Latop or Desktop for college?

[job]

Should I get a laptop or a desktop for college?

I'm leaving for college next year, but I wanted to hear what everyone thinks.

I'm honstly considering a desktop over a laptop, simply because the desktop has more raw speed and the option to upgrade in the future.

[TheFallGuy]

If you feel like you want to be cool and take your computer to all of your classes then get a laptop. If you think you will have more power with a desktop, then get one of those.

I use my laptop for everything. I lug it around and it allows me to use it while I wait for some of my professors (late for their appointments, etc). Do you really think you will be taking your computer with you everywhere you go? (This is something you'll have to consider)

Personally, I went with the laptop for portability and I absolutely love it. (Course now I have to worry about theft and dropping it and damaging it, etc.)

[krimson]

im going back to finish school next year, ill probably get a PB or an iBook, depending on my financial situation..

it's a good habit to type out your notes in class, if your professor allows it.. and now that more and more colleges allow you to use the power sockets, it makes it so much easier.

You might want to take into account your major as well...

[GroundLoop]

If I were you, I would definitely get a laptop, especially if you think you will be doing a lot of group work. I had a desktop in undergrad and a laptop in grad school. The laptop definitely made life a whole lot easier.

Hickman

[advres]

I had a deskop for the first two years of college. The last two I got a powerbook. I wished I went with it right from the getgo. I don't know what kind of student discount Apple gives if you are in high school but I always got great deals education discounts because of college. I dunno, look into it.

i use my powerbook for everything. Only thing I wish I had a desktop for was rendering effects. Im too broke to afford more RAM.

[cr2sh]

In a year.. wow, thats a long time. We'll have a g5 powerbook by then.. (crosses fingers). Honestly it has a lot to do with how much youre willing to spend..

I never found a laptop to be that useful in college.. a great idea, but christ my dorm wasn't that far away. If you're commuting.. yeh, get a laptop. If not, wait for the dual 3GHz g5!

[Elenita]

Your study abroad plans may affect this decision.

If you think you might spend time abroad (or if you know you will), it may be better to get a laptop so you can take it with you. The same logic applies if you think you'll be doing summer internships away from home.

But, if you do get a laptop, don't forget to get a security lock too. Hopefully, you won't need it, but you can never be too safe with your investment.

Good luck with applications and everything!

[job]

Thanks for all the comments! How did the Powerbooks help in college? Did you guys take them to class to take notes, etc? I'm actually considering a tower, but I'd still like to hear from people who use and used Powerbooks in college.

Originally posted by cr2sh
In a year.. wow, thats a long time. We'll have a g5 powerbook by then.. (crosses fingers). Honestly it has a lot to do with how much youre willing to spend..

Yeah...it's still a ways off, but I'm saving now, just in case. ;) My budget will max out at around $3500 give or take. I've priced out a very nice dual 1.8G5 tower at around that amount, so I'm hoping Apple's educational prices stay the same. I'm also planning on keeping this computer for as long as I can, so it's going to have to last me 5+ years which makes me favor a desktop more.

I never found a laptop to be that useful in college.. a great idea, but christ my dorm wasn't that far away. If you're commuting.. yeh, get a laptop. If not, wait for the dual 3GHz g5!

That's been my attitude ever since the G5s were released. While it might be nice to be able to take your computer wherever you go, I don't think I'll need to. I'm thinking about majoring in Economics or International Studies, depending on where I go. Honestly, theft also plays a little bit in my decision. A laptop seems very easy to steal, unless you have a security cable.

[job]

Originally posted by Elenita
Your study abroad plans may affect this decision.

That is a very good point. I never even thought of that. I am considering studying abroad, especially if I decide to major in International Studies (at the University of Chicago for example.)

