<p>So, I've read the Computing at Carleton information and several online resources which state that there are plenty of computers at Carleton and bringing your own in optional. However, I have a son who NEEDS his own computer (His words, not mine).</p>
<p>He already owns a desktop with all the specifications that Carleton recommends. Do students bring desktops or do they prefer laptops? My son seems to think that he will need the portability of a laptop, but computing power of a desktop...blah blah blah. Unfortunately, I cannot afford to purchase a laptop with the specs that his desktop possesses, and if I did buy one it would be a basic model. Given the information that I have already read it seems like overkill to bring two computers.</p>
<p>So, I suppose I'd like to know what you all think about whether I should:
1. Ship him off with his desktop
2. Purchase a simple laptop and leave the desktop at home
3. Ship him off with his desktop and a laptop</p>
<p>Just so you know we live in California. I am willing to ship his computer once. We will definitely not be dragging it back and forth every year which means he will have to store it over breaks.</p>
<p>There are definite benefits to having a laptop on campus - most people end up studying/writing papers in Sayles, the libe, friends’ rooms, etc. I do know people who have brought both desktops and laptops, but not a single person who didn’t bring a laptop…(I’m sure there ARE people who I don’t personally know, but the majority are laptop owners. :))</p>
<p>I know some (very few) people who either don’t have either, or only desktop, and they seem to be doing ok using computer labs here and there, or borrowing computers from roommates, but it’s fairly uncomfortable. If you could get a basic laptop for typing and emailing things (so that he can sit in Sayles, for example, and write his papers and reports), it would be the best. If not, he would probably still be able to get by.</p>
<p>Unless your son is a serious gamer or needs to run a lot of intense graphics on his computer, I’d go with the basic laptop. I’ve found that studying is much more mobile in college. If he’s like me, he’ll mostly be using his computer for doing things online and writing papers, and there are plenty of affordable laptop models up to the task. I believe you can also get student discounts on certain brands through Carleton (definitely Mac and possibly Dell).</p>
<p>One additional negative about desktops that nobody has mentioned yet is that having one inconveniences your roommate(s). I found it really hard to fall asleep with a glowing monitor and the clacking of keys a few feet away. I knew a few people who managed to get through Carleton without any all-nighters, but nobody who was absolutely always done with their work before 1 am or so every night.</p>
<p>I think it’s just a reality of the Carleton workload that you’re often going to want to use a computer late in the evening in a place where you can turn on a light and not bother other people. That can either be a computer lab machine or a laptop, but personally I did not find the 24 hour CMC lab to be very conducive to getting things done.</p>