Computer for college...Laptop vs. Desktop

[Bkas]

I have a desktop, but I regret purchasing it, so I'm saving up for a cheap laptop to supplement it (although I wish I had just initially gone with a big laptop).

It depends on your preference and what you would use it for; also, see how connected your university is in terms of wireless, etc. That could be a pretty heavy deciding factor.

 

[Darein]

I prefer to have a desktop. One desktop will last me a lot longer because I can upgrade it. I don't find myself needing a laptop much, there are plenty of computer labs around campus.

 

[cressida]

have a desktop for home and a cheap laptop for library use (especially for upper engineering students). If you want to take notes, you might want to look into purchasing a tablet PC.

 

[Platypus]

Get a desktop. I cannot tell you how many laptops I've serviced this year from kids around me.

 

[stev0]

wait... how much money do you have to spend?

would it be possible to make a not-top of the line xpc with a smaller lcd (say 15-17") and still be able to get a smaller laptop? like a $800 dell one? granted neither would be top of the line, but you would be able to get both, with failry respectable specs and would have the best of both worlds.

edit:
I have a laptop right now and there is atleast one time a day i wish i had a desktop here... typing on laptop keyboards gets old, looking at their small screen gets old. but it's nice to have when i need to meet up with a group and do some work, or being able to surf off topic while i'm in class

 

[weeber]

I went with the laptop when I started college (way back in '96). It was a P100-pretty good for the time, but a bad decision. It rarely left the room, and by the end of the first semester, I was already anxious for an upgrade. Plus my backlight burned out so I had to send it in for repairs and got stuck without a computer for a short time. I went with a desktop the next year and have always had one since.

I enjoy the desktops larger screen size and normal size keyboard with a numeric pad. That, and the fact I can upgrade it make the desktop makes the desktop a better fit for me.

 

[GermyBoy]

Dang, what a close vote.