<p>Do you really need a laptop in college or can you get away with using a desktop in your dorm room? I am thinking about building a pc before i graduate HS. With that investment will be able to use it as my only computer in college? Or is the portability of a laptop essential?</p>
<p>Having a laptop is incredibly convenient. At this moment I’m typing this from my laptop in my college’s library. I can get my computing needs done wherever and whenever I want. You could still build your desktop and get a cheap netbook.</p>
<p>Since my typing speed far exceeds my handwriting speed, I finish taking notes and have time to listen to the professor while everyone else is frantically trying to scribble something down.</p>
<p>It depends on your college and program. In some you literally have to have a laptop in the class so that you can do work. If your university requires a laptop then get one.</p>
<p>I would highly endorse a laptop. So much is done online nowadays concerning classes. Like blackboard system, email (virtually all of college communication is done by this), some classes you will likely have to do work through a online system. Thus you can do it from a person pc (I did it for my first year) but might be a little more easy. But on a perk of not getting a laptop, having to use the computer labs and my own PC kept me a tad more on task since I had more of a time limit.</p>
<p>trust me, you need a laptop. A desktop, on the other hand, is completely optional and I’d say only a small population (mostly intense gamers) have desktops</p>
<p>I have a laptop that I basically use as a desktop, since it never leaves the room. Granted, you can’t sit in your bed with a desktop.</p>
<p>
Yes, for a few computer science classes and to give power point presentations in rooms that have a projector but no computer.</p>
<p>
Because at my old college, you’d have to wait in line to get to use a computer in the library during peak times and because the computer room was extremely noisy. With a laptop I could work in a quiet corner of the library without having to wait in line.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>My entry-level Computer Science class, you need one or you can’t do any of the in-class labs. And my major is far from Comp Sci, it’s only a 100-level class but I have to take it. </p>
<p>Also I would never want to use the computers in the library. I’d much rather find a quiet spot in a cubby at the library to do my work. There’s also wayy more tables and cubbies without computers than areas with computers, so you have much more freedom in where you want to go. Also, sometimes for assignments you need to look at stuff you have saved on your computer.
And what happens if you have a group project and everyone wants to sit at a table in the library? Or wants to meet at a dorm or an academic building and you need the stuff on your computer?</p>
<p>I was required to bring a laptop to some of my engineering classes. I’d literally have failed if I didn’t have one. So like I said, check your school requirements and if it says “laptop” get a laptop.</p>
<p>Yeah, it’s pretty necessary. However, what you could do is having a desktop and then get a super cheap (mine was less than $200 and works quite well) netbook that you can work on on the go. It’s a pretty good compromise IMO.</p>
<p>I had a friend who came to college with a desktop and ended up needing a netbook just for convenience’s sake. It’s incredibly useful to be able to work whenever you have a given time, particularly if your campus is like mine where the dorms are nowhere near anything else but other dorms.</p>
<p>I vote for the laptop. You type faster than you write and it’s more convenient to do your work between classes. If you’re worried about productivity, disconnect the ethernet cord or turn off the wifi.</p>
<p>^ Agreed. You should get a laptop because of its convenience.</p>
<p>When you need to meet to work on group projects, it’s pretty darn useful. Or if you have to give a presentation in a class.</p>
<p>I say laptop. You’d literally be one of the only ones at your school without one. It’s kind of a college staple.</p>
<p>You need a laptop. Period.</p>
<p>If you travel home it’ll be hard to bring a desktop home. The monitor you could probably use a tv but the tower gl if you have to take the bus. Theres remote desktop programs but may be unreliable if power gets turned off</p>