Do You Really Need a Laptop for College/University?

For living on residence. People always tell me I should be getting one, but I don't see the point. Is there anything wrong with just bringing your desktop to residence? What are your experiences with this at college/univeristy? Is it worth to invest in one or just bring your desktop?

Personally, I got a laptop, but I also know exactly how small the desk in my dorm is.

(Tiny)

It depends on whether you'll need to use a computer on campus at all. If not, then it doesn't matter.

They're actually requiring all incoming freshman to have a laptop for classes at my university.ExoticAnimal

You don't need one

But you also don't need acalculator for calculus

Both though are highly recommended

[QUOTE="ExoticAnimal"]They're actually requiring all incoming freshman to have a laptop for classes at my university.mrmusicman247

If you have a desktop in your residence, and you can take notes by hand, then no, you really don't need one.

[QUOTE="ExoticAnimal"]They're actually requiring all incoming freshman to have a laptop for classes at my university.mrmusicman247

Do you drive into the middle of nowhere (peferably a field) and write them late at night?

[QUOTE="ExoticAnimal"]They're actually requiring all incoming freshman to have a laptop for classes at my university.mrmusicman247

Starting in september, all first year students in my programme need to have a Macbook pro along with Final Cut Pro and the Adobe suite.

It's probably convenient, but I'm sure most universities have computer stations you can use.

I'm horrible at organizing my notes when writing on paper, and I tend to lose them too....so I started to take notes on my macbook. Plus now that steam is available on MAC I can play games too. lonewolf604

I'm horrible at organizing my notes when writing on paper, and I tend to lose them too....so I started to take notes on my macbook. Plus now that steam is available on MAC I can play games too. lonewolf604

[QUOTE="mrmusicman247"][QUOTE="ExoticAnimal"]They're actually requiring all incoming freshman to have a laptop for classes at my university.BuryMe

Starting in september, all first year students in my programme need to have a Macbook pro along with Final Cut Pro and the Adobe suite.

Responding to the above posts, I tried taking digital notes my first semester of college..worst idea ever. It's not the same as writing notes down on a notebook. Not only that, but I found myself distracted with games, FB, etc..

To the OP though, I would still highly recommend a laptop. Although I didn't use it for taking notes in classes, I still took it everywhere and it was useful for pulling up online notes, or checking things through ANGEL (or whatever program your college uses for organizing classes online). Also, like mrmusicman said, it's also helpful if you want to go to a library/coffee shop/etc.. to study or write a paper...(Or get distracted..:P).

[QUOTE="Hexagon_777"]I smiled upon seeing these two messages posted one after the other.lonewolf604

[QUOTE="BuryMe"]

[QUOTE="mrmusicman247"] That's strange :? But yes you can have your desktop. I prefer the laptop because I tend to write my essays in non-conventional places. Hexagon_777

Starting in september, all first year students in my programme need to have a Macbook pro along with Final Cut Pro and the Adobe suite.

Luckily I started the programme last year, so I'm not part of that.

Pen Tablet + desktop is more ideal than a laptop + desktop imo.

Laptops can be great assuming that you take classes where lectures can be summarized in a brick of text combined with the given supplementary materials. If a lot of diagrams/free-hand work get thrown around, then a pen tablet + One Note is a much better combo.

My college gave me a free macbook.

well not really free but eh.

My college gave me a free macbook. well not really free but eh.Blue-Sky

Why not both? For about 3 years I didn't have space nor make space for a desktop. Since I started college I have gone through 3 laptops and 1 desktop. But only this past year did I have a desktop.

Its awesome to have for some things but if i want to go to the library or anywhere else really and need a puter. A laptop is crucial.

If you enter UCLA's paralegal program, they give you a free laptop. =PAllicrombie

I use my laptop every day at University, couldn't imagine how I'd manage without it.

[QUOTE="Blue-Sky"]My college gave me a free macbook. well not really free but eh.Hexagon_777

No lol. I meant "eh" as in "meh" or "whatever" :P

Well it helped me a whole lot. For the classes I didn't have to always draw diagrams, it was so much easier to type notes. That, and I had instant access to all the power points, class links/sites, and subscription based notes no matter where I was.

[QUOTE="Allicrombie"]If you enter UCLA's paralegal program, they give you a free laptop. =Pmarkop2003

[QUOTE="mrmusicman247"][QUOTE="ExoticAnimal"]They're actually requiring all incoming freshman to have a laptop for classes at my university.BuryMe

Starting in september, all first year students in my programme need to have a Macbook pro along with Final Cut Pro and the Adobe suite.

Forgot to mention I'm taking computer science as well. I just remembered too, I love using Microsoft OneNote, so I can see how that'd actually be useful because you can organize them well and search for things easy which is miles better than looking through written notes. Damn, I didn't want to get a laptop but I can actually see it's usefullness now. Perhaps I will just get a netbook or something that will run it.brandontwb

[QUOTE="mrmusicman247"][QUOTE="ExoticAnimal"]They're actually requiring all incoming freshman to have a laptop for classes at my university.ExoticAnimal

i bought one for uni and i hardly use it. my desktop is where i do all my uni stuff