Is a Laptop Necessary for College?

[Carnage4]

Originally posted by: Chelsey
- I take notes in great detail, and I can type faster than I write
-I'd use less paper
-When I screw up taking notes and have to erase, I miss important stuff
-I'm a perfectionist, so every letter has to be perfect and my handwriting has to be neat
-I'd like to have a computer with me when I visit my boyfriend at Rolla
-I would rather not have to type papers at the same place all the time
-convenience

Without reading the other replies, my two cents:

-I tried taking notes on them, but unless you have a tablet of some sort that you can physically write on, you won't be able to add things like graphs or drawings in any amount of time during class

-Paper is cheap. It takes up more room overall, but it also helps you study better. I forget the name of the effect, but your recall of information is better if you study using the same medium as you test on (i.e. study notes on paper for a written test, study notes on computer for a test in which you will use a computer)

-Some profs won't let students use laptops in class

-If you get out of the habit of writing regularly, your writing speed will greatly decrease come test time; I found that out from firsthand experience in a PoliSci class come essay time on the final

-Laptops are THE most stolen item on college campuses next to bikes, and they're a lot more expensive to lose than your brand new Schwinn.

-Laptops are convenient to type when you don't want to return to your living quarters, but you can get very distracted very easily when using them.

-Laptops are quite expensive relative to computers.

Good luck in your decision

 

[techfuzz]

I guess I'll play devil's advocate here since most everyone's reply I've read so far indicates you shouldn't get a laptop. I find the laptop useful to notes with in class, even my last math class. With note taking on paper, I was always missing some of what the teacher said while I was writing something down because I *personally* have to look at the paper. With the laptop though, not having to ever look at the screen makes a big difference in the completeness of my notes. Also, since my campus is 99% covered by wireless I can work just about anywhere I want, including the outdoor areas like in the middle of the quad.

A valid point that some people made, a USB thumb drive is really nice to have for carrying around small stuff if you just need to go to and from the lab and don't want to carry a laptop around with you.

techfuzz

 

[SagaLore]

My college, specifically for the Computer Information Technology curriculums, now mandatorily requires laptops.

 

[Cerb]

-Take notes: maybe. Maybe not. Depends on other factors.
-Less paper: Doubt it. You already have to do a bit of work on a PC, anyway. Any math or software-related work I do on paper better, actually, even though I can get software that's made to help out with such tasks . We are humans. We are designed to touch and feel things. You may do some things with higher quality on a computer, but paper and <insert stylus-like device of choice> are not obsolete by any means, and are probably a better means of remembering things.
-Screwing up: This I'll go for. If you DO take notes on the lappy, it will help for that, as any self-respecting AT member should be able to type several times faster than they can write.
-WTF? And you took notes by hand before? I can hardly read my own notes...
-Ah, the real reason...
-Yes, especially being able to do work and be on the 'net when not in your room.

So while you may get use out of one, you do not need it. Now, if you didn't already have a normal PC to use, then a laptop would be a good choice (I'm wishing I had some money for a Sony T-series, msyelf ).

 

[Rayden]

A laptop is required for my school. Literally required. You have to buy one from the school. Because of this they are used in many classes. Both CS classes I have taken we do stuff on them every day. In my Logic Design class we use laptops in class twice a week. In Differential Equations we were allowed to use Maple (math program) on tests.

All laptops have software installed to allow us to access our network drives. All classroom buildings are wireless and all laptops are wireless.

I can't imagine studying CS without everyone having a laptop to bring to class every day.

BTW, I don't use my laptop to take any notes. I may try it at some point though. I don't usually take notes though. It's easier to take math notes on paper, and most of my other classes there are diagrams to draw.

 

[travlen]

At my school whenever there were many pages of notes the professor would make them available over the web in powerpoint format.
We could print them off and follow along in class.
Instead of writing like a madman, you can actually pay attention to what's being taught.

Any other notes to write were short and we could just jot them down on the sides of the printouts.

I think you will find the laptop a hassle in class and most times useless.

I would suggest learninig to take notes in a sloppy shorthand form.
I.e. Only write the important point, etc...

