Laptops, really that useful?

TridenT

Lifer
Sep 4, 2006
16,800
45
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Any examples you have to show that your laptop is extremely useful?

I was thinking of getting one, but I'm thinking of having a gaming PC instead or something... I don't see myself needing a laptop since I don't really do productivity work outside the house generally, and if I do... I have school computers to use as always.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,020
10,517
126
They're useful if you need portability. Otherwise, they aren't. The best household use I can think of is being able to sit in front of the TV, or outside. Not that compelling imo.
 

zokudu

Diamond Member
Nov 11, 2009
4,364
1
81
I find that I use my laptop a lot to just go out of the house to get away from my gaming pc and its distractions. Though my laptop is evil in that its only "mobile" enough to go from one outlet to the next >_<

In retrospect get something with good battery life and a web browser.
 

MovingTarget

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2003
9,002
115
106
Unless you travel a lot, do not have access to computers outside your home, or have an overwhelming urge to nef while on the can, then they aren't that useful from a utility aspect. Nonetheless, the same could be said about cellular phones.
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
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Depends on the person. I never saw a need for a laptop as my typing speed is abysmal and I prefer using a pad and pen.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,637
6,521
126
yes, i use mine all the time on the couch and am using it right now while watching the football game.

also i already have a windows desktop, and i wanted to do iphone development, so i got a dell laptop that i could hackintosh. so i've always wanted a laptop just to have one, and now i also have another OS so that i can dev for iphone.

its also great to use while taking a shit.
 

HomerSapien

Golden Member
Jul 19, 2000
1,756
0
0
Buy a laptop that cant handle games and your productivity will go up.

Portability is the main thing as I prefer to lounge and surf the web than be stuck at a desk.
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,764
5,928
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We travel and don't have fancy phones with data plans. For that it is indispensable IMO.
 

TridenT

Lifer
Sep 4, 2006
16,800
45
91
Unless you travel a lot, do not have access to computers outside your home, or have an overwhelming urge to nef while on the can, then they aren't that useful from a utility aspect. Nonetheless, the same could be said about cellular phones.

False. My cell phone is ultra mobile. Fits in my pocket, easy to look simple things up on the web anywhere there is a cell tower within distance(not limited by wifi), and is an all-in-one type device with playing music, acting as a phone, etc. (I has iPhone 4)

I perform well(120wpm+) with full keyboards (non laptop types) and a mouse... not so much on laptops.
 

PhoKingGuy

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2007
4,685
0
76
I don't know how you go through college without one, mine was an extension of my right arm.
 

Fingolfin269

Lifer
Feb 28, 2003
17,948
34
91
I prefer a laptop because I can also use it as a desktop if I really need to hook up to a monitor for some reason.
 

Kirby

Lifer
Apr 10, 2006
12,028
2
0
I'm using mine now with Mint 9. I use it for browsing, watching movies on my tv, and programming (sucks, but I need to develop in linux for my classes). I hardly use my desktop anymore, mostly as storage and the occasional game. I usually remote in via rdesktop if I need to do anything.
 

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
28,799
359
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Uh, do my work at home or at the school computers... It's prettttty easy.

For lectures, I used laptops to record notes.
For some courses, it was a wrist saver - at some point, using pen and paper I'd start to lose my writing ability and legibility was in question for the future.

But, if you don't desire to use a laptop in class, and don't care about portability, then obviously a laptop is not necessary.

I don't get how this is a question:

you either feel there is a need for a laptop because of portability concerns, or you don't.

A laptop was nice at times, even in the home, because then I could study while relaxing on the couch. Also allowed me to use my computer somewhere else that wasn't my desk - could use it anywhere on the campus, could use it in the living room, take it somewhere to do group study.

That's why I just got a cheap Acer laptop 3 years ago - does what I needed a portable computer to do, and did it just fine. I use it less now that I graduated, but still has moments where it's nice to have a second computer that I can use anywhere (handy when troubleshooting or doing extensive overhauls). My money goes into my actual desktop, but I could never say that my laptop was a waste of money - I abused that thing like no other during the years or so years of college I had it (took about a year of college for me to decide it would be a good idea after all).

But everyone has their own personal opinions, desires, and needs. And course styles matter too - a course load of mostly psychology, sociology, and political science - laptops are wonderful. Science and math heavy courses? Not very useful (though a tablet could still work wonders).
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
I don't know how you go through college without one, mine was an extension of my right arm.

I always use the note taking method where you divide the paper in half and put key words/thoughts on the left side and detailed notes on the right. For me, entering the notes into the computer at home or school gave me the repetition I needed for it to sink in.
 

xSauronx

Lifer
Jul 14, 2000
19,582
4
81
I don't know how you go through college without one, mine was an extension of my right arm.

i definitely use mine *all* the time. i take all of my notes on my laptop. i love having an 11.6" model. easy to carry around, big enough to type on without a hassle and the battery life is about 6 hours, depending on usage
 

TridenT

Lifer
Sep 4, 2006
16,800
45
91
I'm all math, science, and comp sci... so... laptop doesn't make sense to me. :/
 
Oct 27, 2007
17,009
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I used my laptop a lot in university. Now it's close to dead and I was considering spending big money on a nice new one, but honestly I'm not sure I'd use it that much now that I'm working. Probably just get myself a netbook.

But yeah, for a computer science student they are definitely useful.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,020
10,517
126
I used my laptop a lot in university. Now it's close to dead and I was considering spending big money on a nice new one, but honestly I'm not sure I'd use it that much now that I'm working. Probably just get myself a netbook.

But yeah, for a computer science student they are definitely useful.

I love my netbook. I gave my full sized laptop to my mother after getting my Eee. It works perfectly for my portability needs, and the price was great.
 

TridenT

Lifer
Sep 4, 2006
16,800
45
91
Several of my CS classes are *nix only, so it's more convenient than dual booting or going to the lab.

I don't do homework outside the home almost ever anyway. So... :whiste:

Dual booting isn't so much a hassle to me.