<p>I did high school summer college at Stanford for 8 weeks with no laptop and was still able to find plenty of open computers in places like the liar. Do such places get a lot more crowded during the year, specifically to the point where it would be a good idea to have a lap top on you? I'm just afraid that if I don't bring a computer, I may encounter a situation where it's evening, and I have a paper due the next day but can't find a computer to work on in a quiet place. Thanks for your help</p>
<p>Hmm. If money is seriously an issue, I suppose you could get away without having a computer at all. You could work in your dorm's computer cluster, which will probably not be full but may get noisy, in one of the many libraries, or the lair. However, a desktop isn't that expensive if you just want the basics (word processing, internet) <a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=999975400050000&type=product&id=pcmprd75300050000%5B/url%5D">http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=999975400050000&type=product&id=pcmprd75300050000</a> and that's all you really NEED for college. The link I posted is for a $360 desktop bundle that includes the monitor.</p>
<p>I think you'd definitely be fine with a desktop instead of a laptop. You'll be able to do research, email, and write papers from the comfort of your room. You'll always have this space, and if your roommate is respectful, it will be as quiet as you need it to be. If you get a laptop, the advantage is that you can take notes in class and bring your machine to the library or to a friend's room for some quiet or collaborative studying. Laptops can be inexpensive, too - <a href="http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Acer-Aspire-14-1-Widescreen-Notebook-PC-3680-2682/sem/rpsm/oid/185211/catOid/-12963/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do%5B/url%5D">http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Acer-Aspire-14-1-Widescreen-Notebook-PC-3680-2682/sem/rpsm/oid/185211/catOid/-12963/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do</a> $370.</p>
<p>No matter what your situation, you'll be fine, but I highly recommend getting some sort of computer if you can.</p>
<p>Personal computers are a big help but they're definitely not a must. I know a few people who got by not having one and personally I don't usually use mine for studying (I use ones in the Lair or Meyer instead) but for personal things. If you're low on cash you can get by without one but as celest said it'd be better if you had one...</p>