Get twice the computer at half the cost if you build a PC.

I had a first gen intel macbook pro and ran windows through bootcamp. Worked wonderfully compared to my peers using parallels but still... it cost me like $3400 10-years ago. If you're willing to drop serious cash, design and build a PC desktop.

I've used-

Boot camp- comes with macs. It works but you need to flip flop between operating systems.

Parallels- runs well and interfaces nicely with the mac os. But if you buy a new machine, you must buy a new license of Parallels.

VirtualBox- Cheap (free) and stable, but needy in initial startup finding resources on the mac side.

The real question is- what are you going to do with it? If you're doing light work, fine. But once you need to start crunching numbers the emulator will get in the way.

you have two choices:  parallels and bootcamp.  bootcamp is just a different partition of your HDD--when you boot up you simply select windows or OSX.  the downside is you have to restart your computer to switch.  the upside is it comes with OSX, you simply need to buy windows or get a free version through your university.  

the second choice is parallels.  you pay for an emulator, parallels,  to run windows within OSX.  you don't have to restart your computer to switch.  however, there is a fairly substantial performance hit  and it flat out sucks for running compute heavy tasks like grasshopper.  

in both cases, windows will never run great on your computer, because apple spends minimum effort and time optimizing their drivers for windows.   you'll definitely want something that hits heavier than a macbook.  

everything in architecture is on Windows. the sooner you switch, the better.

The issue with getting a Windows computer is that my my other devices are Apple, and they would not be (as?) compatible with a Windows computer :/

I am just getting ready to start undergrad btw

Has anyone made the switch from mac to windows?

^ I have. No issues.

what do you have that won't be compatible... esp since you're just starting?

Well for example, I have an iPhone and I am concerned that backing it up to a windows computer would not work, and that mac programs like iTunes wouldn't work on one

Get a Windows desktop for studio. You'll be able to get higher performance components for much less than a laptop. 

Use a low powered macbook for your non-heavy lifting activities and personal life.

Unrelated advice: invest in an external HD and *back up everything frequently* 

My iphone and ipods have never had problems synch'n with either windows or mac OS.

So you recommend that I get two computers?

I was assuming you already have some sort of Apple computer. Keep it.

Yeah but it is already 5 years old

That's fine. If you're using it for light-weight day to day stuff I doubt you'll need the extra power. Invest in a high performance desktop for the big stuff (BIM, Adobe, etc.).

You can even setup a remote desktop app and access the high powered Windows machine from your low powered Mac. That'll get you better performance for less money/effort than a brand new mac running parallels.

Ok thank you!! I was concerned that they would stop updating it soon, but you have a good point. Would it be possible to make it with a Windows laptop? Carrying a desktop around would probably not be a good idea