I'm a landscape architect. Last time used to be only in windows world. But come to my final years I started to use Mac.
Now still using Autocad (can't find much conveniant program to repalce it). But since you are in early stage might as well try Vectorworks.
But for 3DS Max, the comparable is Cinema 4D. If you know how to use 3DS Max, then Cinema 4D should be no problem.

Autocad, 3dsMax >> windows' only softwares.
There was no compatiblitiies problem when I print cad files in printing shop. There should be an export for .dwg or any similiar extensions even if you use the not-so-common Mac cad counterpart.

I wonder, what drives you to use Mac for Architecture work? My boss is willing to buy me a workstation pc just for AutoCad, simply because the work can be used in other professional's pc.

Adobe and Corel did exist in Mac version.

Autocad, 3D max no Mac version, but only autocad you need to print in native format. For 3D Max mostly you print .png or .jpg files. I'm not sure for what reason you wanna print 3dmax, unless you like looking at the wireframe..

Since now Mac is running on Intel processor, might as well you try to use parallel desktop especially for AutoCad. Last time my 3dmax class i did my assignment in Cinema 4D, good thing my lecturer didn't ask for softcopy so just print and send final product.. but i really confuse, why your school don't use Mac? Last time at my Uni the architectural dept. teaching their student with mac. only landscape dept. using PC. 

virtualisations should do the trick. install VMware Fusion/Parallels Desktop and you can get windows running in mac. get best of both world

 i am architecture student as well. i own a new alu macbook pro and i think it did a great job in photoshop and sketchup. however, when come to cad stuff, archicad really not as good as autocad. Hence, after a month purchase my alu macbook pro, i bought another sony AR series for my cad work and gaming...

I would recommend macbook alu 2.0 with up grade of 4 gb of ram..when using anything to do with windows,just bootcamp it..why,the GPU is powerful enough to take CAD softwares on boocamp...and also when using parallels and VMware fusion..your mac is going to use almost half of your ram. eventually slows down your mac ..virtualization is not worth it if you are going to use only one software on windows ..this has been discuss in many mac user forum,blogs around the net...i was in a dilemma too..try google autocad on mac..dont worry if your budget is tight.go for macbook alu 2.0 with 4gb ram..

I installed 3D max 8 in bootcamp.. It runs smooth.

Just the apple layout is kinda weird... Ctrl, Alt placement will make u confuse to short-cut usage. Get an external Keyboard.

Sketchup having Mac version,rite? Try ur best to use Mac os x all the time..

Bootcamp heating up very quick.

im an architecture student too.

personally, i'd run windows under parallels/vmware and install 3dmax/autocad on there.

as for adobe, msoffice, sketchup, all are available for macosx.

sketchup on my white c2d 2.0 w/ x3100 runs fine. just be sure to have enough ram.

also, vectorworks allows you to import and export autocad files just like how iwork does with office files.

hope this helps somehow.

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Added on April 9, 2009, 10:45 amjust read this

http://www.macrumors.com/2009/04/08/autoca...turning-to-mac/

sketchup mac isn't that easy to use .
do take note that things like orbit etc is not so friendly to user when u have the center buttion working as expose.

windows is still the basic for archtiecture in malyaisa. anyway ,GDP uses alot of macs there.

I'm a mechanical engineer and I'm a mac lover, For my work which required extensive use of 3D Modeling, I have to go for pc because I'm using Autodesk 's Inventor. I have tried running a lower version of AuoCad with Parallel Desktop before but found it to be buggy. Why not get a cheap pc laptop for your cad and do the rest with mac?

then install bootcamp and use windows .

hai there... im 3d animation student... and i bought mbp around last year..

i tried to use 3ds max in my mbp using bootcamp but it doenst work well..

if u r using maya software, it works well including rendering stage...

not recommended to use 3rd party software.. its really laggy

just my 2cents 

I run autoCAD on winxp in parallels on my macbook pro 2.4 Ghz (using the 9400M, so in a way its the same as a macbook 2.4 Ghz) and everything looks good to me only 2GB RAM

i'm automotive student, using CATIA to design vehicle.
so macbook pro running vista business 64bit via bootcamp
still crash sometime.

windows on mac components wont run so smoothly due to the fact that mac is designed in a different way to best suit mac os x .
bootcamp is not the main thing when they design the architecture of the mac machines .
the driver for windows itself is developed by mac. and you cant find it online .

Today I found a software that can replace AutoCAD for Mac machines..it's called DraftSight..made by Dassault Systemes, which also made CATIA and Solidworks software..and the best thing is, it's for FREE 

Below is the link for the software. After install you need to register for full use.. 
http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/download-draftsight/