<p>well i have a laptop but its garbage doesnt even have word but do you think i need to get a computer before i start hs? im not willing to buy like a mac because i woudnt use it so what is good computer</p>
<p>I would say something negative about Macs, but then your thread would turn into a Mac vs. PC death battle, so I’ll refrain.</p>
<p>Anyways, it’s not really crucial to have a computer freshman year, but it really helps you out A LOT. Many of my teachers assigned homework that required the internet, some wanted you to email them, and most of my teachers prefer their essays typed. As long as you have the internet and something similar to Word , you’ll be fine. </p>
<p>I’m not really tech savvy, so I can’t really give you any advice on what computer to get. All I know is that I have a Dell…</p>
<p>It’s really helpful, I’d say get a laptop sophomore year and it’ll last you up until college. I’ve needed my laptop a ton with homework that required Word & the Internet. I have a Dell Inspiron and it’s worked pretty well for my needs, but it definitely has some technical flaws. I would recommend a Lenovo, they aren’t terribly expensive, and my mother’s works pretty well!</p>
<p>all depent on you
if you can control yourself well ,arrange your time well then computer will definitly do good to you ,but if you addict yourself to it ,then …</p>
<p>I have had the same laptop since freshman year, and it’s great. Having wifi helps, and my teachers did allow us to email questions, assignmnets, and such to them. I can’t imagine the last few years without honestly, but I like mine a lot. The internet is how I studied for AP Euro this year lol! 
</p>
<p>I have an HP Pavilion, but i’m not a techie…</p>
<p>I bought a laptop in 10th grade when I went to boarding school because my school said it would be very useful. I don’t really like laptop computers as a whole, I use my desktop more often (since I am a day student). If you would like to carry around a laptop to class or need a new computer on the whole, then I would recommend buying one. You don’t “need” a laptop in high school, but if your current laptop is old, I would recommend upgrading. Or if you want to save some money, just buy Microsoft Office and put it on your current laptop.</p>
<p>It could be argued that you don’t need your own computer I guess, but I think it’s crucial that you at least have access to one.</p>
<p>Yeah, I would say having a computer for high school is very helpful. Otherwise, you would have to rely on public or school library hours to use the computers, and not all the websites even work on school computers because they have some protection software that prevents students from going on a lot of sites (even if there isn’t anything wrong with the site. It’s quite frusterating).</p>
<p>If you are reluctant to buy a Mac, go for a Dell or Gateway.</p>
<p>If you don’t currently have full-time access to a computer that allows you to word-process, print, and use the internet, I would suggest getting one. Realize that it definitely does not need to be an expensive computer, and a desktop probably makes the most sense, although a laptop has its merits as well. I don’t really want to get into the Mac/PC debate, but personally, I think that while Macs are better for college, PCs are more appropriate for high school, at least if that’s what your school tends to use. I have had friends who have done projects on Macs that cannot play on the school’s PCs, which is kind of a nightmare.</p>
<p>I’m going to get into the Mac vs. PC debate right here now.</p>
<p>If you’re not going to use a Mac, there’s no point getting one. Get a PC.</p>
<p>There, argument settled. PC wins.</p>
<p>I’ve pretty much always had my own computer, I can’t see how that if your family can afford it, why you shouldn’t. It’s not absolutely necessary (in my experience, there are plenty of resources for people who don’t have computers), but why wouldn’t you. You can get cheap desktops for $300 easily, and laptops for $400 (If you’re going that cheap, try to get one without an OS and use either one you already have, or Linux). If your family can’t afford that then that’s one thing, but it’s certinly a better use of funds than any extracurricular ******** you’ll do (atleast if you’re typical of someone who comes here), so definately get one.</p>
<p>Nope, definitely don’t need a laptop/computer. As someone said above access is just fine. If I didn’t have my own I’d probably just head over to my local library. My school library is also open after school so a lot of students do work there as well. </p>
<p>I have an hp mini, nothing special. I got it a few months ago, I plan on getting a full sized hp for college though, maybe even a mac, because I judge a book by its cover! [=</p>
<p>Yes, most definitely. You may not need to own a computer, but without a doubt, you need access to one. Most teachers prefer or even demand that papers be typed. Also, if forget to write down a homework assignment or if you are sick from school and need to turn in an essay, you can always email your teacher. Lastly, the internet is the bomb for studying!</p>
<p>Don’t spend too much money on a computer. Get something that can run Microsoft Office, and that will allow for easy web surfing. Dells, and HPs are decent PCs.</p>
<p>I think having your own computer is not necessary but it will help out loads. Having access to one on the other hand, is probably a must. A lot of my teachers want things typed. Also as others mentioned the internet has so many useful sites with links and resources that are really helpful for completing assignments/studying.</p>
<p>You need access to one (computer lab, library, etc) but don’t necessarily need your own.</p>
<p>To me, it was really important, especially in my senior year. I did a lot of presentations in my classes and really needed access to a computer because I worked long past library hours. </p>
<p>If you don’t have a good computer at home that you can have access to whenever you need one, it is very important to get one. Especially if you are involved in ECs right after school or have a job, trying to manage your homework hours around a library’s open hours is VERY difficult.</p>
<p>Yeah it’s really important. For freshman year I used the family computer that was like ten years old and I think I may have inadvertently caused its death. XD But anyways it broke the week before my sophomore year and then I whined till my mom got a new one. But it was a pain in the as s to work in the open “study” area especially since I had APUSH online and SOOOOO much work. Finally my mom got my a cheap laptop on sale for a couple hundred for second semester and it’s not amazing and the 4 key fell off, but I am so glad that I have it because it made my life so much easier. Basically, anything’s fine for freshman year as long as you have access, but once the AP classes kick in you’ll be dying without a PC. And just get something cheap for high school. It’s only 4 years. <- And look I can still type 4s even though the key fell off!! :)</p>