<p>Im gonna be a freshman at Notre Dame next year, and I'm thinking of getting a Mac, but Im not sure if a iMac or MacBook would be better for me. I know that people say you should get a laptop cause of the portability, but I mean, is it really worth the extra cost and less upgradeability? Will it really be that important for me to take it around places? Any advice would help, tell what you guys think through your experience. Thanks</p>
<p>I really like my laptop. But thats just me. If you don't mind having to do everything in your room, then a regular desktop is fine... but I really like the fact that laptops can be transported so easily.</p>
<p>iMacs don't offer any more ability to upgrade than a laptop and are essentially laptops themselves (slightly more powerful since they are slightly bigger and can dissipate heat a bit better, but use mostly laptop components). If you don't have a laptop, what are you doing for winter breaks and summer breaks? Do you want to transport an iMac or desktop with you? Etc etc.</p>
<p>I have both, so I know many reasons to go for a desktop (built my own), but it certainly doesn't make sense in many scenarios. It's a pretty personal choice, feel free to think for about 15minutes and figure it out for yourself.</p>
<p>No, it's not really worth it. If you want a laptop, sure, go for it. But you won't miss out if you stick with a desktop.</p>
<p>^Unless you're coming from far away. I live in FL but go to college in MA, and couldn't imagine the hassle of having a desktop. Not only would it be difficult to store over the summer and difficult to take home during breaks, but I'd hate being stuck in my room everytime I wanted to get some work done. It was nice being able to study in friends' rooms or take it to the library or my boyfriend's dorm (he goes to another college) if I left for the weekend. But perhaps none of these situations apply to you. Or, perhaps they apply so seldom that it doesn't really matter.</p>
<p>Depends.</p>
<p>In CSOM, I have yet to have a class that did not require a group project. I had a desktop freshman and sophomore year, but found it incredibly annoying having to explain that I didn't have a laptop at group meetings. I bought a Macbook and it's more convenient for grab&go, meeting up with people to complete a presentation, etc. </p>
<p>Plus, having to stay in my room to complete things was a nuisance.</p>
<p>If you want a laptop, you could buy a used one on ebay.
Since you want a mac, you could get a used ibook G4 or powerbook G4 for a decent price.
Obviously these aren't the best laptops, but if you just want any laptop then they should be fine.</p>
<p>I love my laptop. it's so much more convenient. </p>
<p>...even if you don't want to take it places you can still move around the room with it.</p>
<p>The majority of people never take their laptops out of their rooms or for that matter the spot on the desk where they first set it down. It essentially gets treated like a desktop with the "option", even if never used, to move it around. In my experience, most kids never bring their laptops anywhere.</p>
<p>i dont know, i think itd b pretty dank to go to the quad on a nice sunny cool day, sit down under a tree and write a paper</p>
<p>i l0ove having a laptop. I have trouble studying in my dorm so its pretty beneficial to be able to take my work elsewhere.</p>
<p>having a laptop is just one big distraction. most of the people i know with laptops just surf the net all the time... even during class.</p>
<p>I bought my laptop last year for $500 bucks from Best Buy. It's lifespan is probably 4 years (unless you are using some cpu intensive apps), so the price isn't necessarily that much more if u look for deals. I will never go back to a desktop because I can move the laptop around in my house...sit on the couch with it, etc.</p>