College students: desktop or laptop?

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sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
11,644
2
0
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: sniperruff
Originally posted by: kranky
I'm really surprised at the number of replies for desktops. Performance isn't an issue (she's not gaming) - it will be used for the standard college stuff - papers, research, etc. My personal feeling was that a desktop would be a better choice, but I wanted the wisdom of those who are in college now.
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you never told us if she commutes or not.
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Even then a $30 jump drive is more economical and easier to use than a laptop. Just type it up at home, dump it on the jump, bring the jump to school and plug it into a lab PC and print.

Done.
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some school computers do not allow you to plug in anything USB

in some uber cheap school you'd need to wait to use computers

computer centers are not around every corner

computer centers have a set opened hours

some special programs might not be installed on some computers


want me to go on? i've been a commuter for a semester and i really felt the pain of not having a laptop...

and oh she's living on campus. then a desktop most definitely

good luck
 
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Cat13

Golden Member
Nov 14, 1999
1,108
0
0
Originally posted by: jyates
You can get a whole lot more computer for your money with
a desktop.

Laptops are great if you move around alot but there's nothing
like looking at a full sized screen and typing on a full sized keyboard. :)
Click to expand...

I am slowly phasing out all my desktops at home with laptops. I am getting them all wireless keyboards/mouse, and with the widescreens, they don't feel any different than a desktop.
 
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nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
42,808
83
91
Originally posted by: Cat13
Originally posted by: jyates
You can get a whole lot more computer for your money with
a desktop.

Laptops are great if you move around alot but there's nothing
like looking at a full sized screen and typing on a full sized keyboard. :)
Click to expand...

I am slowly phasing out all my desktops at home with laptops. I am getting them all wireless keyboards/mouse, and with the widescreens, they don't feel any different than a desktop.
Click to expand...

doesn't the non-upgradability get to you? I love my laptop, but in two years, it'll be obsolute and I'll have to pay 1.5K for a new one.

with my desktop, I can replace the motherboard/cpu once a year and I'll only be down a few hundred dollars.

I loved having my laptop at college, but if money is a major issue, you can get a much cheaper desktop and missing out on the portability really won't kill you; my college had computer labs in almost every building, so if you had some time to kill between classes, it's just as easy to go to a lab.
 
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ironcrotch

Diamond Member
May 11, 2004
7,749
0
0
i agree with desktop, especially if your short on monies. you'll look like a fool going to your freshman classes with a shiny notebook. notebooks are more beneficial for upper division stuff, sometimes they are required. but you have 3 good years to worry about that.
 
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Triforceofcourage

Platinum Member
Feb 21, 2004
2,911
0
71
All of the classes I have with computers in them I end up playing battleships and checkers the entire class with my friends and don't learn a thing. So I am for it :)
 
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cw42

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
4,227
0
76
i wish i had gotten a good lappy instead of a desktop. I have three diff programming related classes and all three are lecture (meaning we sit there and look at powerpoint slides and don't have pc's - but for 2/3 there's lab once a week). However, most of the people with laptops in classes are doing nothing class related (games, internet, aim), so in a way it's a good thing not to have one.
 
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thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
1
0
the colleges always recommend laptops, but that's cause they are delusional about how wired (or wireless, heh) they really are. i found a desktop to be just fine while in the dorms. honestly, there isn't really anything you'd need a laptop for. even for notetaking they are more trouble than they are worth.
 
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kalster

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2002
7,355
6
81
if she is not going to game or anythign laptop is better, its more convenient to carry your work machine with you, rather than carrying cd's, usb harddisk or watever

plus when you go home for the break its convenient to take your work machine with you

laptops are pretty cheap these days, you can get a decent one for 700-800 one if you look around
 
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Kraeji

Platinum Member
Oct 21, 1999
2,092
0
0
desktop.. unless she is really cramped for space. I bought a laptop when I went to college and it was a waste.

