Bill0510

I wanted to post this before replies came in but thought I would wait to see.

It is interesting to see that mids do not take notes on computer. In the "real" college world, it seems that most students--including technical majors--take notes on computers these days. It seems that many set up an outline template and take notes on those.

I don't teach a technical course, but I have even seen students use a small palm-like device attached to a portable keyboard as a laptop alternative solely for the purpose of taking notes.

Clicking noise? You should try to take a law school exam with a typewriter clacking away behind you. Some might even suggest that if the clicking could be one more test of your ability to remain focused.

Having said that, however, the "pack" mentality seems to be pretty strong at the Academy. [See Jadler's resistance above.] Your choosing to be th e only one who takes notes on the computer may bring you some attention. [Favorably or not.] You could always ask for professor's permission. [In law school, I sat next to a person who did not trim her nails and the clicking of her nails on the keyboard used to drive me nuts; I don't suppose that is a problem at the Academy though.]

Sooner or later, the note-taking-on-computer dam will break. [Battery powr for the entire day may be your most limiting factor.]

Meg0427

I go to a "real" college. No one uses laptops, and the people that do bring their laptops just play online. You could always take written notes and then type them on to the computer to organize them. The repetition will help you memorize things.

GoinToUSNA08

I have a PocketPC cell phone that runs on Windows Mobile.

It's basically a mini-computer with wifi and everything.

I've been considering getting one of these Amazon.com: Think Outside Stowaway IR Wireless Keyboard for Pocket PC and Palm OS: Electronics to take notes with.

jadler03

Cell phones aren't allowed to be on in classes (at least as of now), unless you are on specific watches (which is intended to be used for official/duty use).

Honestly, I don't think having a laptop, at this point in time, has an advantage over note taking.

Also, as an officer, there are going to be MANY instances where a computer isn't available and you have to know how to take notes quickly....the skill shouldn't be underestimated.

zrmvrhs08

I would say that a laptop might be good for maybe being at your sponsor's house, maybe. Otherwise I wouldn't invest in one just for academy use, because they issue a desktop to you. I might go for like a voice recorder to record lectures if those are allowed. (I don't know :P)

GoinToUSNA08

Good point Jadler.

I'll just do it the way I've always done. Imaginary notes.

Gah not really. I'm gonna have to learn to really take notes and study fast.

navy2010

if you opt to bring a laptop, just keep in mind you may not be able to connect it to the internet on the yard. Last time our mid tried, wireless did not work in bancroft.

would not recommending purchasing anything right now.... get there first, get the academic year underway, and then see where the dust settles.

and while it is true you can have cell phones with you .... and "OFF" when in the classroom, don't be surprised if that changes in the very near future, if it hasn't aleady happened. A recent incident in the plebe class may impact on that practice in short order.

Make due with what you are issued.
Learning to adapt and "do without" is learned in many, many ways.

CurrentMid

If I want to use my personal laptop - it is off the yard over at city dock cafe or out at my sponsors house. Plebe year it was handy when traveling with D&B to work on papers. There are a few spots out on the yard where you can get wireless (from your own paid service) but since Plebes can't sit out and about on the yard even this feature would be unusable for plebe year.

Navy2010 has it right - let the dust settle and figure out what you will rate. Also many professors will not let you use hand helds or anything with bluetooth or infrared - makes it easy to communicate across the room

usna09mom

I sent my mid a new PowerBook at the end of Plebe summer, knowing that she couldn't access the Internet at USNA with her computer. The first year she mostly kept the laptop at her sponsor's home. On liberty she listened to music, shared DVDs with her friends, and downloaded photos from her digital camera to iPhoto. She got an iBook for 8th grade graduation, so it was something she was used to having for schoolwork and entertainment.

Clif

Talking to a plebe when I visited she said they issued desktops instead of laptops after several studies showed that students with desktops did better in school than those with laptops.

Having the convenience of a laptop at your fingertips at all times leads to way too many temptations with the internet anyway. =P