bribri10

Hey all! I've been doing a lot of research on schools and I'm very interested in WashU.

I've been to one of WashU's dorm rooms during a campus tour and I was impressed by how large it was. I was wondering if it would be a bad idea to bring a desktop computer to keep in my dorm. Of course, I'd also bring a laptop for classes and when I need portability, but honestly I have grown attached to my self-built desktop and wouldn't want to leave it at home.

If anyone is a techie, my computer case is a full tower NZXT Phantom.

What are your opinions?

Thanks!

RaVNzCRoFT

Totally plausible. That's exactly what I did.

bribri10

Thanks for the reply, RaVNz! If I may ask, did you have trouble moving your computer your freshman year/how do you plan on transporting your computer when you move out?

My brother told me I was crazy for bringing a desktop to college, but it seems plausible to me too.

onecot59

Why not a laptop with a docking station - monitor, wireless keyboard and mouse.

RaVNzCRoFT

No, I haven't had any trouble. I drove out to St. Louis before my freshman year and I'll probably drive home after my senior year. I store it in St. Louis over the summer. Shipping it might be a hassle but I haven't had to worry about that. I don't know why your brother thinks you're crazy. I know lots of people at Wash U with desktops.

A laptop with a docking station is not a bad idea, but I decided not to do that. I wanted a computer that was pretty powerful. Laptops that powerful are big, and I didn't want to be lugging a huge laptop around with me all over campus. So I found a deal where I could get the desktop I wanted for my dorm and it came with a netbook, which is lightweight and easy to bring to class for taking notes.

Atemporal

I have a custom built rig as well, but opted for a more compact (Corsair Carbide 300R) case. If you have to put it on your desk (and not on the floor or on the dresser) it could potentially take up a lot of space, unless you lay it on its side.

If you put it on your dresser, you should have more than enough space. WashU dorms are big. I know a few people who have custom built desktops with Macbooks for portable use. I personally have a 13" Air, but a netbook could also suffice. I just think the screens are too small lol.

Plus, the screen real estate is nice. Freshman year I made do with an 15" HP laptop screen for an entire year... and hated it. Now I have a 25" monitor that barely fits on the desks in Sofoho. That should be your upper limit for monitor size, by the way... 25". Anything larger and you'll have trouble fitting it if you get the newer desk type that WashU has (the ones with that weird shelf built directly onto the desk).

RaVNzCRoFT

I always keep my case on the floor next to my desk. It is out of the way and doesn't take up much space.

Believe me, if Wash U dorms were so small that it would be inconvenient to have a desktop, you wouldn't hear such good things about the dorms.

bribri10

Thank you very much for your replies! I feel a lot more comfortable bringing my desktop to WashU now.

Also Atemporal, thanks for that 25" warning.