<p>Will I need a laptop for aerospace engineering, or can I use my desktop? Do most people carry around a laptop? Also, do I need a computer for orientation?</p>
<p>Either works fine. It depends on your needs. If you want to study in places other than your room, go with a laptop. Most people carry a laptop, though, since it’s more versatile than a desktop. Also, it’s helpful to bring a laptop to orientation, but it’s not necessary. Depending on your orientation group, you may be lucky enough to use any of the computer centers on campus when it comes time to registering for classes–in fact, that’s the only part of orientation that requires use of a computer. If you don’t bring a computer and your group doesn’t get access to a computer center, your orientation leader will most likely provide you with one.</p>
<p>Ok because I have an old, slow one with no battery and an old, slow chrome book 
but my desktop is fairly high end so I’d much rather use it. Do you think a smartphone would work for orientation registration?</p>
<p>I’m a Mech.E and let me say that if you have only one computer, get a laptop. It’s incredibly helpful for running engineering programs, even more so if you join a design project, not to mention going to the TA when you need help with your MATLAB program. </p>
<p>Note: I don’t know about aerobrick, but Baja and Formula Hybrid SAE teams do a lot of CAD modelling, and it’s better to have a laptop in those cases. </p>
<p>Buy a PC. Engineering software doesn’t play too well with MacBooks. </p>
<p>You most likely won’t be using it in class. With engineering classes there is absolutely no way you can take notes with a computer in class with a few exceptions.</p>
<p>Note; You have a high end PC so you can get away with a somewhat lower-powered laptop.</p>
<p>Ok. That helps a lot because I’m actually interested in the SAE stuff, so thanks. Clarifies a lot.</p>
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<p>I signed up for classes on my iPhone at orientation. The only thing keeping you from signing up is not having access to a computer.</p>