<p>[1] Should I bring a laptop or a desktop to Princeton?</p>
<p>[2] What requirements should I have for my computer?</p>
<p>[3] How is the wireless network at Princeton??</p>
<p>[4] What percentage of students bring laptops to class?</p>
<p>1) yes. princeton has special deals that allow you to buy mac/dells for a lot cheaper than they actually are. Do a search for Princeton SCI.</p>
<p>2) As long as it's fast enough to run office software and adobe acrobat, you're good.</p>
<p>3) Wireless coverage is nonexistent in most dorms, but students do set up their own. In major buildings and libraries there is wireless.</p>
<p>4) Most still use pencil and paper to take notes.</p>
<p>mzhang, how hard is it to set up a private wireless access point? The OIT page pretty much makes it clear that they don't recommend it and won't help you if something goes wrong, but from my experience, configuring wireless routers isn't too much of a big deal. Do you know of any negative experiences, specifically concerning the Apple Airport Base station or Airport Express?</p>
<p>I think question one was asking should it be a laptop or a desktop. As in, which one. I'd like to know ppls opinions on that, too - I hate typing on laptops, and really just hate them with a passion, but the practiciality of having a desktop worries me.</p>
<p>How about a laptop with an extra keyboard? I have a mac powerbook and a wireless microsoft ergonomic keyboard. Works beautifully. But then you'll <em>really</em> hate the laptop keyboard when you take it somewhere...:)</p>
<p>I was just going to recommend that. I think laptops are more prevalent and they are practical to bring home or take to the library. Get extra mouse/keyboard if you hate typing on them.</p>
<p>it is not hard to set up your own access point, if you know how to do it. a less expensive option is to simply get your own wireless router and boost from princeton's regular network. the bad thing is that the people within 150 ft or so of your ap will receive the signal too, theres not really a way to limit that, unless you are really good with networks and can set it up as protected.</p>
<p>a hard drive full of movies will be cool too</p>
<p>Actually, it's pretty easy to set up WEP password protection with most wireless routers. You can also choose not to broadcast your network name and not have a password. That way only those who know the name of the wireless network that you choose will have access. That's not exactly secure, but it's a nice half measure if you have problems setting up a password.</p>
<p>I have a linksys wireless router that's just great, and it was cheap. Set-up was easy except for a small issue with using a mac instead of a pc.</p>
<p>Oh good, it seems as though OIT is scaremongering. I'll remember to pack my base station then.</p>
<p>Techie talk >.<
I have no idea what's going on...the most intelligent thing I've said was "macs are sexy" :p</p>
<p>haha me too...my knowledge of computers is limited to turning it on and turning it off.
how pathetic</p>