Is a laptop neccesary in college?

ibounce4free

Junior Member
Jul 31, 2006
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I have a desktop but I was wondering if I should get a laptop for college? For people with desktops, do you wish you had a laptop or people with laptops, do you really need it?
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
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It is absolutely not necessary. At least it wasn't when I graduated 3 years ago.

I had a laptop and it almost never left my desk.

*note: I was a computer science major and most of my work including group projects was done in my room. I almost never went to the library or elsewhere to do school work.
 

state 08

Platinum Member
Jun 6, 2005
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No.

Although I have both, a laptop is just a novelty. I DON'T NEED IT, but it's nice to have when you don't feel like using the library's computers.

Want to buy mine?
 

BobDaMenkey

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2005
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No, it's not necessary. It can be quite useful, but it's also a great way to end up slacking of 80% of the time.

If you do get a laptop, make sure it's a 15'' or smaller. My 17'' is a pain in the ass to lug around, and is too powerful for my own good (end up playing games instead of studying).
 

dug777

Lifer
Oct 13, 2004
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Absolutely not.

If you are doing law like me, then almost everyone has one, but certainly not essential (i don't ;))...
 

BMdoobieW

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2000
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Originally posted by: ibounce4free
I have a desktop but I was wondering if I should get a laptop for college? For people with desktops, do you wish you had a laptop or people with laptops, do you really need it?

I made the mistake of sinking a ton of money into a laptop in June 1998 before leaving for college that fall. BIG MISTAKE. However, with being able to get a laptop for less than $500 today (four of them on sale this week), it's a no brainer if you want it to be portable and not a desktop replacement.
 

Soccer55

Golden Member
Jul 9, 2000
1,660
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Definitely not necessary.....especially if you're the type of person that studies and does work in their room instead of in the library. I went through college with only a desktop and never wished that I had a laptop.

-Tom
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
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Originally posted by: BMdoobieW
I made the mistake of sinking a ton of money into a laptop in June 1998 before leaving for college that fall. BIG MISTAKE. However, with being able to get a laptop for less than $500 today (four of them on sale this week), it's a no brainer if you want it to be portable and not a desktop replacement.

Yeah, you know that's a good point... portability for $500 isn't bad. I paid $1500 for my Dell 5 years ago (still going strong). I didn't know about AT Hot Deals back then though, so I probably could have gotten the same thing for $1000. Mine was a desktop replacement model, which really isn't necessary if you HAVE a desktop.
 

jmcoreymv

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Definitely not (at least for EE). I bought a laptop my freshman year and then sold it because I never used it and it was a PITA to type papers on and do simulations.
 

Lonyo

Lifer
Aug 10, 2002
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Go for a super cheap one if you do get one, no point in spending lots on a laptop that a) won't necessarily be used that much b) might get nicked/damaged c) only wants to be fairly portable (so a cheap 14/15" is fine), and d) won't be your main computer so doesn't need to be all powerful.

$450 for a lappy from Dell.
 

Siddhartha

Lifer
Oct 17, 1999
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They are convenient for getting things done between classes.

Get an used one with a warranty off ebay.
 

veggz

Banned
Jan 3, 2005
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Nope, not necessary- most of my friends with laptops just hook them up to a monitor and leave them in their rooms..
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
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not really. I had a laptop / desktop in college... only time I used the laptop was if I went home on Thanksgiving / Spring break, but I could have used my parents PC just as easily.

never really found a use for it at school... if I needed a computer in between classes, I just used a lab.
 

wiredspider

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2001
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not essential, but nice to have, get a cheap one for typing papers and surfing the net, don't spend 1.5k like me
 

KillerCharlie

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2005
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hell no... especially if you're in engineering where you have to use all of your heavy programs in computer labs anyway
 

drum

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2003
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Originally posted by: wiredspider
not essential, but nice to have, get a cheap one for typing papers and surfing the net, don't spend 1.5k like me