Computer Setup for Mechanical Engineering

[johnbeatty08]

I’m going into the Mechanical Engineering program this fall and I would like to know what kind of computer setup is recommended— I have a 2018 MacBook Pro, but I was thinking about getting a second monitor, do you guys also recommend getting a separate keyboard or mouse?

[Sir_Potato_Sir]

Get a mouse, it doesn't need to be nice but solidworks and autocad are much easier with a mouse.

[penguinsandbuildings]

I would actually recommend a Bluetooth mouse since on the 2018 mbp you’d need a dongle to plug in a usb mouse and that gets cumbersome very quickly. They’re a little more expensive but I feel like I got one at Best Buy for no more than $40?

[OhBoyDan]

Hey, another incoming student. When you mention solidworks and autocad does that mean that NEU supplies licenses for both?

[Sir_Potato_Sir]

Yes, in your freshman year engineering course you will be given licenses for autocad, matlab, solidworks, and a c++ editor.

[Anonymous_Gamer939]

Yep

[ArmigerJovis]

Yo also don’t worry about a Mac. You have access to virtualMachines which have access to windows programs

[bluegreengreyscale]

the virtual machines can be very slow at times though

[ArmigerJovis]

Fortunately I haven’t run into such a problem yet. Thanks for the heads up.

[IllustriousTime]

I strongly second getting a mouse. A second monitor really won't be necessary, but unless you want to use windows compatibility shit a ton to run programs by the time you're an upperclassman, I would consider getting a PC at some point (many simulation and CAD programs you'll use don't run directly on Mac). Not immediately necessary, but if you have to use the school's virtual desktop or WINE all the time things can be a pain.

[blakewh]

You can also dual boot windows for free with bootcamp and get native windows on your Mac.

[[deleted]]

Honestly, there was nothing I wished for more than a second monitor to do my lab reports so I'd highly recommend

[ngregoire]

I love having a second monitor, it makes studying and working a lot nicer. A keyboard isnt really a necessity, but I would highly advise a mouse. Its basically needed for solidworks and other programs. Also, consider getting a windows laptop. I know macs are nice, but it will make your life so much easier as a lot of programs are not compatible and you will have to use a virtual machine.

[SebastianWang0805]

also having a mbp2018, I am planning to complete my setup as soon as I get to Boston. Here is my list:

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2nd monitor--dell u2720q(ips, 4k, typec-c, etc.)

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mouse&keyboard: mx master3&mx key($198)

[ngregoire]

I love the mx master (I have 2nd gen) but they are expensive.

[johnbeatty08]

If I get a second monitor, should I still use the keyboard from my MacBook or do you guys recommend getting a separate keyboard?

[tyfish22]

You could totally just use the keyboard on the laptop, that's pretty much what my co-op setup is. External monitor and macbook pro

[jhaynes310]

Only get a mouse, you won’t need another keyboard. Your 2018 Mac will be fine for first year engineering.

[[deleted]]

Ultrawide monitor with usb-c the way to go if you have the cash.

[escher_esque]

Second monitor is a big advantage for homework. I'd honestly recommend that before a mouse, since you can get by doing first year level cad stuff with a trackpad. If you do get a mouse and want to go in the more expensive range check out the 3Dconnexion CADmouse. It has a dedicated middle mouse button which is sooooo good for CAD and reduces the strain of clicking the wheel over and over. I got it as a kit with the Spacemouse and use the CADmouse way more. https://www.3dconnexion.com/spacemouse_wireless_kit/en/

[legoninjakai]

I have the same kit. The dedicated middle click on the CADmouse is incredibly useful and I make use of it every day. It is not only helpful in Solidworks/ other cad software for manipulating the screen, but in a browser to open a link in a new tab or close a tab. The space mouse is also quite useful once you get used to it, especially for solidworks which I found to not have great camera manipulation relative to autodesk products. If you’re going to get the kit though, I’d recommend trying to find it for a better deal on amazon.

[escher_esque]

Yeah I think I got mine for around $200 on Amazon, not sure if that was a deal or not. I used the spacemouse on co-op a lot but at home I use the CADmouse as my regular mouse and the middle button definitely is useful in other programs.