<p>Well, im planning on getting a laptop, but I've heard some bad stories from my brother about people stealing them from students, espec. when they're in libraries. He's in USC, and I know L.A. is pretty bad in general, but how bad is it in Duke?
Is it safe to leave laptops/guitars in your room when you're not around (like in the morning, if you go to the bathroom and don't lock your door). And how safe is it to walk around campus with expensive stuff?</p>
<p>Also, on a sidenote, how useful is a computer for class (i'm not going to use it to take notes, i think)?</p>
<p>In a public space, I'd personally not leave a computer unattended. I see people do it a bunch, and I've only personally heard of one reported laptop theft, but it's just smart to keep an eye on it. It'll be safe to leave your laptops and guitars unattended in your rooms- I know people who constantly left their rooms locked and nothing happened (same with people whose door was always ajar even if they both were gone)- but maybe I'm just a little apprehensive that if my roommate and I will be gone for longer than say... using the bathroom in the morning or asking a friend in another room a question... we lock the door almost out of routine. I feel safe walking around campus w/ relatively expensive things.</p>
<p>The one place I would be careful is off campus... especially at bars/clubs. I've had stuff stolen from me at a club (on my birthday, no less!)</p>
<p>Also- you can buy a laptop lock which I used religiously initially and then when I started to bring my computer with me places I never had locked lol.</p>
<p>For some classes with a lot of notes, I'd bring my laptop because for me it's quicker and neater to take detailed notes on a computer than on paper... but it always became distracting and I'd check email, read the NY Times online, random stuff like that.</p>