<p>Hey,
I will be attending a university this fall and my major would be computer engineering. Though I would be an engineering major(infact computer engineering), I just wanted to ask if computers are absolutely necessary for freshman. While some say, we can use university's computers and don't need one, while many say that computers are must since we have to learn 3 programming languages and many others. I would be grateful if anyone could comment on that.</p>
<p>Which university are you going to? It really depends on your personal preference and your university. I know some universities I applied to (like Virginia Tech and Rose-Hulman) had mandatory laptop requirements. However, others (like UVa and USC, where I'm going next year) have full-featured Engineering computer labs where Engineering students can do all their work at any time.</p>
<p>In terms of personal preference, if your school has a lab, you might find yourself having to wait for a machine at times when they are in heavy use. In that case, you might be more happy with your own PC.</p>
<p>To be sure, it wouldn't hurt to write to your university's engineering dept staff and pose this question to them. They should be happy to give you the lowdown for your particular school.</p>
<p>I agree, it completely depends on what school you attend. At WashU the engineering computer labs were open 24 hours a day, and there were pretty much always computers available, so getting work done wasn't a problem at all. But personally I didn't like having to rely on the labs... its nice to get up, take a break, get some food, and not have to pack up every time. I could have done most of my work in a lab, but I did it mostly on my PC. Honestly though, what I'd hate most about not having my own computer isn't the work problem, its not having constant access to the internet :] Obviously so much of college revolves around email/aim/etc, but also I had lots of coursework/lectures/etc posted online that I'd want to randomly access during my studying.</p>
<p>If you like to eat and do comp work at the same time, you're gonna need your own...</p>
<p>Thank you redski,laurezer and tanonev for your suggestions. As far a s redski question is concerned I will be attending University of New Hampshire. I would be glad if you guys could let me know about the goodwill of the university in the united states. And ya, others also, I would wait for your comments.</p>
<p>Sorry, abryant, but I don't know anything about the University of N.H.</p>
<p>Good luck on your computer search (that is, if you're getting one)</p>