Thanks for bringing that up. :)

[gwuMACaddict]

get a nice desktop and buy and old pismo to lug around to classes. your desktop will have far better performance in your room, where you most likely want it. and an old pb is perfect for word-processing and checking email- all you would really need it for. i have an old imac in my dorm room and i carry an old pismo around with me when i need it. both running panther. its a perfect world. :D

[rjstanford]

Originally posted by job
Yeah...it's still a ways off, but I'm saving now, just in case. ;) My budget will max out at around $3500 give or take. I've priced out a very nice dual 1.8G5 tower at around that amount, so I'm hoping Apple's educational prices stay the same. I'm also planning on keeping this computer for as long as I can, so it's going to have to last me 5+ years which makes me favor a desktop more.Unless you're realistically going to be doing a lot of rendering, etc - I'd save the money, get a loaded 12" iBook (1GB of memory bought from non-Apple sources and the 60gb 7200rpm hard drive will both make for HUGE performance gains - ebay the original HD) for $1,750 or so. Then in 2 more years, buy a really great notebook that's close to as fast as that dual 1.8 you're looking at with the remaining $1,750.

-Richard

[Elenita]

Originally posted by job
I am considering studying abroad, especially if I decide to major in International Studies (at the University of Chicago for example.)

Thanks for bringing that up. :)

You're welcome :) I'm an international affairs major with a Powerbook (and taking lots of econ classes, to boot) so I'm glad to be of help.

As for how the Powerbooks helped... if you're the sort to get easily distracted in a dorm room (and I'm not saying that you are or anything), it's nice to able to take a laptop to the library with you. It's true that most universities have adequate computer access in the libraries now (thank god!), but it's not the same as having your own computer with you, you know?

Also... a lot of my econ/poli sci professors now post their lectures online beforehand. It's nice to be able to download the file, and edit the professor's notes while they're lecturing to reflect your needs and learning style.

Laptops are also useful during brainstorm sessions or group projects (e.g., policy papers, Powerpoint or Keynote presentations, etc.).

Hope this is helpful.

[Kwyjibo]

So far I haven't seen many, if any people at my univ with laptops during lectures. I goto a large school 37k .... i don't even know what the policies are for that but i don't ask either. That being said i got the 12" powerbook for college. I'm currently a freshman, I like having the laptop because i secretly hooked up wifi in my dorm, nice for the convienence doesn't go very far but I like it for lounging on the bed or showing people something in another room.

i don't think i'll ever have the posture to take it to class, my orientation leader stressed that notebooks are for notes .... meaning paper notebooks and i think i'll cling to that plus it just doesn't seem natural for me to do many things right on the notebook like math notes ...

also realize that if you study abroad internet access may be limited. Most people i know who study aborad for less than a full year are rarely online fyi

[ethernet76]

I got the powerbook this fall. This is my third year in college and I was chained to my desk with my desktop.

Sometimes it's hard to use your computer under certain conditions (roommate has friends over, extremely late at night). There are others, but it's really different for each situation.

Most importantly though you have to look at what you're going to be using the computer for. Are you really ever going to max out the CPU? Unless you're doing advance graphics design work using CAD i think you'll find that you'd be better off saving your money and getting a mid-level laptop.

You also have to consider what the department recommends. Which might be a PC instead of a mac. Check for wireless availablity on campus, or plans to develop a wirless network in the near future.

Also, are you a gamer? What do you really want to do with your computer? What do you see yourself doing most with it?

These are all questions you need to seriously consider before making your purchase. I'm all for Macs, but if halfway through the program they require you to buy a PC laptop you'll be screwing yourself into a corner by getting a mac.

I got a powerbook because it did what I do best, Journalism.

[Elenita]

Originally posted by Kwyjibo
also realize that if you study abroad internet access may be limited. Most people i know who study aborad for less than a full year are rarely online fyi

True. But at the same time, it's not just about internet use. Being able to have your own computer to save papers, photos, the MP3s of the new local band you fall in love with, etc. is a huge asset. You can't really do that when you're using the computer labs of your host university all the time. Theoretically, I suppose you could burn all that stuff to CD's, but that's assuming two things: that your host university has CD burners, and you don't mind the inconvenience of carrying your digital camera and/or CD's with you when you go to the library.

[Gymnut]

If I could do college again I'd have purchased a laptop. The dorm I was in had only two elevators to service 12 floors or approximately 200 people. The nightmare of moving in and out was horrific with my B&W G3 with the matching monitor. Certainly a desktop is much more future proof and the debate between the two rests solely on your needs and what comprimises you are willing to make. A lot of campuses have moved to Wi-Fi so staying connected to the internet will never be a problem when moving about campus. The only qualm that I had with portables were their battery lives and their high prone to being thiefed by unscrupulous individuals. Despite knowing everyone living around you, you never really know do you?

