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Desktop or Laptop for College Dorm?

A

alby4ever

Member
I know I'm thinking a bit too far ahead, considering I'm still a month away from high school graduation. I know for a fact that I'm not going to take my 4 year old 700mhz Compaq desktop with me to my dorm. I was looking forward to getting a laptop with Centrino technology (preferably Dell 600m) but I'm not sure if I'd be better off with a desktop. Here's what my main uses would be:

Basics (MS Office, AIM, email, heavy browsing)
Lots of MP3 listening with occasional encoding
Watch DIVX movies (full DVD rips)
Burn CD's
Play a game or two once every 6 months (only game I play frequently is Street Fighter 3: Third Strike)
Watch and save TV shows, then burn 'em on CD (USB tv tuner?)

The first five uses are fine for a laptop, but then there's the fact that I want to watch and encode TV programs on my comp. Is there word of a new USB 2.0 TV tuner coming out anytime before September? I'm really leaning towards the laptop because I'm lazy, and I like the idea of working or chatting while still lying on my bed. And I want to take advantage of the campus wide wireless internet access. The only advantage a desktop would provide for me is a superior TV experience. Or should I just forget about the whole encoding-TV shows thing and just buy a real television? Thanks for any input. I'd appreciate it.
 
Get a desktop with a LCD screen. If space is a concern get a shuttle xpc with nforce2 or something liek that. I wouldn't get a laptop unless you really need one.
 
Laptops are easy to steal, especially in dorms - keep this in mind. Once you have your own appartment or single it isn't so much of a concern.
 
If you are actually going to PORT it, then it's fine to get a PORTable computer. Otherwise, just get a desktop.
I worked in my college's networking dept and one girl had a service appointment. We asked her to bring her laptop to our workshop and her parents flipped out on us b/c they had just got done locking it to the desk and they had no intentions of unlocking it until the girl moved out.
rolleye.gif
 
Get a decent, lightweight laptop and a separate monitor. If you don't do much gaming, the laptop will come in really handy for notes and for wireless internet on campus. I got a big, heavy, Inspiron 8200 only to find that it gets outdated really fast.
 
i work around computers every day, and i can tell you it will be better to go for the laptop. you allready stated you like working or chatting while laying in bed, theres one notch on the laptop side. take this scenario, nned to do a research paper, if you have a dorm roomie (90% of ppl do in college, maybe more than one) chances of him wanting to study same time as you are slim to none, you can go to a lobby, or library, or even outside on a park bench and get some work done and relax with the laptop. deskto, your chained to the exact same spot. Then you mention campus wide wireless network.... holy moley, i WISH we had that on my campus when i was in college, free wireless access? wooohooo, 3 more notches to the laptop side. a laptop can always be used as a desktop (using external mouse and monitor, even external keyboard) but a desktop can NEVER be used as a laptop, ever. A mobile laptop is a college students BEST FRIEND... someone mentioned theft, and yes that is an issue, buddy of mine was in college and personalized his laptop... absolutly COVERED it in stickers (he had no intention of selling it) favorite bands, bumper stickers, whatever, looked awesom, like billie joes guitar... and no one would want it, the first thing someone would do after stealing sometihg is sell it, and who would buy it... 😉 hope i was helpful... of course its all opinion, but if you share it, it can help
 
Originally posted by: Pennstate
I really don't understand why people buy 8lb laptops? What's the point?
Click to expand...

How about:
1. Looks
2. Space, my laptop has a smaller foot print than my keyboard.
3. Utility, may be they only need a system for internet, MSOffice, and email
 
Thanks to everyone who gave their input! igowerf and Paperlantern sealed the deal for me. I guess theft is the only issue I'm worried about. But I'll make sure to invest in security products for my laptop. I don't think I'll be able to stay in a dorm room for such a long period, so the fact that I can work on a term paper in any comfort zone seems very enticing. It's driving me nuts 'cause all I can think about right now is prom and college! But it'll be worth the wait. =] I really appreciated all your input. I'd still be pondering the desktop/laptop question 3 months for now if it weren't for all your advice. Thanks a lot! =]
 
why do I have a 8lb laptop? Well, first of all, so I can fit all the latest toys in there. Nice big screen, 2 batteries, modular drive bays, power. Secondly, I actually bothered to buy a decent laptop backpack and an 8lb laptop suddenly becomes a lot easier to move around. Thirdly, Im either using my laptop in 1 of 3 places, at home, on my desk, at uni in a lecture or at uni under a tree. In all 3 places, Im completely stationary. If I needed to move my laptop around a lot, I probably would have gotten a smaller onw. Right now, Im in love with the one I have. Until IBM release their A40 that is.
 
Originally posted by: Pennstate
I really don't understand why people buy 8lb laptops? What's the point?
Click to expand...
Laptops are already expensive. The small laptops are really expensive for what you get. Some people need a laptop for basic needs.
 
Originally posted by: Pennstate
I really don't understand why people buy 8lb laptops? What's the point?
Click to expand...

Cause some of use want to use them for something other than word.
In college, or even high school, you'll carry around heavier textbooks on a daily basis. Besides it gives you a good strong back.
 
how about this niffty little machine.

10 reason why you should get it.

1) Its quiet.(Room mate would be proud of you when he can sleep well and still hear ur snore instead of the fans whinning)

2) You can expand using the built in PCMCIA type2 slot to wireless internet.

3) Its small, smaller then shuttle XPC. Mind you!

4) Did I mention its quiet? (looks at the shuttle XPC and winks)

5) It is freaking cheap. only 179.99 shipped in newegg.

6) Firewire ports/ 6/4 pins are in this cute little machine. Yeah get that IPOD NOW and use it in this PUNDIT.

7) Use the money you saved to buy a 17inch WIDEscreen lcd. And it is still portable.

8) Did I mention that Chicks will dig it.(not to mention ur roommy)

9) I dont have the answer yet but its possible that you can fit a radeon9100 128mb PCI graphic card to creat a mean gaming machine.

10) Finally did I mention that you can get me some beer with the left over funds.

11) You can put a PCI TV card in this baby.

12) You can put a monster 200GB/120GB hard drive in there and still be able to throw pennies at Bill Gates to make him ashame.

Thats it for now. Will try to update on what I find out on the PCI graphic card.

HEHE forgot to put link. Please reply if you see my post.
 
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