I’ve had far fewer problems with Macs than with PCs. I’m the CAD manager for a multi-disciplinary office with 70 machines.
Macs aren’t a panacea. They are undisputedly more expensive, and they do go wrong. Software compatibility is largely a thing of the past.
However, they are better made than almost any PC (definitely than any PC that is cheaper) and their customer satisfaction and support are better than virtually anyone else’s. These aren’t idle boasts, they are are statistics you can research yourself.
You pay for quality. You always have someone who will claim that macs aren’t worth the money, but strangely you never hear the same thing when people debate Hyundai vs Audi for example. This is the way you should think of your computer. Windows 7 is a good OS now, and Windows 8 is more modern looking than OS X. You still need to worry about viruses and malware though. You can’t ignore these things on the mac any more, it’s just not nearly as much of an issue though.
The retina MBP is fabulous, but horrendously expensive. However it will last you for years, and you won’t get the dreaded slowdown over the years that you get with PCs.
Don’t buy an Ultrabook. The MacBook Air is superior in almost every respect, and for equivalent specifications are usually actually cheaper. They are fast machines now. If you can live with a 13″ screen, or if you are happy to use an external monitor when you aren’t mobile, you may find it perfectly adequate for your needs. It also has the added bonus of fabulous battery life and wonderful portability.
If you want a desktop replacement machine for CAD and 3D, you may appreciate the power of the new retina MBP, but the price is eye-watering. Maybe better to get a discounted example of the model that has just been superseded. You don’t really need the retina display. You can even get them on eBay still eligible for an Applecare warranty.
