College computer choice - desktop vs. laptop?

[idad]

I also have to vote for a laptop. The new MacBooks, for example, come with, even in the base ($1049) configuration, core 2 duo processors. Power unheard of even in a desktop just a couple of years ago. My S has one and uses two external hard drives for back-up (one just for iPod stuff) as well as keychain 2GB flash drive (got it for $30) for immediate back-ups and file sharing. We lost his original iBook at an airport (my fault, don't ask!), and he had everything ready to restore when the new computer arrived.

[ucsd_ucla_dad]

Another consideration for laptops (and even desktops) - password protect them and encrypt folders that contain files you'd be concerned about someone else, such as a thief, to be able to see (files with passwords in them, personal information, Word files, pictures, etc.). This way if the laptop is stolen or lost in an airport or something the only loss would be the hardware. With Windows this is very simple to do - I don't know about Mac but would assume it has similar encryption capabilities. The same encryption suggestion applies to files stored on external media.

[kathiep]

Well, the computer lab was not at all close to her apartment (she said sheepishly). One can't really do without a computer altogether!

[arkitex]

Laptop. It's portable if you need it to be, takes up a lot less room than the desktop, and most laptops have plenty of memory and power for most tasks. Also, my D went to a high school where the students all used laptops and the campus was all wireless, so it's what she's used to. She is considering making the switch from PC to Mac. The PC just always has something wrong with it, and while the Mac's aren't perfect, the repair history is a LOT lower. She'll have to make some adjustments in software and how it operates, but thinks the tradeoffs will be worth it.

[mystery2me]

Be sure you know your child's own preference, if he/she has one. When S went off to college, we bought him a laptop, well-researched on necessary specs. One year later, he was buying himself a desktop. He's not a physics major, just wanted one that was better for gaming. He even drives home so he can bring it home at breaks. Sigh. At least he's kept his grades up.

On the other hand, nothing but a MacBook will do for D, who had pretty much taken over mine during her senior year. Because she will now be getting her own, I thought I would be getting it back. Only now I've caught DH using it the last few days. Sigh.

[mathmom]

My son said he didn't use his desktop much, but still liked having it for games. He brought it home and hasn't set it up here, so I'm not convinced how important games are to him when it comes right down to it. I'd say go with the laptop, that's what they'll use most. A dedicated gamer may still want a desktop.

[digmedia]

My son has both. He uses the desktop (the top-of-the-line MacPro maxed out with as much processing power/memory/RAM/graphics card as you can get, plus several terrabytes of external hard drives - he does video editing on it). And he used his laptop to take to class and for when he was off working on film shoots.

But he told me that even that has changed drastically: His iPhone has become his portable computer - taking notes, using the internet to get back to other files, etc... And now that the 3G iPhone has come out, he's upgrading to that. MacLife magazine says that it is like having a Mac in your pocket.

[ucsd_ucla_dad]

This is funny - a year and a half old thread is resurrected and just continues on as if there were no break!

[wis75]

I posted a long time ago, will restate. Son still uses desktop after 2 years- gamer, and with the TV card he got for his birthday last fall... His school states no preference. Don't worry about the majority, go with what student wants. Both have their merits. One thing I learned- some computer science lab work had to be done on the lab computers, one way of being sure the lab was attended/that student did the work I would guess.