<p>School where I plan to apply neither require not recommend laptops...however they have limited-range wi-fi networks and laptops can be checked out of the library.</p>
<p>As far as maintenance and functionability, is it still good to get one? Having a desktop guarantees not having to worry about charging/replacing the battery, or comfort while typing long papers. Desktops are generally faster and are always less expensive... Any opinions?</p>
<p>I'ld go laptop</p>
<p>LAPTOPS!!! LAPTOPS!!! LAPTOPS!!! LAPTOPS!!!
Believe me, you don't want that bulky desktop in your dorm room. If you are planning on buying a new laptop, these can be useful in getting wireless net, and taking it to the library, or anywhere around campus. Don't worry about the battery because they last about 2:30 hours, if you're really worried, buy a second one. You are right, though, laptops can be slightly more expensive than desktops. </p>
<p>Here's the one I and every other freshman and junior at Wake has: <a href="http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=-840&productId=8707184&storeId=1&langId=-1&dualCurrId=73&categoryId=2302836%5B/url%5D">http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=-840&productId=8707184&storeId=1&langId=-1&dualCurrId=73&categoryId=2302836</a></p>
<p>It's awesome.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>emsibnd...very cool that you're at Wake... I have some friends there that are freshmen and my uncle went there for undergrad and law school and was a cheerleader. Hope you enjoy Winston-Salem! It's not much of a college town (Borders down on Stratford Rd. is one of the only cool places off campus). I went there to visit this summer and took the tour, but I really can't manage being only 25 mins from home and about 7 mins from my mom's office.</p>
<p>yea, i have an ibm r50. its a great machine, lots of little details that puts it over the top. however, its expensive as hell, and i dont have a top of the line setup. i have a 40 gb hard drive, shipped w/ 256 mb (i added on another 256 from my old laptop), 15 inch display, and that set me back 2 grand. dont be fooled tho, ibms are pretty much the best laptops that money can buy, very rugged, excellent tech support, lightweight, about 3 1/2 hour battery for mine, and overall excellent design. however, you could spend a lot less on say a dell or toshiba and get a lot more for your money. but yes, definitely go laptop, you wont regret it. just keep an eye on it and treat it gently. dont be dumb like me and leave a nice laptop next to an open windown in a torrential downpourm b/c you will find yourself out $1600 (yes, ive been through 2 computers in 2 years. my first was a toshiba satellite, which i liked very much, but when i looked to replace it, it seemed as if their quality had gone down a notch. i still think theyre pretty good though. i honestly wouldnt recommend dells, hps, or gateways. i think youre asking for trouble with those bargain brands, and everyone i know seems to have issues with them. i understand ibooks are very nice too if youre into apples.)</p>
<p>Hey Kyle, I've lived in Winston for about six years now :-). As a matter of fact, I live about 15 minutes away from home. I've been to the Borders on Statford, but I like going to Kyoto Express on the right... great chicken and rice! How "outside" of Winston do you live? K-vegas? :-)</p>
<p>Aha! For me it's more like C-vegas and M-vegas (Clemmons and Mocksville). I actually live in Davie County in Advance (right near Bermuda Run and such...). Both my parents work in Winston, and even though it's only like 15 mins there, it's still 15 minutes too close to home if I were to go to WFU. Ironic to meet someone in your own backyard here...</p>
<p>While I'll agree that IBM's have impressive build quality, they are quite expensive and are most definitely, no contest, the ugliest computers ever made!! </p>
<p>I like my custom-built desktop very much, thank you. I have 300gb more hd space than you'll ever fit in a laptop, and still got room for several more drives. :)</p>
<p>depends on your major and the amount of computer work u have to do.. if it's just word processing, that a laptop will do, but graphic design and other computer science work would require a desktop...</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I know in the case of emdibdn, he's been given a school laptop and will receive (or did receive) a new one his junior year. In my case, my dad, the computer programmer and such, is trying to be practical with money and has the frame-of-mind that a laptop is something that's just not practical. If I felt the need to have one though, I know I could convince him...I'd just need some good reasons.</p>
<p>Most schools will supplement your laptop purchase.</p>
<p>Seeing as I'm in the same place as emsibdn (BTW, Hi!), I also got a laptop with enrollment. I really don't think that I would want a desktop even if I'd had to buy my computer myself, though. The convenience of being able to take it with me would outweigh the price. Plus, my dorm room is small enough that I would have a hard time fitting a desktop in here. Also, it's a lot more comfortable to be able to curl up on a couch or on my bed and write rather than sitting up at my desk. If, however, you're interested in some of the areas like engineering, a desktop would probably be the way to go.</p>
<p>Hey ginnyvere! How's Wake going for you? I agree with everything in Ginnyvere's post :-). The portability and small size is worth the markup. Trust me, you don't want a bulky desktop! Beware, if you manage to convince your parents to buy you one, make sure you take care of it!</p>
<p>Definitely go laptop.</p>
<p>I started out with a desktop, but after awhile i took out a loan to buy a laptop. It just give you much more flexibility in where you study/write papers.</p>
<p>No worries about eye strain and the size of the screen?</p>
<p>If you have the money, go tablet.</p>
<p>are you kidding? tablets are horrible</p>
<p>I have a laptop and I've been very happy with it. I would recommend it just because portability is a big plus on campus. Its kind of a "just in case" scenario (I rarely take it out of my room), but I have had to bring it with me to class to hook it up for Power Point presentations, etc.</p>
<p>I have an Apple Powerbook G4 and I LOVE IT! I had a Dell for the past 3 years and I would have to restart the POS, on average, once a day because it froze or something. Plus, it attracted hundreds of thousands of viruses. It almost shut down b/c it was so virus laden and I had anti-virus software that was updated weekly. My Apple has yet to freeze on me or give me problems. Great customer service, too.</p>
<p>I havn't really read the responses on it, but here's my 2 cents:</p>
<p>Computers in general are essential, and a laptop is really close to being equally necessary. Whether it's to the library, to the cafeteria, or somewhere just off campus or wherever, it's super convenient to have laptop. Portability/convenience is priceless. </p>
<p>Oh, and right up next to a laptop as something every college student should have (and everybody I know here @ UW-Mad has a laptop), I'd say you need a bike. Even if you're at a small LAC where bikes aren't necessary for commuting, they're great for just getting away from it all. If you just want to stroll into the city, or go get your heart pumping, bikes are great in more ways than one.</p>
<p>Adding to my previous statement, a desktop takes up a lot of room on your desk. Whenever I need room to write, I usually put my laptop somewhere out of the way. Also, there are times when I both need my computer and need room to spread out various books and notes all around me; there is no way that I could do that in my room. In those cases, it's really nice to be able to pack up my computer and go spread out in either the library or the lounge. To confirm what Emsibdn said, definitely buy a laptop lock if you get a laptop. I lock mine up even when leaving it in my room, even though I'm reasonably certain that it's safe. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Emsibdn, I love being at Wake! Except for the fact that I just went through one of those weeks (you know what I'm talking about), it's great. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, though. It's going to be nice to have some time off (since we don't get any of the days that all the other school's get).</p>