<p>Overall, what are the pros and cons of having a laptop or desktop at college if you can bring only one computer?</p>
<p>Desktop:
+ Cheaper to purchase and upgrade
+ More ergonomic (has a better keyboard, mouse, and screen)
+ Good for gaming/advanced or powerful programs
- Not mobile (to class or to home on breaks)
- Takes up space (even with a LCD)</p>
<p>Laptop:
+ Portable (class, student union, quad, home on breaks)
+ Space saving
- More expensive/Less Powerful
- Difficult to upgrade/repair (though they can be mailed to service center more easily)
- Powerful ones are too heavy to carry around with you
- More easily stolen or broken</p>
<p>Laptops are more expensive partially because of the LCD display.</p>
<p>Buy an equivalent desktop with a nice LCD display, and the prices are pretty much the same.</p>
<p>(LCD screens are much sharper and easier on the eyes than normal CRTs)</p>
<p>well in general people should put price on the computers aside. The more you spend now, the longer it will be before you have to upgrade. If you buy one notch below the cutting edge technology, you get a good deal. Almost new technology without the hefty price.</p>
<p>i take notes faster on my laptop (and can play/AIM when bored and red rover -- wireless-- is availabe) however, there are classes that laptop isn't good (for example organic chemistry--mostly pictures) but overall, for me, i use a laptop.</p>
<p>how prevalent is red rover on campus. Is it available all over or in just a few buildings, only inside, etc.?</p>
<p>oooh!: <a href="http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_life/notebook_desktop.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_life/notebook_desktop.htm</a></p>
<p>all around the libraries, new dorms, a few building (like statler, MVR :-p yes!, uris) those are the only ones i know for sure...</p>
<p>are there a lot of computer/laptop related thefts at Cornell?</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
oooh!: <a href="http://www.collegeconfidential.com/...ook_desktop.htm%5B/url%5D%5B/QUOTE%5D">http://www.collegeconfidential.com/...ook_desktop.htm
[/QUOTE]
</a>
That has it right, except for the fact that laptops can generally ONLY be fixed by the manufacturer or at least a special, and hence expensive order, if certain parts are damaged, as they are custom. Desktops can often be self-serviced or much more easily repaired by an expert, and as the link showed, it is cheaper and occurs more rarely.</p>
<p>Still, I probably will get one :D. I'll wait as long as I can to get the best hardware for the money.</p>
<p>same plan here vid, desktop in june...</p>
<p>Ehh, i have no idea what to get at this point in time...</p>
<p>It depends on whether I'll be able to study/do work in my room, and how many hot spots there are on campus...as of now, I'm leaning toward a desktop.</p>
<p>Edit: Quick question for current students: Approximately what percentage of students use laptops in class?</p>
<p>Get a thin light (around 3 lb) laptop. TRUST ME on this one. Everyone who got a laptop heavier than 6 LBS will regret carrying that thing around Cornell, especially up the slope or around in class.</p>
<p>If you want to play games or do graphics intensive stuff, get a desktop on top of your thin/light laptop.</p>
<p>All you really need is word-processing power. YOU DON'T NEED THAT MUCH POWER. Don't ever get laptop desktop replacements, total waste of money.</p>
<p>if your good at computers... repairing a laptop isn't that difficult... neither are upgrades... most likely u'll just add ram or add another hd or something... both can be done relatively easily... that said get a laptop and oc it... it'll run like a desktop and it'll be light</p>
<p>sang55, i actually have a heavy laptop (7 - 8 lbs) and I don't find it to be a problem because i have a bookbag with a laptop compartment in the back</p>
<p>approximately what percentage of students use laptops in class?</p>
<p>Hmmm, a laptop AND a desktop...guess that would solve all the problems...I guess I'll get my new Desktop as planned early in the summer, and beg my parents for an ultraportable laptop too, like the Toshiba Protege R100 or one of those Sharp MM ones with docking stations (which are useful to synchronize between the two).</p>
<p>again....approximately what percentage of students use laptops in class?</p>
<p>Stop asking, that's the third time that question has been asked...a current student that sees the thread will answer it (hopefully).</p>
<p>laptops:
acer vs customized toshiba</p>
<p>which offers a better deal?</p>