[Phatpat]

I got a powerbook, my friend got a g5. You can go either way and be happy. I personally like the ability to take my computer places out of the dorm to get work done. 1.25ghz has been plenty of power for me up to this point, and I use the powerbook for plenty of games in addition to matlab, web design, and the typical internet and music stuff.

[bastardx]

I actually have both, although that is because I worked an insane amount during the summer. I would say if you want mobility at all, get the laptop, you will be thanking yourself later for it. I got a Rev A 12" Pbook, and it is the more handy of the two computers when Computer Science deadlines are approaching and I need help with the current project. I can just bring the computer to office hours and show them right there what happens, and get some help with debugging and such. It saved my life on several occasions last year, although I also love the power of my 1.8 ghz G5, especially when I do multiple things at once, it runs so much smoother than my pbook, in spite of having less memory(512 vs 640). Although if you get a laptop and a lock for it, make sure that the end is rubberized, because otherwise you could damage the surface of the laptop, and that just doesn't look very nice.

[niter]

For my undergrad ed. I used a desktop, and I do not regret it one bit. I did not get a laptop until graduate school. Laptops are great, but I think it is important to have that "home base" waiting for you at home. It lets you get a cheaper laptop.

[job]

Originally posted by gwuMACaddict
get a nice desktop and buy and old pismo to lug around to classes...its a perfect world.

Funny you should mention that. I actually am using an old original G3 laptop (233Mhz, 96MB RAM) as my primary machine for school and the college applications. I also had an old iMac DV but that's become my mother's work computer. I am considering taking the laptop to college as my mobile word processor, since MS Office 2001 runs perfectly on it.

Originally posted by rjstanford
Unless you're realistically going to be doing a lot of rendering, etc - I'd save the money, get a loaded 12" iBook...Then in 2 more years, buy a really great notebook that's close to as fast as that dual 1.8 you're looking at with the remaining $1,750.

-Richard

I really want this purchase to last me 4~5 years like my iMac has. That's the main reason my budget is so high and why I'm willing to splurge. I won't actually be buying until next August or thereabouts, i.e. right before I go to college, so we'll see what Apple has to offer.

Originally posted by ethernet76
Most importantly though you have to look at what you're going to be using the computer for. Are you really ever going to max out the CPU?

Probably not, but I am expecting the purchase to last me a few years, so while current programs may not max out a G5, programs in the future might. Also consider I'm planning on buying next year, so there might be a chance for dual 3Ghz towers. Who knows. :)

Also, are you a gamer? What do you really want to do with your computer? What do you see yourself doing most with it?

Thankfully, all of the colleges I'm applying to support both Mac and PCs, so I'm safe there. While I enjoy the occasional round of Ghost Recon or Warcraft, I haven't had the hardware in years to play anything which might also influence my decision.

Originally posted by bastardx
I actually have both, although that is because I worked an insane amount during the summer.

That's my plan too. I've got two summer jobs lined up already and I plan on working as much as I can. Thankfully, both jobs will allow me to hang out with my friends as well, so I won't miss out on having some fun (lifeguard and swim instructor.)

[Kingsnapped]

I am in the same position. I'm going to college next year for broadcasting, so that means a lot of work with FCE. I'm ordering my 15 inch albook within a week. I was planning on an iMac, but after seeing the size of the dorm, and the idea of WiFi, I decided on the Albook. I'm planning on brining an Airport to the dorms, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Between that and the provided WiFi scattered through the campus, I'm looking foreward to taking my studies away from the closet I'll be calling my home.

[sjcaguy]

I'm a college senior right now. Trust me, get a laptop.

No one has mentioned this part in-depth (someone said something above about moving into the building), but think about the fact that as a college student, you're essentially moving several times a year.

You move when you go to start the year.

You'll probably go home for winter break, which is roughly a month long at most colleges. You can't stay in the dorms during those breaks, so then you're without your computer or you're stucking shipping it home or trusting the airlines to check it.

You'll probably go home or go somewhere for internships/work during the summers, which means you'll take all your stuff with you or put it in storage. Do you really want to lug a desktop home with you for the summer and then bring it back?

