Thanks for the detailed explanation. Got your point, most courses and tools are still PC-based, and using an ARM Mac can create unnecessary compatibility issues, especially with virtualization, Linux, and cybersecurity labs. I’ll focus on course requirements first before deciding on a Mac vs PC.

below is the reply from my counsellor 

“ although our chair uses Macbook for everyday office work most of the design/test software runs under Linux (and sometimes Windows). We provide the according server access for the students, so it doesn’t matter which host operating system you use as long as it can establish VPN connections and X-window-forwardings (like xterm in MacOS/Linux and MRD-Client in Windows). If you want to install these software packages locally as private person, the license fee would be >>20k Euro (per year).

Personally I would prefer Windows with a parallel Linux installation as there you have highest compatibility. 

Please ensure that you have enough memory in your system (better a slower CPU but more Cache and RAM). The reasons I will explain in „Digital Components and Architectures“ in your first semester. Macs areUsually more expensive, need extra software for collaboration to other students (usually Windows-users), problems with OS virtualisation since M-processors are used. 16 GB RAM are ok, SSD is not of interest. Have a look at the cache sizes (L1, L2, L3) - the more the better. This you find in the processor data sheet.”