<p>So what are everyone's thoughts on bringing a computer to UCLA? Is it necessary? Preferred?</p>
<p>Should I bring a laptop or a desktop? Advantages or disadvantages to either (besides the obvious one: portability!) - but I mean are there ever things your "laptop can't do" that made you wish you had a desktop in your dorm?</p>
<p>Also, this may be more of a personal preference BUT - PC or Apples? I saw a bunch of people walking around with iBooks and that seemed cool - but how is "syncing" with the schools IT standards - anything you can't do on campus because you have one or the other (PC or Mac)</p>
<p>And last - buy from the UCLA store or buy from home? Are the discounts significant or could I snag a better deal on the same computer here at home? </p>
<p>It's all a matter of preference. Regardless of mac or pc, you will be able to connect to the school's network easily (on campus and offcampus through wireless)</p>
<p>If you're gonna buy a mac, buy it from the ucla store so that you get the student discount. you can look up the price on the apple store education site.</p>
<p>It's not necessary to bring a computer, but it sure does make life a whole lot easier. (There are labs everywhere.)</p>
<p>Unless you don't need mobility or care about using up space, then go with the desktop. I would assume that one of the things that you can't do with a notebook is intensive gaming.. or at least not as well as a desktop that is similarly priced.</p>
<p>From a desktop user perspective, these are the only scenarios that I could imagine using a notebook: taking notes in class (not very useful for south campus classes) and studying outside of the room (which again isn't very useful unless it's researching for a paper or something.. otherwise: all textbook, paper, and pencil.)</p>
<p>As for PC or Mac: preference. It's probably better to stick with what you're using now unless there's something that compels you to be adventurous and switch.</p>
<p>laptops are every bit as capable as desktops. unless you're a big gamer or something, then desktops might be better (better graphics power). most people just have laptops, some have a laptop and desktop. even fewer have just desktops.</p>
<p>i would say bring a laptop. i brought my laptop. but then a desktop is something that you can leave on like 24/7, while a laptop you should not. but a desktop takes up so much room and if you need to bring something to a class you can easily bring your laptop. i leave my laptop on 24/7, yes i know it's bad. it'll probably blow up someday, but hey that's why i have a 4 year warranty that i paid 500 for haha.</p>
<p>Bring a laptop. Portability aside, its value as a desktop replacement is essential because you need as much desk space for reading/writing as possible. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>yo. I'm configuring a pc for my bro. I'm locking it down so that he doesn't download trojans, porn dialers, and other shiet, cuz he's a nut.</p>
<p>what are the network card settings for dns server and ip address? automatic for both? He won't have admin priveleges, so I need to preconfigure it before he hooks it up to the network.</p>
<p>but I have to protest the whole "locking it down" thing. Thats pretty lame, IMHO. Your bro is going to college - you need to let him be independant. Just get him a good firewall program.</p>
<p>they sell a third-party optical mouse for Macs with a right-click and scroll wheel. the brand name is Kensington, and I would definitely recommend it.</p>
<p>as for engineering students, I'm guessing PC is definitely the way to go?</p>
<p>i think pretty much any USB mouse that works for PCs will work for macs. no need to waste money on those "designed specifically for mac" ones...its just a ploy to get you to pay more money.</p>
<p>yeah, that's true. any usb mouse will automatically work with macs. the mighty mouse is a pretty bad mouse tho..haha. Although it does have some good features such as the scroll ball instead of scroll wheel which is similar to a track ball. It also has touch sensitive sides</p>