ken285

Or just go for a desktop unless you really need the mobility. I used a desktop all through my undergrad when I lived close to campus and didn't feel a need to get a laptop until grad school. Now I'm a 1 1/2 hour subway ride from campus and need to use the time on campus efficiently.

As far as I know, desktops are easier to fix or upgrade should the need arise. Everything is pretty modular.

charlesjeon

If you are a heavy user,
you shouldn't buy a laptop.

I think if you dont have SIGNIFICANT reasons why you would need a laptop,
I dont see why you should get a laptop.
go desktops

csprof2000

I had a laptop as an undergraduate in computer science.

To make a long story short, if you like computers and using them, don't get a laptop. Laptops are for casual users who don't know any better.

It's sort of like the difference between drinking sweetened mud club soda or a coca cola.

aibarr

That'd kind of a rude statement. Laptops are, as one example, for people who take notes in class. I think I'd have looked mighty funny if I'd dragged in my desktop computer to class every day. They're also for people who are constantly on the road. I've had issues with fitting ginger ale and my MacBook on my tray table, I can't imagine what you must deal with when you take your desktop computer on a plane, let alone how the heck you get through airport security.

I'm not going to run ABAQUS on it or anything, but I do think there's a time and a place for laptops, and I think a blanket statement asserting ignorance on the part of anyone who thinks otherwise is kind of uncalled for.

*Brahmin

plus for international students, laptops are the best option

csprof2000

"That'd kind of a rude statement. Laptops are, as one example, for people who take notes in class."
Call me old fashioned, but I generally take notes on paper.

"They're also for people who are constantly on the road."
I think it's illegal in most states to be driving and computing at the same time. Seriously, though, most places you go will have computers for you to use. Do you really need it while you're traveling, too? Most don't.

There is certainly a time and a place for laptops. I only meant to suggest that it may not be for undergraduate studies in the sciences or engineering.

ken285

Laptops are not a necessity, but rather a luxury. Nobody really absolutely needs a laptop; you can get around just fine with a desktop.

The reasons I like having a laptop now is that I'm not tied down to a computer lab if I need to use one, and it won't be a problem if all the computers are in use. I can be anywhere on or off campus and still get work done and that's a big deal for me because on some days I leave home at 6am and don't get back until 11pm. I use all the free time in between as much as I can. Again, not a necessity, but a convenience.

rafiki6

Screw all this damn advice.

Here it is clear and simple...

Are you a commuter who move around alot?

If so then go for a small, (13.3" or smaller) laptop. Power won't be of concern any thing on the market right now is the same. Do your research and you can find reviews and good deals.

Are you a live on residence kind of person?

Then go for a 15.4" or bigger. You can get alot of power for a price that can't be beat. Its essentially a desktop replacment.

Thats it, do research on laptops and reviews and such, but just look for a size range. You won't be needing a super computer or anything.

*Brahmin

There are a lot of posts about using a laptop only if one isn't a heavy user??
But how would you define 'heavy'?
It's funny that there should be variation between students because now it seems like school work is not a deciding factor??

stevedad

seems like school work is not a deciding factor

That pretty much sums it up at many schools. S1 is a frosh at Mudd this year. His only computer is a laptop that we bought when he was in 8th grade. Only use is for email, facebook, wordprocessing, video-conferencing with his GF, and the like. He uses school computers for everything/anything heavy.

Is negotiating to buy a 6 year old laptop from a graduating senior (for less than $100) so that he can watch DVDs. Otherwise, he is fine with the old laptop and the common computers.

S2 is going to Rice next year and, unless we hear good reasons otherwise from the engineering school, he'll likely go with the desktop he's used for quite some time--again, he'd probably use the common PCs.

It all depends on how much money you want to spend.

lkf725

All of son's engineering student friends have found laptops to meet their needs over the past three years.

JP1886

At my school everyone is required to buy a laptop and buy an "engineering bundle" that includes inventor, matlab, etc.

*Brahmin

For what reasons might students take their laptops to class? maybe taking notes, would it make printing easier? and how available are the computers in the labs? won't it be easier not to depend on lab computers, if the work isn't heavy??

RacinReaver

All of those questions are have completely different answers for each student at each school.

*Brahmin

Does anybody know how student discounts work?? Are they available for int'l students? Can you get it from an apple store in any country? Online?