<p>If you fill out the FAFSA and Profile chances are you will get a laptop grant especially if you are concerned about affording it…they give a LOT of grants for laptops so that should not be a concern. I think you will miss having a laptop bc you can use it ANYWHERE on campus. It is a very wired campus with few dead spots, consequently people use outside under trees, in the pit, in the classroom to take notes, some profs want you to bring them, some upper level courses or math/physics/compsci classes give you software (you download) to use and they use in class freq.</p>
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<li><p>wait and decide until you see if you get a grant for one. If you get a grant, of course jump at it. If you are a ncaa athlete you may not can receive a grant by law for laptops (i seem to remember reading that)</p></li>
<li><p>No grant, then parents must have enough rocks to help you invest in one…so consider buying theirs…you can get laptop, 4 year insurance against ANY LOSS or DAMAGE, immediate assistance 24/7, drop off & loaners, etc. Think about that over the 4 year life at carolina…probably a good deal.</p></li>
<li><p>Buy a different laptop…I got a nice sony vaio which i take to carolina on my visits and it works wonderfully, cheaper than the think pad but i had luxury of no specs to worry about. Oh yeah, last I heard they don’t want vista so getting a new laptop without is not easy. they may be set up now to support. Last summer the laptops were XP.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t buy laptop and bring your desktop. There are still plenty of computers areound campus to use–in the union, library etc. So much communication now between faculty/students and each other is email/blackboard/facebook etc. you will most likely want check it throughout the day.</p></li>
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