Few questions about laptops and internet at UC Davis

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Davis
1

<p>So I’ll be attending UC Davis for the fall of 2012, Class of 2016, Biochemistry Major. Anyway, I have a few questions for current students:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Do you need to take your laptop to class at all? My reason for asking is that I will be bringing a 7 pound 15.6" notebook and it is probably too large to be taking around all day. If you do take it around at all, what are you majoring in?</p></li>
<li><p>Would I have any time to get any gaming done my first two years? I don’t mind playing some PC games a few times a week when I don’t have anything else to do.</p></li>
<li><p>Do dorms have wireless or ethernet connection?</p></li>
<li><p>Is the internet connection decent? Don’t want to be lagging if I am playing a game like Battlefield 3.</p></li>
<li><p>Students who took large 15.6-17.3" notebooks to UC Davis: Do you regret your decision? Would you have gotten something smaller if you could do it again?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<ol>
<li>Not at all. Most people write in their notebooks. And a 15.6" notebook isn’t too large. Besides, mine is 17" and I sometimes take it with me to classes (especially when the professor uses Powerpoints and goes through them quickly–unlike other students in my classes, I can’t write that fast)</li>
</ol>

<p>2) Depends on what major you are. I’m a science major and I still have time on weekends to goof off and play around (of course, near midterms, I start getting serious)</p>

<p>3) Yes. But the wireless majorly sucks ass, especially if you live in Cuarto. ResNetx consistently drops or has poor signal, so it’s best to buy your own ethernet cable and hook it up to the ethernet jack in your room. You could also buy your own router if you want. </p>

<p>4) Yes, except in certain areas. Some people think it’s decent, others think it’s a pain in the butt. You can read about MobileNet (the main Wi-Fi network on campus besides eduroam) [url=&lt;a href=“http://www.theaggie.org/2012/04/10/editorial-missed-connection/]here[/url”&gt;http://www.theaggie.org/2012/04/10/editorial-missed-connection/]here[/url</a>]. Better to use an ethernet connection or your own router for gaming purposes. </p>

<p>5) No, not at all. I can see more on my 17" notebook, and my backpack is large enough to fit the 17" notebook (my backpack has a compartment for laptops).</p>

3

<p>Thanks sopranokitty, that was very useful information :). In that case I will most likely pick up a 15.6" notebook.</p>

4

<p>The size isn’t a problem, but try to get a machine with good battery life as there aren’t many power outlets in lecture halls. Also, I’m a computer engineering major and I goof off bigtime sometimes. We all do, so… you’ll be ok :)</p>