Buying a New Computer - Help

I'm about to graduate college and start working at a CRE lender on the west coast in January. I've been using the same windows PC for the past four and a half years for all of college and I need a replacement. I've always wanted a Mac and have saved the money to buy one but I'm hesitant because I know Excel on Mac kind of sucks but my plan is to use Bootcamp to run windows when I need to use Excel and use an external windows keyboard. My question is - is this a good solution or am I going through too much trouble? Additionally, will companies expect me to work from home on a company computer or will I be asked to use my own and how should that influence my decision? (I have no idea how much work from home I'll be doing from home if any - but generically, do companies expect you to do work on your personal computer or will they usually provide a company laptop?)

 
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Not sure if this is applicable to every company, but what I've experienced so far is that companies provide employees with their own laptops to use for business purposes. The reasons range from security to accessibility and conveniency. If you want to work from home, some places have a portable device you could take home, but not sure if that's commonplace. I have always used PCs even in dominated Mac environments like in college. Excel functions run differently on a PC and it is your own preference at the end of the day if you want to forgo ease in functionality and experience in a PC vs a Mac.

 

You will most likely get a work laptop (or possibly a desktop) and will have the ability to remote in. I personally like a desktop + surface tablet for my own setup, but you do you.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

If you're getting a laptop and want a Mac feel while at the same time having a machine that can slice through excel, I would recommend a Razer Blade 14. Personally bought one myself last year and don't see myself switching back to anything else. Will probably be upgrading to a more recent version soon. You can pick one up fully spec'd out on eBay slightly used for less than 800

Same size, dimensions and weight of a Mac with gaming computer specs so any program runs smoothly

 
CRE:
The answer is always MacBook or Lenovo.

You don't need to worry about using Excel on your home computer, so just pick the one you like best.

The Microsoft self branded stuff doesn't mess around either. Quality over specs is a good rule though.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

That's good to know. I admittedly don't have much experience with their Surface products.

I've pretty much always used a MacBook for personal matters and a Lenovo for school/work and I've never had any issues with either. I'm a fan of that kind of consistency.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

In most every case, if they expect you to work remotely and/or from home you'll get a laptop. Honestly, i'd push back on a company that does not - as mingling your personal and professional lives on a laptop is a nightmare. Cell phones are even worse - but sometimes unavoidable.

I've replaced my laptop with an Ipad. The reality is I just don't do much, outside of work, that requires printing and/or heavy office type usage. Between the keyboard and many of the apps that they have - i can do pretty much anything i need from it.

 

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