[x SaRaNg HaE x]

Sorry if this is pretty early, but please help an incoming college freshmen [heading to Cal]!
My dad is thinking of buying me a laptop as a high school graduation gift. The thing is, my desktop is fairly new [it's only 1 year old] and now I'm wondering if I really need a laptop.
I was thinking about how ridiculous it would look if I brought both a desktop and laptop, and I don't want to waste my dad's money. I don't want to let one just sit on the desk collecting dust.

So my question is: which is better to bring to college, a desktop, a laptop, or maybe even both? Don't hesitate to list pros and cons!
If it's any help, I live in the Los Angeles area and will be attending school in North California.

Much input is appreciated; thanks in advance!!!

[pepprmint]

id say a laptop has a huuuuuge advantage over desktops in college. i didnt think i needed a laptop when i went to college either, until for some classes it was either make numerous trips to the computer lab, or just sit in class with my own laptop.
i still use my desktop, but only when i go home (like, once a week?) and i use it as a backup for my files.
so id say, leave your desktop at home (hey, maybe your dad can use it while your away ) and take the laptop with you. you'll fall in love with a laptop's portability

[aznboi1107]

Welcome to Nor Cal where everybody is cooler(it's a lot colder up here) lol. Laptop is better because:
1) You can connect wireless while chillin' at the library studying.
2) Bring it to class for notes or if the class is hella easy play games
3) If you're dorming which I recommend you do, the room will pretty small and a desktop will just fill up a ton of space while a laptop is small and easy to move.

[o_Oa]

I'm wondering the same myself since I do not want to fork in cash for a laptop, and also I am very comfortable with my desktop.

However, I don't want to carry this big thing to college though. ._.

[ANJEE<3]

well i have both.. and errr it depends

i agree though, if you're moving away from home.. best to buy a laptop insteading of moving your desktop.. i'd bring both if you had the choice

laptops are convient.. i don't have to wait in line to find a computer and i can use it where ever i want..

my laptop is way newer than my desktop.. laptop is 6months old and desktop is err.. 3 years old? i used to only use my laptop at school.. but now i use it at home too.. the only inconvient thing is that i don't get to use a mouse with it.. haha

i think it's newer and that's why i prefer the laptop.. my desktop turned into my storage.. although i still use it..

sometimes i have both on.. LOL again for convience sake
i was doing a research paper and was typing it on my laptop but had the articles all on my desktop so that i can see it easier

[SouthernBelle82]

I have a laptop and I love it so much better after having years of a desktop. Only thing is I also do gaming on my laptop so I have to make sure of space and all that. Heh heh. With your laptop if you want you can take it to class. I also used my laptop to take it to group meetings I had for a group last term in this class and it came in very handy where that is concerned because the school had wireless internet and now I can hook up using my phone. I also take my laptop with me on trips too so I can do stuff while I'm gone. If you do get a laptop make sure you get a carry bag!

[bonbons]

well u can always have both. the desktop is for your dorm when you go "I gotta get crackin on this paper and not leave this room"~ and your laptop is for notes in class, chillin with friends...etc XD

[jphase]

this was my first year at college and i just decided to bring my desktop with me.. it is nice but then there are times when i wish i had a laptop because of its portability.. When i have to work on a project/presentation with a friend, it would be much easier if i had a laptop..

I'm thinking of getting a laptop over the summer though because the computer at my house broke so my parents want a computer.

[sungaaah]

definitely get a laptop.
i hate doing work in my room because
i feel so confined in it

i love taking my laptop
to a study lounge and juss
doing hw in there without
other things distracting me
like food, tv, other roomies, etc ...

[PDURRR]

just get the laptop youu lol
i hate it when im class and ppl have their laptops U_U and frikkin iphones lol

its easier to take around too
your probably gonna haul alot of ass moving out when your first year is done anyways
you can leave the desktop for your siblings

[yoojini]

laptop ftw for all the reasons above. except i'm still used to taking notes on paper. haha.

i freaken love my laptop because of it's way convenient portability. it's like my shadow/bff now. i don't see why you'd need the desktop unless you were like one of my suitemates and wanted to print your own things, but why waste your own money when you can do that at school? long lines? well, that's why you shouldn't procrastinate. lol. plus, almost everybody i knew had a laptop instead of a desktop. it's what all the cool college kids are doing these days. just playing just playing.

