<p>My laptop fried a few months ago so I pretty much need a new comp for stanford. Everyone says a laptop is a better choice than a desktop, but i was wondering, would a pocket pc serve me just as well as a laptop? If i just got a pocket pc with a portable keyboard, it might be more convenient to carry around to class than a laptop and would leave me enough money to buy a nice desktop. The only problem is I plan to be an engineering major so I might need to do stuff in matlab or CAD software im guessing, which i dont think is supported on windows mobile. Then again, I dont see how this will be that great an inconvenience if the comps on campus have the software ill need. Any opinions on this?</p>
<p>Hmm… I’m no expert on pocket PCs, so I’ll address the last part of your questions. You’ll probably be able to use computers in your dorm’s computer cluster or a campus library for your engineering needs. There should be no problem finding a computer for this. However, you should consider the “inconvenience” of this; do you really want to work in your room? Would you mind working in the dorm cluster, where your friends might be (= chatting)? Would you mind walking/biking to the library or staying there for hours on end, even at night?</p>
<p>Well if you get both a pocket pc and a desktop you should be fine. matlab and cad are available on campus computers. To be honest I rarely take my laptop with me anywhere. Usually its in my room whereas I am studying in one of the libraries (either Meyer of Lair). That’s just me however I know a lot of people who like to study in their rooms.</p>
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<p>I second that. Last year I used to return to my dorm at ~3am usually and sometimes I spent the night there.</p>