeling in the future, and I am wondering what laptop will serve me the best for this purpose. I currently own a macbook pro 2011, and I need to upgrade. What do you guys think should be my next purchase (on a college budget so not TOO pricey)?
[{"id": "cwtdtiv", "text": "Any job you get will give you a computer.", "replies": [{"id": "cwtyh92", "text": "I dont graduate for another year though! I need one thats going to somewhat be the same as the one they will provide so I can practice. I don't have the GPA (thanks freshman year) to be competitive it is only like a 3.3, and I'm slacking on internship experience, so I need to really know my stuff when I do get an interview for internships/possible jobs, and for that I need a good computer to practice on.\n", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cwtndnv", "text": "Any Windows machine should be fine. A good keyboard is important so you can make optimal use of keyboard shortcuts. I always make sure a computer has dedicated Page up/page down buttons (sometimes they don't). Excel on a mac is inferior. Don't get a mac.", "replies": [{"id": "cwtyhcm", "text": "Thank you!", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cwu4uol", "text": "I don't know anyone who uses mac, but I suppose you could?  I can't speak to that, but things I find helpful:  \n\nget the biggest screen you can, preferably with an output to run a second moniter.  You will be doing lots of stuff where you are working on something while referring to reference materials etc.\n\nA num pad is helpful if possible too.  Again, you will be entering numbers from reference materials etc.  Makes it faster + less typos.\n\nThe lastone I bought is a touch screen.  I wasn't sure about that, but really like it now that I have it.  \n\nOverall though, yeah you don't need anything crazy powerful.    ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cwubybo", "text": "I use a surface pro 3. I run complex excel models in it and its small so its easy to travel with. I dock it at work. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cwvnvrm", "text": "Not a mac. You could dual boot (I do sometimes) but then you're running the mac keyboard on a windows OS and it's goofy.\n\nHonestly the keyboard and screen space are the two most important things for me. RAM thereafter. \n\n* Big enough keyboard that you're not cramping your fingers to hit keys or relying on weird key combinations.\n* Big enough screen(s) to compare two files side by side. No one in my office has less than two monitors.\n* Enough RAM to run someone's crappy excel model that includes too many lookups or a bunch of full res photos (seen it before).\n\n**So basically, a desktop for your work and keep that 2011 macbook humming for personal use.** I don't know anyone who uses a laptop as their primary underwriting machine. I drive to the office on the weekends instead of using my macbook with dual boot or VPN. It's terrible for Excel and slow as shit for Argus. \n\nIf you're dead set on getting a laptop then a docking station for home would be useful. Again though, I honestly know of no advantage to using a laptop as your full time machine. Personally I'd build a PC for $300 or so plus monitors and the OS. Or buy someone else's PC off of craigslist.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]