Cliff Notes: NO

 

[Sachmho]

you don't need one, certainly, but it is definately nice to have two computers. I should know; i recently had my video card overheat due to a stuck wire in the heatsink fan, which burned out my mobo, rendering the tower virtually useless. having my laptop also, I was able to continue to compute at standard frequency until time permitted construction of a new tower. There is that, plus the fact that I do use my laptop a decent amount in addition to a functioning tower, as I am doing right now as a means of doing work elsewhere while my roommate sleeps (far too lazy) anyhow, not necessary, but yes, very helpful.

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
My college, specifically for the Computer Information Technology curriculums, now mandatorily requires laptops.

Which one?

Clickity clacking = rude and inconsiderate

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

NO.

Was I persuasive enough?

 

[Schrodinger]

Finishing up at college this semester (CS with a 4.0 GPA) and never needed a laptop once. They are a hindrance more than anything. Most goofballs just play games all class.

Then again my profs (by far the majority of them) posted notes online.

However, if your course involves much note taking then get a lightweight one with limited graphics and gaming ability heh. Plus its much easier to carry a 3lb laptop around campus than a 9lb'er.

typing = much faster than handwriting

 

[bobsmith1492]

Well, I use mine a lot as a portable, but that's just because all my classes are at the campus away from the one I live at and I'd rather not take 6 half-hour bus rides every day, so I just stay down there, and I can do my homework while there. CAN is the key operator here..... it does come in very handy in any case.

 

[OMG1Penguin]

Vote: No

Owned.

 

[amol]

laptop necessary if youre upgrading from desktop/leaving desktop at home

otherwise, no

 

[ElFenix]

hedgehogs are sooo cute

 

[Klandestine]

i was going to get one after i got there, once i was there i just spent the money on :beer:

 

[digitalsm]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Unless your college classes actually ask that you bring your laptop to class (for example, the Med program at Duke has their students lugging around a laptop to most lectures), you won't get much more use out of a laptop than a desktop.

Most professional programs require laptops these days, atleast the top law, med, and public policy ones do. Why? Because its a useful tool for looking at information in class.

Having a laptop for lectures as an undergrad isnt needed.

 

[Rayden]

Just to make it clear, most people here are arguing against laptops for note taking. I would agree.

I think the necessity for a laptop at my school is because the curriculum of many courses is based around it. Not every class uses laptops, but many do. I find this especially helpful for CS classes where we spend the last half of every class getting started on whatever we were learning in the first half. If the course is not structured this way it may not be at all useful to have a laptop.

It is also wonderful to be able to work on CS projects with my teammates anywhere, in the CS lab, in my dorm room, wherever. It also makes it much easier to get help with code.

I will repeat that after 1.5 CS quarters using a laptop in class, I can't imagine not learning it this way. I did take a Java course before I came to this college and it was difficult because I'd learn the code in class, but I'd have to do the code at home where I couldn't ask people questions right away.

 

[imthebadguy]

not nescesary, im in my sophomore yr and got a laptop just now just for the hell of it, its convienent sometimes, but not at all req's

 

[machintos]

I got through college without a laptop. I don't think you need one... but if you really want one, go for it.

 

[Greyd]

one thing u need to remember also...is not whether u need one or not...rather whether your parents can afford it (if they are paying for it)
PS I didnt read whoel thread..too long so if thats not the case or its been covered already...disregard

 

[Tanner]

totally.

if you can type faster than you can write, don't even MESS w/ writing! Of course, consider that you're going to be carrying aroudn $1000 w/ you all the time. Better make sure you're up to that when someone wants to steal it from you or when you want to leave your desk...etc.

If I were in college again, oh wait, I am again... yeah, get a laptop! the Dell 8600 seems GREAT for large text size(wide screen), semi-lightweight, and GREAT battery life. of course the processor isn't BLAZING fast...but you gotta pick which you want

 

[jzdenton]

Most people seems to think that taking notes on a laptop will be dificult because you would have to tab your way back and so forth. However theese days MS has released a nifty little program called OneNote which I personally find very good when it comes to notes and drawings of graphs or whatever you may need. It also has handwriting recongition.

 

[judasmachine]

learn shorthand buddy.


seriously though they are damn handy, and for some classes nessecary.