Ultimate Question: Notebook or Desktop PC for College?

[Stealth1024]

Alright, I'm entering my Sr. year in high school and looking toward college and realizing I would need a computer I figured I would purchase one now and get some use out of it.

On the one hand, I love 1600 by 1200 resolution on a nice big 19" monitor and power of a reasonably priced desktop computer. And since I could watch DVD and TV on it, it would save space.

On the other hand, however, a notebook would be great to carry around to classes, I could get more use out of it in the mean time, and it would take up less space. One big problem though is the price... Especially if I got built in DVD and maybe a TV tuner...

Hey maybe I need both! lol

 

[GTaudiophile]

Desktops offer more bang for the buck and are far easier to upgrade. Laptops love to get stolen, thrown around, beat up. It's often a pain to hook up a laptop in a typical classroom, so you don't see them often during lectures. I'd go for a desktop.

 

[helloedchen]

desktop. laptops tend to get stolen way too often.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

laptop are better for colleges. when you want to sit in the library doing your paper it's much better. buy yourself a big monitor so that you can hook up your laptop to it when you're sitting in your dorm

 

[Noriaki]

I'd like a "desktop replacement" class laptop, because I move around alot (co-op term for 4 months, then back to victoria for classes, then out again etc), and it's easy to pack a laptop with you. But I wouldn't go for a laptop for portable use.

But don't get a laptop in the hopes that you can carry it around school with you. That is really inconvient and it can get stolen.

Get a PDA and learn to write really fast in graffiti.

 

[emonkey]

it really depends on the type of person you are. if youre gonna want to plug into the network and be d/l all day or playing network games then a desktop is your only choice. But if youre a person who will use it for typing reports outside of your dorm room, using in class or anything like that then go laptop.

I would probably get a laptop just to save space. but then knowing me, once i see everyone playing counterstrike the next year id probably bring a desktop and watch my grades plummet and waste all that money. Thank god i couldnt afford college...

 

[RaoulDuke]

Laptops save a lot of space, and nowadays, if you go with a really nice laptop, it's easily able to replace most desktops except for gaming and programs that require large amounts of power, other than the cpu. The nice 15" screens they have are very nice, and they all seem to come with dvd w/tv out nowadays anyways. Then just buy a tv tuner box or card. You can take it to library with you, but i'd suggest not bringing it to class

 

[emonkey]

<< Get a PDA and learn to write really fast in graffiti.
>>



Since im not in college. is this something kids do? i know alot of people who plan on getting a pda for college but even at my most hyper days i could never take notes on a palm pilot. i know htey have keyboards and stuff, but im talking about actually using graffiti that fast.

 

[Stealth1024]

colleges that I've mainly looked at for Computer Engineering have campus wide wireless networks and a physical Fast Ethernet jack within 5 feet of wherever you are on campus.

 

[abracadabra1]

depends dood.
i know my brother spent over $3000 on his desktop last year.

amd 1ghz (slot A)
256mb pc133 rev 2 mushkin
abit ka7
30gb ibm 75gxp
guillemot 32mb geforce2
soundblaster live!
klipsch promedia 4.1
viewsonic gs790
(main components)

he now wishes he had a laptop because he's never at home and always at the library doing work. so, if you plan on being home a lot...stick w/ the desktop. if not, a laptop is definately for you. btw, he didn't think he'd be out at the library so much either.
he's at cornell btw, if that makes any difference.

 

[Imported]

I'm in the same situation right now, entering Sr. year, etc. I've decided to go on the Palm route for now as I'm pretty good at using graffiti, it's almost become as good as my regular handwriting. I do want a desktop PC for College though, or a laptop that can act as a desktop.