Mac for modeling? With Parallels?

Hey all, I'm going to buy a new laptop and want to learn financial modeling as I plan to apply for jobs in IB and PE
I see myself doing valuations and growth equity deals... maybe a bit of M&A and LBO modeling too. 

Is Mac with the M1 worth it? I've heard that it can suck without Alt button and the missing Home, End and Page Up/Down buttons. Is that true for all? Are there any new shortcuts?

If the Mac version of excel is bad. Could I buy the Parallels software? Can that mitigate the issue? I assume I'd need a 16GB ram laptop and additionally but three things (Parallels, Windows OS, and MS Office)

Or should I just scrap all of that and go for a windows pc?

 
Most Helpful

Just go with a PC if you're looking to learn Excel/Powerpoint. Personally, I prefer macs, but nothing you can do will make the excel experience the same. Not Parallels, not plugging in a keyboard, not dual-booting etc. Anyone that tells you otherwise is just wrong.

If you really want a mac, buy one, and then buy a cheap PC to learn the office suite on. My old Lenovo T430 from a decade ago still runs like a champ. You could get a lightly used one and just use that as your modeling computer.

 

Dolores et est omnis. Quisquam error illum voluptatibus itaque molestias iste adipisci. Maiores laboriosam enim aliquam. Et sed et deserunt et quibusdam in. Laborum aut assumenda in voluptatem pariatur dicta. Ut nemo autem aut est ut.

Esse in sint ad accusamus voluptates officiis eveniet. Reiciendis necessitatibus saepe sed consequatur sed non fuga. Sapiente rem dicta perferendis dignissimos inventore voluptates dolore. Sunt aut quam sequi voluptate omnis sed. At nemo consequatur placeat et. Aliquid fugiat omnis dolor sunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 99.0%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.4%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.4%
  • Ardian 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Bain Capital 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • Warburg Pincus 97.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (22) $569
  • Vice President (92) $362
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (90) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (205) $268
  • 1st Year Associate (387) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (29) $154
  • 2nd Year Analyst (83) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (246) $122
  • Intern/Summer Associate (32) $82
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (314) $59
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”