<p>Is it better if I bring my laptop to UCSC or should I just use the computers from the computer lab? Which is more convenient?</p>
<p>If you have the ability to get a laptop, you are going to want one. The computer labs are nice and are filled with 2008 Macs and Dells, but I would not want to be in there doing all of my work.</p>
<p>So far, 90% of my classes require computer access of some kind. Many classes require one to submit online homework, take online quizzes, or download online notes. </p>
<p>In this day and age, when everyone has a computer, it is almost a necessity.</p>
<p>If you already have it, you might as well bring it. If you don’t own one, you might look at buying one through the campus bookstore with an education discount, although I don’t know if these rates compare favorably to the deep discounts offered by many online retailers.</p>
<p>I agree, if you have the money, bring a laptop. I wouldn’t get a desktop unless you need the hardware for gaming/etc. Netbooks are gaining popularity and are just a few hundred dollars. Macbooks are also extremely popular on campus, I definitely see more of those in class than anything else these days. Of course, they’re much more expensive…but Apple’s summer education discount gets you a free iTouch and free printer with certain purchases.</p>
<p>I just reread your question, sounds like you already have a laptop? Definitely bring it, and an external hard drive. Back up your stuff regularly, my hard drive actually died last week, and I was up an running again in 24 hours with a new hard drive because my backup was current. Instructors don’t like the excuse of a failed hard drive…</p>
<p>What do you guys do to protect your laptop? Will anyone steal it if you just leave it in your dorm room? Or am I just being paranoid…?</p>
<p>I don’t know what you can do to combat theft, but I definitley have heard some horror stories of it. You are not paranoid, its a good thing to think about. I think they sell laptop locks though? Thats something to talk with your roomie about as well (door locked)</p>
<p>Yeah they have laptop locks and they’re pretty easy to use. You just wrap them around your desk or wherever. But I left my room unlocked for hours at a time with my laptop in it and, while it probably wasn’t the best idea, no one ever stole anything. I never heard of anyone else having anything stolen either.</p>
<p>Laptop locks don’t actually work that well. They’ll keep the good people honest…but if someone REALLY wants to steal your laptop, they won’t have a problem doing it. </p>
<p>[YouTube</a> - Picking Best Buys laptop locks](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bejy-Eg-bU]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bejy-Eg-bU)</p>
<p>[YouTube</a> - funny skit: taking a laptop locked with a Kensington cable](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc_LKOlaO1Y]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc_LKOlaO1Y)</p>
<p>[YouTube</a> - It is easy to yank a Kensington cable out of the slot](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge6sh4srzbI]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge6sh4srzbI)</p>
<p>Does anyone know how effective running LoJack for Laptops is? I’m sure there are some computer whizzes who could remove it. But even then, you still get a refund for the computer if they don’t find it. So I’d say it’s a good companion to a lock.</p>
<p>^^ Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. However, it would be good to check exactly how it works. Cus most computer whizzes would probably just steal the hard drive from a laptop (if they have time, and it doesn’t take much) so if anyone plans on that, they should check to see if the refund would still apply in that case.</p>
<p>Also, if you have a Mac, apparently there’s some application that is like a car alarm for your computer. Once it’s armed, if anyone touches the computer, the alarm goes off. Obviously that isn’t a HUGE thing, but it could call some attention to the thief.</p>
<p>If you are getting a lock for your laptop, i HIGHLY recommend getting a kensington lock. Make sure your laptop supports it before buying.</p>