Life in college is much more nomadic and mobile than you may think. You basically never live in the same place for All the arguments about studying are good, but in some way you have to consider the transience of your lifestyle during college.

(of course, these are all meaningless points if you're going to move off-campus, get a house with friends and stay there during all your breaks)

Think about how often you'll be going home and how long those visits will be.

[filmmaker2002]

I bought my Powerbook my senior year of high school and have been using a Powerbook since. I have a desktop as well, but ever since I got the new 1.25 Ghz 15", I barely ever use the tower. I'm in my second year of college, and my Powerbook goes EVERYWHERE with me. use it at work, to take notes in class, to show clients progress on their video projects, I can grab it at a moments notice and ALL my stuff comes with me. GET THE POWERBOOK for pete's sake. They are just as fast as desktops for taking notes, surfing the web, and even playing some games (Radeon 9600 ROCKS!) AND it's portable...I don't think there is ANY question whatsoever. TRUST ME!!!!

[Toeknee]

RIGHT ON FILMMAKER! I absolutely love my powerbook as well, it goes everywhere I go. Yeah go ahead and get the laptop they are super light (not so much the 17" but what do u expect? :) ), and the battery life on them are pretty good if you know how to conserve the battery well. Not only are power sockets readily available at my College but they have ethernet jacks all over campus that I can just plug in to the net anytime I want. Not to mention the looks that you get when you take your computer out and everyone is like "whoa thats one sleek computer!" or "i've never seen anything like that before!"

[thehuncamunca]

i ended up getting a desktop 2 yrs ago and regret it now
when you only have the one desk it really hogs up the space
you can't take it to the library or other places to work on projects with friends and you have very little desk space to work on since the mointor speakers keyboard mouse etc take up most of the desk

[ethernet76]

You also have to realize that most college desks aren't big enough for desktops. Mine isn't, having a laptop helps this.

From what I've heard in your situation you'd benefit from a laptop provided that the G5 makes it into the laptop before you go to school.

[sahnert]

Freshman this year and love my 12" PB. Wouldn't have it any other way. I actually have room for OTHER THINGS on my desk besides my computer. Not so with most others in my residence hall. And it is so nice to be able to take it down to the lounge if my roommate is sleeping or I just want a change of scenery. Also great to take to the library.
Someone said it already I think, but unless you really are going to use all of the raw power of the G5 doing hardcore rendering etc., the PB will have you covered. And especially as a freshman you probably WON'T get to do all the cool computer stuff in whatever major you are chosing because you will be busy with gen ed requirements.
Get a PowerBook

[stoid]

I bought a new PowerBook 15 inch Aluminum when they first can out. Mine has developed those adorable little white spots, so I'll have to take it in for repairs over Christmas break, but I take it everywhere. It's powerful, reliable, and I absolutely love the portability. If you think that you'll never be taking the computer out of the room then get a desktop. I am flying home and over to Taiwan, and I know that having my computer available along the way will be a great way to occupy the 20 hour flight as well as get my work done.

I vote laptop. I didn't even realize how much I'd use it until I actually started to.

[hulugu]

I've used a laptop throughout college—now on a masters—and its been really useful for a few reasons:

1. Portability, you can go to the library, the coffee shop, a friend's dorm room, class, the mall, the union, etc. This gives you some flexibility if say your printer dies, your local internet connection dies, your roomate has decided to take up guitar and can't get through the first five bars of 'Blackbird' without screwing up, etc. (Thanks Chris!)
And now with wireless you can go without cables.

2. Space-savings, dorms are tiny, the desks miniscule and quite simply a desktop and tower use a lot of space.

3. Performance, Apple's laptops are very powerful for most things. Futhermore, I'm not sure what your major is, but I can't imagine anyone but an architecture student, graphics design pro, etc. using the power of a G5.

I have my PB and it works rediculously well for me, being able to take notes in class, access my mail, complete research using wireless points, etc. It's awesome.

[Kingsnapped]

How did (do) you guys take notes in college with the portable? Do you just open MS word, or use a note program?

[filmmaker2002]

I use MS Word unfortunately. Actually, it is really good for taking notes in class. It outlines and is actually pretty intuitive.

