College and computers.. or laptops

[fatpat268]

Originally posted by: beer

Originally posted by: Jmman
Well, I use an ultraportable 12 inch laptop (PC). It is about the size of a book, so it goes everywhere I go. All of my classrooms have wireless internet as well, so if I get bored with the lecture, I just surf the net, read email, etc......

And this is the only use I've EVER seen for laptops in classrooms. Don't you think that if laptops and tablet PCs were such a slick, useful idea, that someone, somewhere would have used it to take notes? I've been through four years of EE and I've never - not once - seen someone actually take notes on a laptop for an engineering class, on a regular basis. It's just not practical and no matter how you try to do it, you'll always be missing something. If you use a laptop, you can't diagram figures and block diagrams and formulas quickly (quickly = faster than you can write them down on paper). If you're using a tablet PC, then you're constantly having to alternate typing of notes and handwriting of everything else - do you think that's any faster or more efficient?

spiral notebook + the little message flags taht you can buy for $3 at wal-mart to flag important things + highlighters + pencil ftw....

The only thing laptops are useful for is writing code or running through matlab homework somewhere other than in the lab. But you're not doing that in a classroom while you're actively being lectures, but probably at a coffee shop or something.

I think you're missing the point.

There's plenty of people taking notes on a tablet pc now, even some colleges (like virginia tech) require one for their engineering program. If you're using a tablet pc, you don't need to alternate from typing or writing.. .you stick to one method and use for the entire class. Even my calc professor uses a touch screen (he uses a combination of a sony vaio, wacom cintiq, and a projector) to write his notes for his lecture, so that he can upload them to the internet after class. It's just more convenient in the end

Ever since I started taking notes with a tablet, i noticed my grades steadily improving, as I'm better organized, and overall it's easier to study.

Originally, I primarily bought my tablet to ease some RSI pain from constant typing and mousing... and let me tell you, it helps. It's much more natural to just touch the screen for basic mousing functions.

 

[phatj]

buy old d600 laptop on ebay for $550 shipped and then get a good deal on a dell pc for $500 with 19" lcd (They are always around) Then you have a great laptop and an awesome desktop

 

[allies]

I got a compaq turion for $500 last summer, and built my own right. As mentioned earlier, having both is great for back up. My desktop f'ed up during the school year, good thing I had insurance

EDIT: Plus I could do HW in the laundry room with my laptop, or go down to the study lounge if my dorm was noisy, etc. I'd recommend getting both

 

[AbAbber2k]

Desktop. I can write fast enough to pen out all the lecture notes in class, and I like to be able to play games when I'm bored.

 

[Brainonska511]

I got a 14" Wide Screen Laptop for college. Since I'm going to UChicago and I live in NY, it would be a hassle to bring a desktop with me. Also, during breaks, I wouldn't be able to bring a desktop home with me, so a laptop was the only way to go. As long as you aren't stupid with it (just keep it locked up to something when you're in your room, etc...) you'll be fine and also, the space that you save in a dorm room which could be very small is good since desktops take up substancially more room than a laptop would.

 

[potato28]

Depends on your writing speed. If u can write really fast, get the desktop. If u cant write fast, but can type really fast then get the laptop.

 

[Philippine Mango]

Originally posted by: Mellman
Both...grab a cheap laptop for those boring dumb classes, and the desktop for gaming...also keep a backup of anything school related on both computers, that way you wont get screwed if it gets stolen or breaks

Cheap, high quality laptop, like an IBM laptop off ebay.