laptop usage

Student Lounge College Life
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<ol>
<li><p>If you are taking 5 courses per sem/quarter (is that the avg # of classes?) how often do you carry your laptop to your class?</p></li>
<li><p>Are there any computer programs that is required for a class? (i'm probably going into applied math, econ, or biochem)</p></li>
<li><p>Anything else to keep in mind?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>thanks!</p>

<p>This is kinda off topic but I really HATE the scrabble type keyboards (where there is visible space between each key and the keys look like scrabble, hence the name). I thought it was a mac thing but I saw several windows laptop with those >:( I absolutely cannot type in those. Another thing about macs is that I use keyboard shortcuts a lot so a minor learning issue and not being able to right click...so not only a software but hardware problem for using mac but I really dont have any incentives to use a mac i'll just use any laptop as long as it can run linux :D i'm not really into the 'mac is cooler than windows' thing...</p>

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<p>If you are going to be taking many math and science related courses, I would suggest you getting a Tablet PC (no, not an iPad), its easier. Or hell, just handwrite your notes.</p>

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<p>There are PCs with Scrabble keyboards now? Oh no. I don’t know who thought of that idea, but I hate it!</p>

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<p>I was thinking of tablet PC</p>

<p>i’m glad theres someone out there who hates those scrabble keyboards hahaha congrats on stanford btw</p>

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<ol>
<li>If you are taking 5 courses per sem/quarter (is that the avg # of classes?) how often do you carry your laptop to your class?</li>
</ol>

<p>For me, the average is four courses, which I am. I carry my laptop to every single class. My school is a very “green” school, and many professors emphasize digital notes over paper copies. Therefore, a lot of class material is online, and by bringing a laptop it’s much easier for me to access them. I also take notes for my classes using OneNote. If you haven’t heard of it, you should definitely look into it, as I absolutely love the program for note taking.</p>

<ol>
<li>Are there any computer programs that is required for a class? (i’m probably going into applied math, econ, or biochem)</li>
</ol>

<p>As stated above, OneNote in the MS Office suite is a must-have for note taking. You’re also going to need a spreadsheet and word processing software. If you cannot afford MS Office, then OpenOffice would be a great place to look. It’s a free, open-source office suite available for download online. Also, for an internet browser, I’d recommend Google Chrome. It’s more secure and faster than both FireFox and IE, does not have the memory leak problems that I’ve experienced with FireFox, and I’ve noticed that it increases the battery life on my laptop (aka it uses less power) than Firefox.</p>

<ol>
<li>Anything else to keep in mind?</li>
</ol>

<p>If you’re willing to PM me with a budget and what kind of tasks you’ll be doing on your laptop, I can find one for you :)</p>

<p>And the “Scrabble” keyboards are called Chiclet keys, and to be honest, I love them. I’m a touch typer myself, so I never found them to be a problem, as the spacing on my laptop keyboard is just the same as on my desktop keyboard, so I still end up hitting each key perfectly.</p>

<p>Oh, that reminds me: If you haven’t already, you should learn how to touch type. It’s an amazing skill to learn, as it makes your life easier when notetaking in class. It allows you to look at the professor’s powerpoint slides while still being able to take down everything. One of the most useful multitasking skills I’ve learned.</p>

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<p>Is OneNote for tabletPC’s only?</p>

<p>I know how to touch type…I’m not sure why I can’t type on those scrabble/chiclet keys I always end up hitting the wrong key or getting my finger caught on the keys since the original laptop keyboards are flat whereas the keys on the chiclet style ones are raised</p>

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<p>OneNote is for any computer. I’ve it installed on my PC (great for making PDFs) and my non-tablet laptop. It’s like Word, except you can create and drag around text boxes and pictures, which is great for creating your own custom notes and not having to worry about formatting issues with Word.</p>

<p>And that’s odd; my chiclet keys are perfectly flat as well.</p>

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<p>Anyway what college are you at?</p>

<p>I normally write faster than I type although legibility becomes an issue so that’s why I mighth go for a tablet PC’s</p>

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<p>The chiclet keyboard was first introduced by Sony.</p>

<p>In case anyone wanted to know.</p>

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<p>@ Squelchy: I go to UC Merced. </p>

<p>As for the tablet, I’d definitely would try them out before buying. Tablets are much more expensive than traditional laptops, and while some people I know have adjusted well, others have regretted their purchase. It definitely is a personal preference, and you never really know until you try out the tablet feature. I’d go to a brick-and-mortar store and ask the salesmen if you can try out the tablet, and try writing notes on it to see if you’re comfortable first.</p>