I'm going to college soon, should I buy a Desktop or a laptop?

Question

A laptop is portable and great to use in class to write notes, but I don't type too much faster than I write.
A P.C. is bigger, but it's more reliable, it can be upgraded, has more memory, and can do lots of more stuff.
A laptop's internet connection may frequently disconnect if it's wireless.
A P.C. is not portable and I may not be able to do homework everywhere I go, but that's why they invented C.D.s and Flash Drives.

What else should I consider? What do you think would be better to buy? Which will help me more in college. Which has more benefits?

Answer 1

First, talk to your college.

But laptops cost more, break easily, cost more to expand and fix and get stolen. If you can, get a desktop. Use a laptop only if you MUST.

For a desktop, consider a Dell. For a laptop, look at a Toshiba.

Good luck and Happy computing.

Answer 2

Youch!

Well I've been in the industry for a long time and in my opinion a laptop is the best option unless you want something for top of the line games.

From a wireless perspective, its really the wave of the future, and in many places its here now. Check if you're college supports wireless, if so, reliability isn't really the biggest issue, security is.

I've run a wireless network on and off for years (since the inception of the technology) and reliability has not been an issue in years.

The only advantages to a desktop are power and the ability to upgrade. If you don't plan on adding components, and aren't a hardcore gamer then again a notebook is the best option.

The only other issue to consider is drive space - if you eat drive space as fast as I do (as much as a couple of gigabytes in a day) a desktop has more internal capacity, and will almost certainly come with more drive space.

On the other hand - external iLink or 1384 drives, or even USB 2.0 drives can pretty much expand drive space infinitely.

If you can afford a good, reliable laptop, with a good warranty, and an external drive for critical data - its the way to go...

-dh

Answer 3

Since you're not typing much faster than writing, I would suggest a Laptop [Macbook]. Even though a PC is much bigger and has more memory, you should also buy [to go with a laptop] a huge external memory drive. They hook up to the USB port of the laptop and serve as a huge "flash drive". Not very portable but you could use smaller flash drives with it for convenience. It can also be hooked up and taken off whenever [No installation I believe]. A 250GB [which is huge] can cost anywhere from $100 - $120-- Well worth it. While a laptop [50GB+] can cost around $1000 - $1500, a PC can cost from $2000+.


I would definitely go with a laptop+USB linked external hard drive + a few flash drives [ I would say this costs around $1700, so you still save money-- ...and college is all about saving :) ]

Answer 4

You do not type too much faster than you write, but you will achieve that once you have laptop; you do not have to retype or adopt other methods to transfer your hand-written notes to e-text.

Laptops these days are very reliable too. Basics of things, like RAM and likely processor can be upgraded in laptops too.

Wireless is an advantage with laptops, you also have the wire connection (RJ-45 and RJ-11) as well usually.

You should consider:
Your budget - desktops are cheaper with more power for the same money.
Capabilities you need - budget laptops are not powerful for serious gaming, video editing or serious programming. That is a general statement.
Your backpack - and if you are comfortable carrying a few kilos around most of the time, smaller and trendier laptops are costlier

Having said all that, since I love computers, and hate taking written notes which I have to transfer later to computer, plus the constant need of programming that I have, I like laptop and desktop both :-)) (okay, prefer laptop)

That said, there have been reports of laptop batteries bursting and/or getting recalled. I do not want my vital parts to get singed, will rather take hand-written notes, thank you.

Think. And though 'exploding' is a serious problem, I am using laptop nonetheless. If you want to use PC for long hours and at odd times (students do, unless they are very organized), you cannot work with a desktop on your lap in bed, can you? (but then, I do not know your priorities in bed...esp. during college...)

Answer 5

There are numerous variations on this theme of choice. Students and faculty at Wake Forest are given standard issue IBM ThinkPad laptops which are replaced every two years,6 while students at the University of Florida can choose the model as long as it satisfies a minimum configuration requirement.

You should check with your college about one year before you start as things are changing so fast, you may be required to buy a specific laptop or will be issued one free as part of the admission process. As much of your time in school and later will be spent on the computer, you should learn to type now so you will be able to keep up and use what ever computer is appropriate. Most laptop can be set up using a standard mouse and keyboard. The keyboard on the laptop is difficult to use, but some people seem to do very well.

Answer 6

I would go for the laptop. You can take it to lectures with you and easily take notes, or have a program record the lecture even. At the University of Washington all of the professors post their lectures in powerpoint format on their websites, so you can follow the lecture while they are speaking.
When you are at home and find typing and just using the touchpad getting really annoying you can always buy a keyboard and mouse to use (wireless is great)
Just do a lot of research in deciding which laptop to buy if you choose that. I am a sophomore and swear by my Sony Vaio laptop! Good luck with school!

Answer 7

Laptops cost more and are great to have. But desktops get the job done. Unless your major is engineering, architecture then really no need. I am pretty sure that your school has computer labs so try out that first. You are really not going to be using a computer everyday for school purposes unless you are in programming. I got my laptop senior just because i wanted one. I got through school fine without it and I did not have a cake walk major either. If you are living in a dorm then that means the roommate can use your desktop to while you are gone.

Answer 8

you want a tablet pc
it is a laptop in which the screen flips open like a notebook, and you can write on it to take notes with the pen. It runs like a computer. You want it with a built in Intel Pro Set Wireless Access card so that you can access any open network connection in the area that you are in. This would be a lot easier for you. Nowadays, laptops and PCs are basically at the same level in regards to updates and memory. You would want 1GB of memory on the tablet PC running Windows. You also would be able to update from Windows Updates on microsoft.com. Trust me, a tablet PC would be better for you.

Answer 9

Lots of laptops come with a lot of memory, I have a entertainment, gaming laptop and it's right up there with my desktop.

You can plug all wireless internet laptops into a modem just like you would with a desktop.

Only downside I have between my Laptop and desktop, 2 hour battery isn't long enough so I just keep it plugged in when I can.

After having my laptop for awhile I love it a lot more then my desktop.

Answer 10

A P.C has more life than a notebook.also a note book gets heated soon and the chance of your parts getting damaged is high when compared to PC.portability is the only advantage in a laptop.Todays notebook comes with a LCD screen which is difficult to be viewed from all angles.once a notebook gets damaged other parts is also likely to be affected soon,but not so in case of PC.so I prefer a PC than a notebook.

Answer 11

i would by a pc if u have trouble typing that way u could write your notes then put them on the computer if ud like on the other hand the laptop can be used all around because the college campus is so big it might be hard to get back to your computer in time for what you need i would consider a portable mem stick