<p>So I'm preparing to go to Rice, and I wondered if I needed a laptop. Is it really necessary? I would take notes using a pencil and notebook, so i wouldnt use a laptop for that. so i guess for assignments, is it useful? and do a lot of kids have one?</p>
<p>It's not absolutely necessary, but really nice to have. I'd say well over 90% of students have them (I'm trying to think of someone I know who doesn't have one, and can think of one person).<br>
I've always been a pencil and paper guy for taking notes during class, but pretty much every assignment you turn in will have to be typed (and I've noticed a trend with some profs to switching to requiring online submissions of papers). And practically any research you do requires a computer, even if you're a fan of the traditional library method.
There are numerous computer labs on campus, but having your own laptop provides you with a lot more freedom. I went for two weeks without my laptop last semester while it was getting its battery replaced and nearly went crazy.</p>
<p>I agree, highly recommended but you could get by without one. I don't use mine in class either, I'd say the majority of people don't. (If it works for you, great, but I've seen people Facebooking in class and I'd probably be tempted : ) Many classes now use Owlspace for online submission of homework. There is wireless pretty much everywhere which is awesome.</p>
<p>If you're wondering whether you should bring/buy a desktop or a laptop, I'd definitely go with the laptop for the reasons mentioned by thelonius and gloaming. I also have a laptop, and while I don't take it to class or study groups, I'm on it all the time, and it's nice ot have the option of taking it with me if I need to (it's kind of heavy and cumbersome...wish I had thought of that two years ago when I purchased it...)</p>
<p>If your question is "do I really need a comptuer?," I'd say definitely yes, if you can have one. I don't know any student who doesn't have one (though I'm sure there are some)...there are public computers at Rice - Mudd Lab is open 24 hours, but it's by the engineering quad (i.e. out of the way for everyone else) and some at Fondren/the student center, but these days, I think it'd be hard to get by if all you have are public computers (both with the growing involvement of Owlspace into academic classes and with many students' (including me) obsession with checking email every five minutes, Youtubing, etc.).</p>