<p>I have a question. Do you even need a laptop your first year?</p>
<p>what does what year you're in have to do with needing a laptop or not?</p>
<p>if your question is whether you need a laptop or desktop, its just personal preference. if you would like to be able to do your computing anywhere you please or being able to type notes in class instead of handwriting them, then get a laptop. theres nothing wrong with just having a desktop though if that's what you prefer.</p>
<p>if you question is whether you need a copmuter at all, again its personal preference. there are many computer labs on campus, but if you're gonna have classes with a lot of essay writing then it would be more convenient to have your own computer and printer. if you can live without a computer everyday, then by all means dont bring one (i know i cant :p).</p>
<p>i do want the portability to bring it with me to class to take notes but some of friends say that their laptop never leaves the desk.</p>
<p>Yep. Laptops for notes is still a rare thing.</p>
<p>i dont use it to take notes in class because 1) my laptop is heavy enough that i dont want to carry it 20 mins to class and 2) my classes first year were mostly science/math classes where you cant possibly take notes with on a laptop, unless you have a tablet PC or something :p. though i dont use it to take notes, i sometimes bring it to the lounge or to my friends' room. i just like the convenience factor i guess, knowing that you can compute away from your desk if you need to.</p>
<p>if you want to type notes in class, then get a laptop. your friends are not you, and how they use their laptop will be different that how you use your laptop.</p>
<p>A laptop would be useful to write long papers that require research at the library. They're also useful when doing research.</p>
<p>I'm for the laptop revolution, myself...</p>
<p>Hell, my program requires them!</p>