<p>I'm a high school senior looking into getting a new computer, but my mom thinks I should get a laptop because that would be more convenient for when I go away. However, with the low budget I'll probably have, I won't be able to get a very good laptop. Has anyone in here had any decent experiences with bringing a full pc away to school with him or her?</p>
<p>I will just post my pro-laptop opinion here. I have a laptop (as my one and only computer) and it comes in handy on Tuesdays and Thursdays when I have two classes that are close enough time/locationwise that it is illogical to walk all the way back up to/from my dorms (a good 20 minutes each way). It gives me something to do or listen to while I wait outside the second class. In addition to that, it's nice to have a laptop with a DVD player because it always makes for an easy date/group activity. In addition to that, I can take my laptop to the library and just put my notes/research directly into my computer rather than writing it all down and then later put it on my PC. Laptops are definitely convenient but I'd say it's far from necessary. There are a quite a few people I know that have desktop computers and are doing just fine.</p>
<p>Yeah, I love my desktop, but I'm a computer technician, so I'm all about my 400 gigs of hard drive space and easy upgradability. Desktops are definitely cheaper, and no one I know with a desktop has any issues with not having a laptop. That being said, there are times when I wish I had a laptop just so I could do things away from my room.
Its really personal preference. If you want a laptop, even if you don't think you'll be able to get the best one, go for it. You can get a really good laptop for about $1400. Just look around a little - there are always deals going on. I know Dell had a deal last week where they had a $1400 laptop for $750. The deal didn't last too long - sooo many people were taking advantage of it (6 people at my job bought one within two hours lol)</p>
<p>Most schools have enough computers around campus for you to work on even if you don't own your own computer. I am at a boarding high school right now (it is a lot like college) and theres only like 1 computer for 10 people but there are never really conflicts. You can always get access if you need it. So if you think that you need the extra speed of a desktop rather than a low budget laptop, go for it. If you ever need to work in the library you can just email yourself your work and finish it up there. </p>
<p>But welshie does have a point about the DVD/dating uses. But if you need to you can probably borrow one...</p>
<p>Do you bring your laptops to class (i.e. take notes with them, etc.) or do you take notes the old fashioned way?</p>
<p>Old fashioned notes are way better unless you type at a really fast rate. I find it easier to review on paper notes not typed notes. it also helps my memory to write things but if I type them it does nothing for me. maybe I am just a freak...</p>
<p>Through 1 1/2 years of college, I have yet to see one person take notes on their laptop during lecture. With some classes like Math or Chem, it's impossible to take notes on a computer.</p>
<p>I see... ok then, old fashioned way it is!</p>
<p>PS- norcalguy, where in norcal are you from?</p>
<p>All over:) Last place I lived at was Cupertino though (around an hour south of SF).</p>
<p>cool- (as you can see), i'm from near SF (in piedmont, a town inside of oakland)</p>
<p>i have a laptop. i love it but i wish i had a larger hard drive. i have a 60 Gig hard drive but i'm buying a 40 Gig iPod soon and that should help with the memory issue.</p>
<p>people takes notes on laptops and paper, i've seen a fair number of both.</p>
<p>Anyone seen those paper looking pads where it transfers your handwriting to a file on your computer(and some can convert to text- I bet not well though) I know a few people that have them(they're like leather bound notebooks but have a sensor/screen thing instead of a paper pad...?) but they don't seem too popular. </p>
<p>Know what I'm talking about? What are they?</p>
<p>Anovice:</p>
<p>Youre thinking of Tablet PCs. These are either slate or convertible notebook computers. Both notebooks use a stylus that can be used to write on the screen like using PDAs. Slate tablets have detachable keyboards and optical drives for less weight and longer battery life (up to 8 hours or more). Convertible models are just like regular notebooks, except the screen is hinged in the center which allows the screen to rotate and lie flat against the keyboard with the screen facing up and looking like a legal pad. Both kinds of notebooks use the Tablet PC Edition of Windows XP Pro which includes MS One Note and MS Journal These programs allow you to write down notes using a stylus just as you would with a pencil. Your notes can be organized and searchable. You can convert your writing to text which is pretty accurate especially after you install Service Pack 2 from Microsoft (a free upgrade). The thing is you dont need to convert your handwritten notes. Most people just keep their notes in their own handwriting, just the way you would writing into a paper notebook. </p>
<p>Convertible Tablets are more popular than slates. Battery life averages around 4 hours and they weight around 4 to 5 lbs. Tablet screens can be 10 ½ to 12 or 14 inches. </p>
<p>As you have read in this thread, laptops arent of much use in science and engineering classes. You cant draw chemical symbols or math equations on a regular laptop. </p>
<p>Cost is still a problem for Tablets. The least expensive is the Averatec 3500 for $1300 while a Toshiba m205 can run $2400. As a rule, Tablets arent game machines. The Toshiba and HP 1100 can play some PC games, but if youre a gamer, look elsewhere. For school work and note taking in class, you cant beat a Tablet PC. If you can search the old discussion forums, search for Tablet PC.</p>
<p>For more info, take a look at: <a href="http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/</a></p>
<p>Get a Toshiba - they make the best laptop's.</p>
<p>bestbuy.com always has great deals on them.. normally you can get a nice one for like 800-900 bucks.. check around in notebook packages and stuff, tey normally come with a printer..</p>
<p>i think purchasing a laptop for college is the best choice. When my sister went to college it was such a hassle for her and my father to lug everything else along with the desktop + monitor. Though my college had required its students to get one anyways. HP is a company with affordable laptops, though quality is not the best, but it'll do. I personally have a thinkpad, but in hindsight, i payed too much for it, ibms are not that great at all.</p>
<p>given the option of PC or Laptop, i'd go for the laptop</p>
<p>I'm most likely going to Rensselaer (RPI) and they have a mandatory laptop requirement for underclassmen. Their laptop costs $2300. It's an IBM Thinkpad. Personally, if I could get any laptop, I'd buy a dell. They were having an offer last month for $750 off any laptop that cost over $1500. So you could've gotten an elite rig for around $800. Laptops are cool to have... but I'm more of a desktop geek. The videocards and ease of upgrading is just so much nicer with desktops.</p>