I just bought one for officer training school though ONLY because they give 1 desk for 2 people and there's not enough room for 2 desktops

and since im going to be a pilot I assume I'll be traveling a lot
 
A

aplefka

Lifer
Feb 29, 2004
12,014
2
0
I'd say laptop simply because there's not as much need for a desktop. I'm not a huge fan of laptops but being able to take them to class is a major plus. Also, most schools have wireless now, so if your friend ever gets bored, she can go on AIM or something.
 
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Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81
I had both. Only times I ever used the laptops were at the library (because I didn't want to use the library ones) and to run the game servers while everyone could use their own computer to join up and play.

It was probably server 90% of the time, and used for school purposes 10% of the time.
 
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Cat13

Golden Member
Nov 14, 1999
1,108
0
0
Originally posted by: loki8481
Originally posted by: Cat13
Originally posted by: jyates
You can get a whole lot more computer for your money with
a desktop.

Laptops are great if you move around alot but there's nothing
like looking at a full sized screen and typing on a full sized keyboard. :)
Click to expand...

I am slowly phasing out all my desktops at home with laptops. I am getting them all wireless keyboards/mouse, and with the widescreens, they don't feel any different than a desktop.
Click to expand...

doesn't the non-upgradability get to you? I love my laptop, but in two years, it'll be obsolute and I'll have to pay 1.5K for a new one.

with my desktop, I can replace the motherboard/cpu once a year and I'll only be down a few hundred dollars.

I loved having my laptop at college, but if money is a major issue, you can get a much cheaper desktop and missing out on the portability really won't kill you; my college had computer labs in almost every building, so if you had some time to kill between classes, it's just as easy to go to a lab.
Click to expand...



Not really. I have found that when I replace my systems, they usually go to my kids (8, 10) or I sell/give them to friends depending on what kind of system it is. I like the portability of the laptops, but I here what you are saying about ugrades and price. I have a desktop right now that I use primarily at home, but when it comes time to upgrade I am not sure what I will do yet. I may keep one desktop but the rest laptops.
 
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Scrooge2

Senior member
Jul 18, 2000
856
0
0
If money is tight go for desktop, lappy is NOT neccessary, really a luxury. As long as the school has a computer lab for printing/scanning etc she'll be fine working in her room.
 
The Stigenator

The Stigenator

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,216
3
81
i have a laptop, i cant live without it.. i dont even have a desktop..

though it bugs me that my fan comes on and doesnt turn off for hours / days at times.

It really depends on the person, i lug the laptop to school , but if all home work is done at home, a desktop is fine.
 
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Chu

Banned
Jan 2, 2001
2,911
0
0
Originally posted by: kranky
I have a friend who is starting college next month and money is very, very tight. She needs a computer. How essential is it to have a laptop? What are the advantages?
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These days, there are only (2) advantages that desktops have over laptops :

1. Gaming (and other high end apps)

2. Large storage space

If she needs neither of these, laptop all the way. These days I only use my desktop for (1) even at home, and just take my laptop around the house with a fileserver in the closet :D
 
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slpaulson

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2000
4,414
14
81
Desktop.
Kiosks are everywhere, and people who use laptops in class just end up talking on aim or other things they shouldn't be doing.
 
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Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81
Originally posted by: Chu
Originally posted by: kranky
I have a friend who is starting college next month and money is very, very tight. She needs a computer. How essential is it to have a laptop? What are the advantages?
Click to expand...

These days, there are only (2) advantages that desktops have over laptops :

1. Gaming (and other high end apps)

2. Large storage space

If she needs neither of these, laptop all the way. These days I only use my desktop for (1) even at home, and just take my laptop around the house with a fileserver in the closet :D
Click to expand...

What about the third advantage? Price
 
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brtspears2

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2000
8,659
1
81
Desktop. I'm yet to do anything productive in class with a laptop, and the desks in lecture halls are barely big enough to take notes the conventional way.
 
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