<p>Not being particularly computer savvy, can someone explain to me the pros/cons of hooking a laptop up to a docking station (with separate monitor, keyboard and mouse) versus just having a desktop and transferring by email the contents of the laptop to the desktop? It appears to me that the cost of the docking station and assorted goodies may well exceed the cost of a separate desktop. Also, with the separate desktop, there will always be a backup of what is on the laptop so if the laptop fails or gets lost, you are not left high and dry. Thanks.</p>
<p>I can tell you now that UVA students have a network drive to store personal files that's accessible on any computer on the UVA network. E-mailing files can be a little hectic as I have seen these past two years.</p>
<p>Onto the dilemma. I checked the numbers and have found that it is cheaper to buy a laptop, docking station, and essentials than to buy a laptop, desktop, and essentials. There is also an issue of space. The desktop will be on your desk, but where will you put your laptop?</p>
<p>I have lived with people in both scenarios. My first year roommate had the laptop/desktop combo. He didn't have shelf or table space for the laptop so he left it on the floor with his piles of clothes and trash. He also awkwardly worked with both machines when doing bigger assignments like term papers. My current apartmentmate has the docking station. The station took up as much desk space as a desktop monitor and keyboard. He works pretty easily with it. He would do some work and take the laptop with him if he was in a hurry and not worry about saving the files on home directory or emailing them to himself.</p>
<p>I would go with the docking station.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the reply. Two more question, if I may. My D mentioned something to me about note taking software that converts into typed text. Have your heard or seen this used by any of the students? Also, on the notebooks, an internal cd drive makes it much heavier. Any need for an internal drive as opposed to an external to be used only when needed? Thanks.</p>
<p>I have seen students use this software, but this is only for tablet PCs and convertible notebooks. About the internal CD drive, I find it annoying to connect X different devices to my laptop at the same time while taking up precious desk space. Having an internal CD drive just makes things easier for me with or without the extra weight.</p>
<p>I think the laptop/station is the better option. In fact, I wouldn't even suggest the laptop/desktop combo. As UVAMalex pointed out, the issue of space is important, as being in a first year dorm room (old or new dorms) is cramped enough without the troubles of an extra computer floating around. Most likely, one computer will be used far less than the other, which brings up the cost issue. Why buy an extra computer to rarely use it when you can buy all of the components you want for less? You can buy a 19" LCD for $100 these days (not Sony or something, but I got a really nice one that I love from Costco for $115), wireless keyboard and optical mouse for $40, and the docking station will be ~$100-200 depending on the brand. IMO, that deal is so much better, especially since laptops are getting so darn cheap and performance is going through the roof.</p>
<p>Now, onward to your second question. The notetaking software would work with a tablet computer, which I own. Virginia Tech (where I am currently, but transferring to UVA in the fall) required them for my class, realized it was a dumb idea, and now is going back to plain laptops. I have a Fijitsu Lifebook T4200 (now 4215, <a href="http://store.shopfujitsu.com/fpc/Ecommerce/buildseriesbean.do?series=T4215%5B/url%5D">http://store.shopfujitsu.com/fpc/Ecommerce/buildseriesbean.do?series=T4215</a>) and love it. It's a tablet PC, and Fijitsu makes the best tablets that you can find, hands down. Toshiba, Gateway, and HP all make models too, and I knew people who had the other brands but always had either issues with them or wished they had gotten a Fijitsu. When I bought mine, I spent about $3400 for the computer, warrenty, and such. Now, the most expensive model with all the bells and whistles (100GB storage, 2GHz processor, ect) is $2100, probably around $2400 with the extra 3-yr warrenty. They keep getting cheaper and cheaper as well, and perform just as well as a "regular" notebook laptop. With the tablets, you can convert it to the tablet mode and write on it just as you would a notebook, which eliminates the need for notebooks and pens and pencils and other junk, which I love. I took it to every class and typed when I wanted to and wrote when i wanted to. My life was in that computer. If your daughter wants to further look into a tablet, PM me and I'll help give you some first hand opinions. When I first got it, I thought I would hate it and never get used to it. Now, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's coming to UVA with me and I'm happy about that.</p>
<p>On a side note, the thing that I love the most is the fact that it's a 12" screen. Yes, it's small. But the point of a laptop is for it to be small and convienent. IMO, the huge things my friends lug around are not either of those two things. And since your D is already thinking about the docking station route, I would highly suggest going for a 15" or even 12" screen so its small, lightweight, and portable, and have the docking station/17" or 19" moniter/keyboard/mouse set-up, and do her term papers on that set-up when she would like a big screen to see everything. I got used to my smaller screen really quickly, and most people do. I doubt I'd go back to a bigger screen, it's just pointless. As for the CD drive, its a hassle to have it external. Minimize the screen, not the hardware. Also, look for computers that have removable internal CD drives. Mine simply pops out and I can replace it either with a spare battery for more battery life or I can put in a plastic "protector" that weighs almost nothing, so it reduces the carrying weight if i'm going somewhere and know that I don't need my CD drive.</p>
<p>19" monitors have huge issues fitting on the student desks. You will see when you come here for orientation.</p>
<p>I also own a Fujitsu tablet. Love it. But had some very bad issues with service. In fact I updated the bios and the damn thing just died. Fujitsu service was absolutely no help. Mine has a built sd card reader and was having issues reading anything larger than a 1GB chip. My race car video system is using 2gb and 4gb chips, so I was ****ed when the thing was not working. So I tried updating the bios from the Fujitsu website. It failed. so the computer sits collecting dust :(</p>
<p>i have a docking station and it's pretty perfect. i don't have to unplug things when i want to take my laptop with me, and it just pops right back in when I get back.</p>
<p>even if you aren't getting a docking station, i would really suggest getting a mouse and keyboard (wireless or not) for your laptop for in your room, it was a pretty necessary thing for all of my roommates at least - our desks are at an awkward position for typing and long papers do not sit well unless you're typing from a good position, aka on a keyboard at a height of your choosing.</p>
<p>definitely go laptop. pick up the docking station and a keyboard and mouse (along with what ever other items you may enjoy) and you've got the ease of the desktop for your lap top. also, since i started using a docking station, i bring my laptop with me to practically every class and always when i go to the library. it's just too easy to click the button and be on my way. i'm also much more organized with my notes having them saved on my computer where i can edit, view, organize whenever and however i want to. </p>
<p>only things i can speak to about what the laptops lack are performance and non-essentials. i picked up an external hard drive because the laptop doesn't have enough storage for thousands of song files as well as huge picture files. also i picked up some speakers because those dinky things locked up in the laptop just don't cut it when you want to crank your favorite song. the only other thing i did was pick up a RAM upgrade because the laptop was running at 512 and my gaming habits demand more :P</p>