hops_scout

I don't take mine to class, but we do have several wifi spots oncampus I may hit at some point. Also, I've been here two weeks and I have gone home both weekends so far. I've taken my laptop back with me each time.

Jebus Christ

Im happy I have a laptop. My psychology and biology present in powerpoint format, so I can go online grab it and basically have the presentation a foot away from me.

cewillm

Unless you're an ABSOLUTE BEAST in TeX you're never going to be able to use a laptop in any science class really.

If you really need a computer (hint: you don't) go with a desktop. More power for the buck, even if you're going to leave on the default crapware-infested version of Vista and do nothing more than browse facebook.

Pearlinthemist

Yes you need a computer... but it does not need to be a laptop.

When I started college I only had a desktop. It was never a problem. The few times I needed to do a powerpoint presentation I could easily borrow a friend's notebook or a fellow classmate's notebook. If I needed to work on something while I was on campus I could easily just put everything on a flash drive & then go to a computer lab. I didn't get a laptop until my junior year, and it was so heavy to lug around that I didn't even bother the majority of the time.

Now I'm in grad school & I'd have to say that a laptop is now a necessity - have to bring it to & from my research lab everyday to work on papers, check email, etc.

futurenyustudent

You don't realize how convenient a laptop is until you have one.

thegeneralguy

Seriously. If you have math/science learn LaTeX and scribble down notes, then retype them. Professors love typed up homeworks and may reward you for them by being lenient.

quitejaded

Well, if your school requires you have a major (pre-med not being a real major) then yes.

If not, then just buy it when you feel like you need it.

Also, do not forget your general requirements to graduate.

hikids

You need a coputer, but should check with the institution as to what to get. Some have very specific basic requirements. You may be able to get a better deal through the University (but check to make sure as it depends on the Universities bargaining skills).

rockthebox

For me, It is really convenient that I have a laptop or a desktop accessible.

eric
umgd

cbeley

Well, looking at the syntax of TeX, I think it would be reasonable to type out equations just as fast or faster compared with doing it by hand. Though, I can type a 100+wpm so...yeah.... >_>

I know I personally couldn't live without a computer. I bought the Vostro 1400 before Christmas and it will be the computer I'll be taking to college. I already bring it everywhere I go (including school) and use it to take notes in my English 102 class (a college distance learning class i'm taking) and for a programing project i'm doing. I can't even read my writing and I can type a lot faster than I can write. As for science things and pictures, my plan is to get a pen mouse so I can draw pictures and what not and keep them in digital form...Also, now that I think about it, I'll probably practice typing out stuff using TeX so I won't even need to use that often.

Originally I did want a desktop and I could have built a really nice desktop for the price of my laptop (though, my laptop has 2 gigs memory and has a fairly fast dual core processor, so it's still quite nice for my purposes...). However, with the laptop I can grab my LCD screen, find a quiet place to work such as some underground library, hook up the LCD to my laptop, and have a full dual monitor workstation wherever I go (my LCD screen is quite light). So.....yeah.

For those of you who say I could use the campuses computers....my own workstation, running my choice of OS (Gentoo Linux), with all my files, my set-up, my privacy, and works how I want beats any campus computer...

srunni

Didn't know there were other Gentoo users on CC I'm trying to install Gentoo on my HP Pavilion dv9700t right now, but I'm having a problem, maybe you can help me cbeley? :P
http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-677540.html

I really need to get going on TeX too so I know it by next year lol

libbycity

If you're into power computing (who isn't?) no portable computer can compete with an equivalently priced desktop, but of course you lose the portability.

A neighbor of mine's son put up a combo by picking up a powerful desktop for his room and springing for a "eee" notebook computer. "eee" computers are bare-bones laptops with minimal power designed for developing countries. They're small and perfect for basic internet tasks and word processing. And they're super cheap (compared to any "proper" computer), I think a base model goes for less than $300.

Chipmoney

I wouldn't get an eee pc as a secondary computer. they don't have a full sized keyboard which makes it a pain to type. you can get a cheap lenovo for 4 or 5 hundred though.

lavendercloud

You might feel out of place without a laptop - almost everyone has one.

randomgrandeur

I went through my first two years of college without one. It sucked and as someone else said, having group projects was a nuisance. Everyone would have theirs and I would have to explain I had a desktop.

Once I got my Macbook, the convenience was great. I never liked typing in a computer lab to write a paper. I'd rather take my laptop to the nearest Starbucks and type it there. I just didn't like being in the room to do my work.

Just me though.