College!

[lastEvolution]

I'm going to be a junior in HS, so college is still some time away, but I was just wondering if there is any real adavantage in using laptops over desktops. Thing is that I really want a new computer. (Ancient PII 450MHz) Money is really tight, so I'm deciding between a mid-low laptop or mid-high desktop. Any suggestions/comments?

Uses...max application I'll use will probably be some gaming. Maybe up to HL2.

[daveleau]

Well, in college, a laptop is great for writing papers, taking notes and doing other things on the road. The minuses are that it is much easier to steal (happens a lot in college) and it will be poor at playing games by the time you get to college, provided you are a gamer. But, in regards to word processing and running any type of scholarly software you want, a laptop bought now would get you all the way through college. I say that b/c colleges usually do not buy high end software, even for engineering departments.

If you want flexibility in functionality, then the desktop is the way to go. But, you lose the ability to work on your system in the library and away from the sterile computer labs, which I always hated.

So, work-wise, a laptop is the best option, but is less fun than a desktop.

[ShawnD1]

Just get a desktop and do all your notes in pen. A laptop may seem great for taking notes about stuff but what happens when the teacher draws something on the board? What if he/she is writing math funcitons? You'll end up needing to take a pen and paper anyway and if you keep text notes on the computer and drawings on paper, you'll have a hard time matching the text to the drawings. Another problem will be with the clicking of the keys, people will start yelling at you to stop making all the noise.

The theft thing is a major issue, you can't turn your back even for a second when you are in university, there's thieves everywhere.

[ben-the-slacker]

Some colleges and universities require you to get a laptop for certain majors, ex: engineering. Check with the school to find out what their requirements are for whatever you wanna major in. If they say a lappy is required, I'd go with that with no extra desktop. But if it's not, then I'd just take a desktop.

[RituallyPure]

Another problem will be with the clicking of the keys, people will start yelling at you to stop making all the noise.

Really?! My laptop keys are barely audible.

RP