Is a desktop and a laptop too much for college?

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>Hello everyone. I love PC gaming, and as everyone who knows about it a desktop is the best place to play PC games in. I am, of course, bringing my desktop with me. I was wondering though, if a laptop (to bring to classes/notes/etc) is also needed to bring. I was thinking yes because I could make it a school-only laptop, therefore eliminating any distractions from it (like games) and stuff like that.</p>

<p>What do you guys think?</p>

<p>EDIT: Huh, just figured out there's a "College Computers" section >w>Should have posted in that.</p>

2

<p>It’s all about convenience. A laptop is easy to carry on move-in day. If you don’t mind lugging the computer monitor (and stuff) to your dorm when you move in and back when you move out I don’t see a problem with it. Also, if you have enough space in your room.</p>

3

<p>Just this weekend my freshman son shared with me that he loves his laptop (has a large one, with number keypad, etc) for portability and games and wouldn’t want a desktop at school, but he wishes he would have spent less on the laptop and gotten a small cheap net-book type computer just for taking notes in class.</p>

<p>We also had to practically force him to get a printer (thought he’d just use the ones at school). He finally agreed when we found a cheap $30 one at walmart - and he now admits that he is very glad we made him get it.</p>

4

<p>Well thanks for the information. If I have the space, I’ll bring my desktop (after all, it’s already paid for and upgrades to it would come before going to college) because it won’t be expensive to keep. I’ll probably go with a discount laptop from Dell.com with a large HDD and such (like the one I use now- $300 and it has a lot of space).</p>

<p>I could never do with a net-book though, but that’s just me being a computer nerd :)</p>

5

<p>I think you will have trouble finding room for both in the average dorm room. A printer is a good idea.</p>

6

<p>I know a few people who had a desktop and laptop in their dorm rooms. My RA along with two other people on my dorm floor had a desktop in their rooms. In my fraternity house, well a lot of people had both types of computers.</p>

7

<p>I also wanted to bring a desktop and a laptop, so that’s good to know. Would you guys advise getting a netbook for notes (as my laptop)?</p>

8

<p>If you have a desktop, I don’t really see the need for a full-sized laptop. The netbook should be sufficient for taking notes in class.</p>

9

<p>Yeah, I’d get a netbook for notes. Transfer them to your desktop though; you’ll kill your eyes reviewing for long periods of time on those tiny screens.</p>

10

<p>Get a laptop and a laptop ONLY. As long as you keep it plugged in when you’re at your desk, you can play games all you want. You don’t need 2 computers; it’ll only make your day more stressful (“Which computer did I save my homework on?” “Great, now my roomate thinks he can borrow my computer all the time since I have 2” “I need to pay for Microsoft Office/Spyware removal/other programs for both computers”). I’m a proud user of a laptop, and I love it because I can take it anywhere, it takes up less space, and as long as I use my charger I can watch movies and play games (ANYWHERE).</p>

11

<p>your roommate can’t really borrow it if you’re a semi-intelligent human being and put a password on it</p>

12

<p>I have both. It actually works out pretty well. If I have turn-in projects, I have them saved to my flash drive. I definitely prefer my desktop, but my laptop is great for notes and portable uses though.</p>

13

<p>The only reason you really need a desktop is for the mouse and maybe a keyboard if you don’t like the laptop one. I’ve played World of Warcraft just fine (top end pvp) on a laptop, just go out and buy a cheap USB mouse and hook it up to use instead of the touchpad. Laptop actually ran it better than my (admittedly crappy) desktop computer.</p>

<p>My 2 cents. Takes up much less room, portable, etc.</p>

<p>Don’t expect to game on a netbook though. Screen is obviously too small. A laptop should be fine though.</p>

14

<p>Desktops are much(!) better value for money, portability aside.</p>

15

<p>When you need to move out of your dorm, messing with a desktop is a huge pain.</p>

16

<p>Do whatever you think is best. Some of our setups, just for perspective:</p>

<p>There are several gamers in my hall:</p>

<p>-I’m a bit of a gamer, but I’m not very hardcore anymore. My slightly decent laptop does me fine.
-Semi-hardcore gamer across the hall. Has a huge Asus gaming laptop; we call it his portable desktop. But he likes it.
-One hardcore gamer brought with him a nice desktop as his main rig. For schoolwork on the go, he got a cheap netbook.
-Two hardcore gamers I know have both a desktop and a laptop, desktop obviously for gaming and a laptop for schoolwork.</p>

<p>I haven’t met anyone, though, who has solely a desktop. Notice everyone has some sort of portable computer. A laptop is just very, very convenient in college (I’m on the verge of calling it a necessity). If you’re really favoring the desktop, you can opt for a cheap netbook/laptop for portable schoolwork. Since desktops are a lot cheaper than laptops, you just might be able to go with a desktop + netbook setup for about the same price as a gaming laptop.</p>

17

<p>I’m thinking about bringing both next year, simply because I cannot stand to leave my old iMac sitting around for months. It seems like such a waste. :|</p>

18

<p>If you are even a semi hardcore gamer, it’s a giant waste to shell out for a gaming laptop. Bring/build a nice rig and dump 500 max into a cheap laptop for taking notes. Back in November Black Friday, I got an Acer for about 380 dollars.</p>