[chickenwing]

i use to bring my own laptop (mac)..
n i can put my file as privately..

before i used desktop, n my bro always checking my file..

[ChunJin]

Sell your desktop or give it to a family member.

The laptop will be much more useful; as you will be moving around a lot and need to carry it with you most likely.

['Noche.]

well, it really depends on a few things. You are planning to live at the dorms, right? What kind of courses are you taking... notes intensive ones? Are you a fast note-taker? Are you easily distracted?

Since you're planning on living on residence, your desktop is only perhaps 5-10 minutes away, so it's no big deal really. If you're a slow note-taker you might want to use laptop in class, but I've seen lots of people start to play solitaire or go on facebook in the middle of lecture when they're bored. It's very distracting.

Do you have a computer at home? If you do, you don't need a laptop, just get a memory stick or something so you can take your work home with you when you visit.

Laptops are expensive, and you did mention that your desktop is fairly new. I don't really see the need for both. Maybe you can wait a year (or a couple of months), see how things go at school, and then get a laptop if you really need it.

[felinius]

I was thinking about how ridiculous it would look if I brought both a desktop and laptop, and I don't want to waste my dad's money. I don't want to let one just sit on the desk collecting dust.

A lot of people bring both if they have the chance. It's nice to have a laptop and all, but sometimes it's great to have a desktop, especially if you do gaming. If you have a higher end laptop though ... you don't really even need a desktop in the first place.
Anyways, you wouldn't be the only one doing it.

[deadgiveaway]

I recommend bringing just the laptop and leaving the desktop at home. Having a laptop is just more convenient since you could move it around or carry it somewhere. I even like being able to sit on my bed with my laptop. Also, as others have stated, you may find it handy to take with you to class, study sessions, or just when hanging out with friends. There should be computers in the computer labs and libraries, so it's not like you would be completely computerless (I made up that word) when you're away from your dorm room, but I still think it's better to have your own portable device. Leave the desktop at home so you could use it when you go back. I suggest bringing your laptop home with you as well, though, especially since I'm assuming that when you go back, it'd be for at least a few days at a time; if something were to happen, you wouldn't want to leave your laptop at risk of being stolen. ><

[songielove]

I say buy a laptop. You don't have to give up your desktop just yet .
I would most likely leave my desktop @ home for backing up files and for my family to use.
I love my laptop. It's like.. my life. I don't bring it to classes b/c i think it's too much of a hassle when i ride my bike.
But still, no biggy. Nowadays, wi-fi = woot woot. It's just more convenient. =)

[Kang1004]

LAPTOP

In college nowadays not to have a laptop is just as not to be efficient.

It's just so easier when its essay writing time (can't write at home), taking notes (although I still use a pen for that...good old way lol), and most of all...it's sooo portable. You need it, yu bring it.

If you don't get the laptop now it won't be long before you'll desire one so you better get one now haha

and personally I still use my desktop a lot, when im in my room, to use my desktop is more relaxing, bigger screen, more space.

[love]

a lot of people have both. i have a laptop and i don't even bring it to class. so i say a desktop is fine unless you think you'll be taking notes on your laptop often.

[fROSTY.MINt]

I think a laptop would be the better choice for college if you HAVE to decide on just one of the two. But it also depends on your own preference. If you work better with a desktop, then just keep the one you have. I've never owned a laptop, but I'm surviving just fine. I think having a laptop is actually more of a luxury than a necessity. You can manage without one, but there are times I wished I had one to take notes in class or to go online when I'm bored during lectures hehe. I guess you can say a laptop is the more convenient choice because it's obviously portable, but it's your choice in the end. Get both!