<p>So, other than the laptop itself, is there anything else a student needs to get by?</p>
<p>What kind of network(s) are there in the dorm rooms and on campus that students can hook up to? Wired (cat 3, 4, 5, 6), Wireless (a, b, g, n)?</p>
<p>Do people need to bring thier own printers, or are there printers available in the dorms or libraries? If you print on a school or dorm printer, what are the costs?</p>
<p>Anyone use or can recommend laptop locks, and is there a way to secure to the dorm desks?</p>
<p>I have a Kensington laptop lock that works nicely. Have it tied to a bad post by my desk rather than to the desk itself.</p>
<p>There’s wireless in the dorms, but only if you live within range. Many dorms don’t have building-wide wireless. Each room SHOULD have two ethernet ports. Bring yourself an ethernet cable, for download speed if nothing else.</p>
<p>Printers are available in the libraries and computer labs. 6 cents a page I think. Having your own printer is damn convenient, if it doesn’t take up half your desk.</p>
<p>Bring a laptop. You can bring a desktop but it can take away useful space sometimes. As for locks, you really don’t need one but it’s always nice to have one for added reassurance.</p>
<p>Wireless can be amazing or horrible depending on where your location is. Bring a long ethernet cable because wired internet is so much more reliable + FASTER. I would HIGHLY suggest having a printer. You might see yourself in a situation where you need to get to class in 10 mins and you still need to print out your 10 page essay. Even if you don’t encounter that, it’s just really convenient. </p>
<p>Also bring some headphones if you need to drone out any loud surroundings or if you’re listening to music that might be a little embarrassing.</p>
<p>Laptop AND desktop?
What would the desktop give you?
I guess what I am asking is, what do you need as far as processing power is concerned?
If you are starting with new equipment it would seem better to just get a laptop with the right stuff in it. Not much you can’t get in a laptop these days.</p>
<p>The ethernet cable can be any length, but the longest ones can be the most useful. Last year I just used one that was about 4 ft long. My roommate brought one that was about 5ft long and another one that was about 15 ft long (used that one for his xbox).</p>
<p>Printer size doesn’t really matter. I just put mine on my floor and there was plenty of space to put that underneath your desk.</p>
<p>Desktop and netbook combo will work perfectly. I never really brought my laptop to class because I just found myself going on Facebook or playing random flash games during lectures. I’m kind of old-school and need to write all my notes down on paper. However, having something small and mobile like a netbook will be great for taking to class. Then you can have a beast of a machine (desktop) in your room for whatever purpose.</p>
<p>I myself do the desktop and netbook combo. I’m in CS:GD and it’s been very useful. Not for making games, but for programming. The professor does many in-class exercises for those who bring laptops. Being able to do things along with the class is great. </p>
<p>The only thing that sucks is that I can’t do mobile gaming like some people can with their friggin alienware laptops (but hey, that’s why there’s Steam). But on the plus side, I can upgrade my PC to my heart’s content. I recently got a new graphics card and installed it myself. NOT something you can do with a laptop easily. </p>
<p>…Not to mention I have a 22 inch monitor and it’s AWESOME. <em>swoon</em></p>
<p>My netbook is an Acer Z520. 1.33 Ghz Intel Atom processor, 1GB RAM, 11.5 inch screen. A bit slow to boot and open programs, but otherwise I enjoy it for the (large for a netbook) screen size and keyboard. Battery life is nice too. I would recommend a Dell Mini 10 with a 1.6 Ghz processor and at least one GB of RAM.</p>
<p>Now, that programming stuff brings up a good point. What about software? Is it correct assume that Windows and MS Office are a de-facto requirements?</p>
<p>Or is everyone running Linux and Open Office? That would be nice…</p>
<p>I’m sure the bookstore sells student versions of Office, but is that the least expensive way to go? And as far as the CS classes go, are the programming suites expensive? Do suites used vary a great deal from class to class, or do the profs stick to one or two standards?</p>
<p>Basically, I’m wondering how expensive software is going to be.</p>
<p>I’d assume that you can get buy with Open Office for essays, though be sure you’re saving to .doc if you submit online. Programming classes will provide software if necessary (most IDEs are free anyway). In other words, software costs should be pretty low, barring you taking a Photoshop class or something.</p>
<p>@Consider: Dunno about MS Office, I just used the key from a copy my dad brought a while back. Either way the most it matters is that teachers sometimes ask for digital submissions of a certain file type. Windows is pretty much required, a lot of the programming software will not run on a Mac. I haven’t had to pay any money for programming software yet. Either way the computer labs on campus have all the software you will ever need, so if you really don’t want to pay for something, they will likely have it on the lab computers.</p>
<p>@Liesel I have a Macbook but have Windows XP on it (via Parallels Desktop)
Does that mean I’m going to use computer labs to do work or could I get by with my computer?</p>
<p>Bring a long ethernet cable. The first one I bought didn’t quite make it to my desk from the outlet and I had to buy another one at the bookstore. I think I ended up with a 25 ft cable. Also a printer while not essential is very nice to have and bring lots of extra ink cartridges. It’s just so nice to have a printer when you are trying to get that paper done at midnight and the computer lab at your dorm is closed and it is pouring rain outside (just speaking from experience there) and the closest Staples to get ink cartridges at is a bus and half ride away so bring a few extra.</p>