<p>Did anyone buy a computer from the school store? Was it a good deal? Do people at Wash U have more Macs or more non-macs and does it matter?</p>
<p>Relative to the rest of the U.S. population, there is a higher proportion of Macs. I still think PC's outnumber Macs here, but Macs have started to grow much more popular with the release of the Macbooks and the education discounts available through WashU campus store.</p>
<p>I'm debating between bringing a laptop and desktop. Assuming there are computers everywhere on campus, so is there any use in carrying a laptop around?</p>
<p>You can't lug a desktop into a class to take notes on. If you're really split between the two, get a lower end laptop and a lower end desktop - It can actually cost about the same or even less as just getting a "desktop-replacement" laptop.</p>
<p>The only people I know of here who have desktops live within a short distance of campus or they also own a laptop.</p>
<p>No one brings laptops to class?</p>
<p>Some people do, but not many. Unless you're taking notes on them or distracting yourself in lecture or finishing a paper or something, most people don't really need them during class.</p>
<p>It is true that not many take notes during class on their laptops. But I would highly recommend a laptop over a desktop because if you ever want to go write a paper at the library or anywhere else, you need a laptop. I don't know what I would do without mine.</p>
<p>i'd pick lapton over desktop. </p>
<p>library has computers, but they are soo slow and usually you cant get to it when you need it the most--midterms and when papers are due.</p>
<p>Also, they take up less space on your desk : )</p>
<p>Agreed. Also, desktops are a nightmare to transport, whereas with laptops you can just take them through airport security or stuff it in its carrying case and take it with you in the car. So while laptops may not have the power of desktops, the portability more than makes up for it in my opinion.</p>
<p>I would definitely go with a laptop. Sometimes it's nice to take your computer to class if you don't feel like writing pages and pages of notes by hand. Also, lots of places around campus have wireless (though not everywhere yet). With a laptop, you can always use a separate mouse and full-sized keyboard when you're in your room, if that's why you want a desktop.</p>
<p>As for the school bookstore, lots of people buy their computers from there, either online or once they get to school. They tend to have good deals and packages - I know that they're about to come out with a graduation bundle for Apple where you get a free iPod when you buy a computer in addition to the educational discount - you can't get that deal anywhere.</p>
<p>Take a laptop. You'll be in so many meetings for classes (group projects for classes and student groups) where laptops really come in handy. As a trend across the country, most students purchase laptops now. I had a desktop when I got to Wash U my freshman year in 2003 and immediately regretted it. Maybe 8 other kids on my freshman floor had a desktop? Everyone else had a latop. I finally got a MacBook Pro last spring and LOVE it. The last survey done on campus was that 40% of students have an Apple machine. The education discount is amazing. I also have a personal vendetta against windoze machines ;) . Nowadays, there really isn't a downside in having a laptop... it can do everything a desktop can, AND you can take it places (home for breaks, class, student group meetings, library, the reading rooms on campus, the lawns, etc). The wireless internet on main campus is great, as well... eventually they'll put wireless in the dorms, but probably not until Fall 2008 or 2009.</p>
<p>In regards to bringing one to class... it depends what school you are in. If you are in Art or Architecture, you'll be working on it a lot for design stuff (especially after freshman year). I was in the business school, and a lot of the business school classes are 30-50 students in each class and about half of the room always brought a laptop. Great to take notes on, check email, look up relevant course topics online as the professor talks about them, etc. In Arts&Sciences though, there probably won't be many classes where you'll need to bring it to class or even want to (especialy if you have a 7 person class, it might look rude to be on your laptop).</p>