<p>Okay. So, I am a senior in high school going to college this year, and I need to buy a computer to bring with me to my dorm. And I can't decide between whether buying a laptop (I want to bring it with me to class and take notes on it) or a desktop (a lot safer, so I hear). Can anyone give me some advice on which one is better for college students? Thank you!</p>
<p>By the way, I am going to Washington U in St. Louis, if that makes a difference in choosing a computer.</p>
<p>Definetly get a laptop. You can take it anywhere on campus and surf the web, plus it doesn't take up much space in the dorm room. Just be sure you lock it up when you leave or have trustworthy roommates or it will end up missing. I actually had a desktop stolen from my dorm once, so be careful. (BTW, there are numerous threads on this in the archieve, do a search on this very topic and you will finds tons of useful info)</p>
<p>buy a laptop PC and throw in a mini Mac that you can hook up to an old monitor for another $500</p>
<p>Thanks, guys, for replying. Actually I am leaning towards desktop right now, mainly because it is cheaper, easier to maintain, and not easily stolen. But I have always dreamed of taking notes in class on a computer ^^;, so...</p>
<p>Anyways, I will definitely check out some of the other posts.</p>
<p>What college/major will you be? As nice as taking notes in class on a laptop sounds, for many classes it is not practical or done. At my school for engineering type classes, I have seen two kids with laptops in class, and I suspect they were playing games and not taking notes anyways.</p>
<p>Still, I vote laptop for the easiness of transporting it.</p>
<p>As far as which type of computer to buy - one piece of advice - check with the college you are planning on attending - some schools have pretty specific requirements now - or soon to come - where my DD goes to school they now have 12 majors that REQUIRE laptops - some of these also require very specific types also - like graphic arts may require a different type than other majors for example - so check with the school before you make that investment.</p>
<p>Laptops have become cheaper than you could imagine. You can get a decent budget system from Dell for under $600 shipped.</p>
<p>so I guess the main thing about laptop is its portability, but I am uncertain of its speed and also I hear the battery does not last that long (2~3hr). Also, is it true that laptop has a shorter lifetime? I mean, is it easier to damage it?</p>
<p>I'd recommend a laptop, particularly the ibm t42. It is very durable and fast. </p>
<p>Although it is true, a laptop will not be as fast as an equivelently priced desktop, and due to the size requirements and the travel it will go through, it will obviously not be as durable, nor last as long, as a desktop.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.notebookforums.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.notebookforums.com</a></p>
<p>These guys are a great help for laptops.</p>
<p>If you go with a laptop do yourself a BIG favor and also buy a 4 year service contract. These things break easily especially when dropped, (and they will get dropped). Compared to a desk top laptop computers are horrendously expensive to fix.</p>
<p>Get a PDA based personal computer. These are small and they have wireless internet and you can have notes in them, you can play games on them and some come big, but I would get a laptop if I were you (maybe get a PDA too since it is smaller).</p>