Laptops... completely necessary?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
1

<p>My dad had promised me a laptop for my graduation present.. but now it's June and he is telling me that I will have to buy my own. I am not crazy about this idea.</p>

<p>So, my question is... is buying a laptop really worth it? I have seen on other posts that no one brings a laptop to class unless they want to goof off. Is this correct? Also. I have an off-campus apartment with my boyfriend and we will be bringing a desktop computer. We will have cable internet in the apartment.</p>

<p>If anyone could give me some advice on this, I'd really appreciate. With all the money I'm putting into stuff for my apartment, affording a laptop might be a struggle.</p>

2

<p>I don't think its worth it get one in your situation. Reasoning:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Your boyfriend (who you are living with) has a computer already which you can use. </p></li>
<li><p>There are numerous computer labs on campus which you can use if you need to type up something, use the internet, or need to print off something.</p></li>
<li><p>I agree, most of the people I see bringing laptop to class are not using it for educational purposes. </p></li>
<li><p>The only majors that might want a laptop (but still not necessary) is a business major in their 3rd or 4th year or maybe a journalism major. </p></li>
<li><p>For me, I only use a laptop because its portable to transport when going home. </p></li>
<li><p>If you go home and need to get work done then I suggest that you buy a portable hard drive (if you have large files) or a thumb drive (if you expect you files to be small). </p></li>
</ol>

<p>a. the large one: <a href="http://circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=161733&catOid=-12976&c=1&cm_re=top%20mods-_-Top-selling%20Products-_-4%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=161733&catOid=-12976&c=1&cm_re=top%20mods-_-Top-selling%20Products-_-4&lt;/a>
b. the small one: <a href="http://circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=161707&catOid=-13257&c=1&cm_re=top%20mods-_-Top-selling%20Products-_-1%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=161707&catOid=-13257&c=1&cm_re=top%20mods-_-Top-selling%20Products-_-1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>...Other opinions welcomed.</p>

3

<p>You can get a decent laptop with like 512 ram and 80-120 gb hd for 400-500 dollars.</p>

4

<p>To add to my comments above.....</p>

<p>You can also start school without a laptop and if it turns out to be an inconvenience you can go and buy one.</p>

5

<p>Depends, what's your major? There are some where one is required (and needed). You probably will be fine without one, considering you will have access to a computer at home, but I agree with ASMAJ -- try out your schedule the first few weeks and see if you need one. As said, you can find pretty decent, cheap laptops if you ever needed to buy one.</p>

6

<p>I'm majoring in Zoology/Pre-Vet, so my major does not really require one. I know I could find some for $500, but that is still a lot of money to me when it is coming out of my own pocket.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the input. I'll probably take ASMAJ's advice and wait it out for the first few weeks. I really hope I won't have to buy one!</p>

7

<p>I think it might be hard to share a computer in college. Personally, I wouldn't want to rely on a boyfriend's computer for something as important as schoolwork, even if you are living under the same roof. Chances are, you will both want to use it at the same time. In fact, I can't think of a more useful
tool for a college student than a computer of one's own--more important than a lot of other apartment stuff, I would think.
You may want to wait and see, but I would certainly go ahead the first time you see any conflict or problem arising from sharing his computer.</p>