<p>I will be purchasing a Laptop sometime in the near future and am trying to figure out what my needs will be at GW.</p>
<p>Do Laptops get taken to classes or do they stay in the dorms?
I figure that if they stay in the dorm I can get a 17 inch, but maybe a 14 if I have to take it to class.</p>
<p>Any other advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>D is getting a MacBookPro. 13 inc 'cuase she’ll be schlepping it to class, i’m sure. </p>
<p>anyone know about laptop security?
i’ll get her one of those locking devices - but do kids use those in the dorms? how do they secure their laptops when they’re not around?<br>
digital cameras?
medications?</p>
<p>i figured on getting her a dorm safe, but i don’t want to make it seem like she doesn’t trust her roommates, ya know? i just figure a 6 person suite is gonna have lots of unfamiliar people in it, yes? </p>
<p>laptop locks and dorm safes sound so fort-knox-ish, but what’s the alternative?</p>
<p>Great question, I am curious about laptop/possessions security as well.</p>
<p>I think I am going to purchase a small safe to keep tiny valuables. Still undecided about the laptop. I have seen laptop safes that attach to your bed. Is that practical?</p>
<p>Only when I leave the room for long periods of time and I don’t want to make my roomates responsible for it, I lock the computer, otherwise, pretty much I carry it just like my phone, everywhere, I am attached to it. 1stimemom: trust is the single most important thing that your child will have to have from day 1. Roomates will become the 2nd family. By the way, you made a good purchase with the mac!</p>
<p>S has a laptop lock but I don’t think he’s ever used it. He actually “inherited” it from his older brother who never used it either. He doesn’t take his laptop to class. He doesn’t have a safe, but his roommate does & he’s allowed to use it if he wants (not sure he ever has). It should be noted, however, that the laptop is the most valuable item he has…he doesn’t have a camera, a smartphone, jewelry, etc.</p>
<p>thanks so much for the feedback - greatly appreciate yur insights!</p>
<p>I appreciate the insight into laptop security, but please back to the original question:</p>
<p>I will be purchasing a Laptop sometime in the near future and am trying to figure out what my needs will be at GW.</p>
<p>Do Laptops get taken to classes or do they stay in the dorms?
I figure that if they stay in the dorm I can get a 17 inch, but maybe a 14 if I have to take it to class.</p>
<p>Any other advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I would not suggest a 17" as they are a beast to haul around. A 15" is fine for taking to class and using in the dorm and if you need a bigger monitor then just get a cheap 21" lcd and hook the laptop up to it when you’re in your dorm. Smaller sizes like netbooks and 13" are more ideal for simply taking notes in class.</p>
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<p>If you’re concerned about having a small screen but want to take your laptop to class, just get a small laptop and a separate monitor - just be sure the laptop has a place to plug in a monitor. Then you can keep all your work on your laptop and take it to class, but have a more work friendly screen in your room. The same can be done with a keyboard. Just look through the add-on options when you built it online - they typically show an external display option:</p>
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<p>I’m getting a 13 inch for so I can bring it to classes. I am also getting a Dell because I have no need to pay twice as much for a Mac.</p>