[job]

So it didn't seem out of place to open up your Powerbook in class and start plugging away?

[job]

Originally posted by ethernet76
From what I've heard in your situation you'd benefit from a laptop provided that the G5 makes it into the laptop before you go to school.

G5+Powerbook=bliss.

But like a lot of people are saying, I really won't need a G5 for what I'll be doing.

However, I do want whatever it is I buy to last a while. That's my main issue with Powerbooks: relative lack of upgrades.

I guess I could always use some of my money for a Powerbook next year and save the difference for a tower later on.

[hulugu]

...like a superfreak, so I just used Word until a journal program called MacJournal appeared, now I use it also:

Macjournal (http://homepage.mac.com/dschimpf/)

And no, I just sit down, whip it out and start banging away. In some classes, I will keep it in my lap so people can see my face during discussions and I put it away when things warrent it.

Futhermore, while laptops do offer a limit to their upgradibility, things like memory and drives can be done, plus the Powerbooks often enough connectivity: Firewire, USB 2.0, BT, PCI cards, to expand its capability. Granted you're not going to be able to change out the video card, install extra drives, but I like I said before, most undergrads could get away with a glorified typewriter; a high-end desktop is often overkill.

(Edited for poor spelling, bad grammar, and ignoring the content of other posts.)

[job]

Originally posted by sjcaguy
Life in college is much more nomadic and mobile than you may think. You basically never live in the same place for All the arguments about studying are good, but in some way you have to consider the transience of your lifestyle during college.

Thanks for bringing that up. The fact that I will be moving around a lot never really occured to me, much like the possibility of taking a computer with me if I study abroad.

I'm obviously a complete n00b when it comes to college life, which is why I started this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49346).

Any other comments, in this thread or the other would be greatly appreciated. :)

[hulugu]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by job
[B]Thanks for bringing that up. The fact that I will be moving around a lot never really occured to me, much like the possibility of taking a computer with me if I study abroad.

I had forgotten about that, when I lived in the dorms we had to move out almost all of our stuff during the Winter break, then we completely vacated our rooms during the summer, and when we returned the next semester we move to a different room. Add that to going home to see my parents a few times, and a desktop would have been an extra burden. If you decide to do a semester at sea, or abroad a laptop will be much easier to deal with.
The good thing is, you have time; I would wait until you're actually at school, then you can buy your new computer at the college store at the educational discount and get exactly what you need. By August of 2004 ('05?) Apple may have released a tablet or some other device or update to make this whole discussion moot.
Great tactic to start saving now.

[pinto32]

I started college with a desktop only. At the end of September I ordered an old IBM laptop off of eBay. (iBook is on the way)

College is a time when you experiance an entirely new level of freedom that you could have never even considered possible in high school. Beleive me, you will want a laptop. There have been so many times when I have spent entire days at the library, or at a friends apartment, etc. that I have been so glad to have a laptop. The fact that you can have your computer with you, ready whenever you need it becomes more than just a cool thought, it becomes an integral part of your live that you literally can't function (socially or acedemically) without. I know this sounds like an overstatment, but I know there are plenty of people out there who know exactly what I mean.

Computer labs....they are a joke....if you need to use a computer while you are in the "acedemic" area of the campus, your better off walking home than waiting in line.... This is not a problem if you have a laptop, especially now that most schools are at least partially wireless (my school has the library, SUB, and about half of the acedemic buildings set up...more on the way)
Heck, even if you never take your laptop out of your room, its so nice to be able to relax in bed while surfing/chatting. I am so in love with wireless that I am getting a 802.11 base for my dorm room!

As for your concerns over the abilities of the hardware in laptops....the sacrifices you have to make for portability are not as bad as they used to be....if you want to see for yourself, just stop by an Apple Store or Comp USA and try out the iBooks and PB's...you'll be impressed how much something an inch thick can do! :) Just for an example, my roomate is a Communication Design major (anything and everything graphical), and he is getting a 15" PB...like basically everyone else in the major....(2nd largest CD program in the country).

Personally, if I were you, I'd wait for a little bit....the G5 Power Books should be out by summer, and are sure to give mroe than enough power to put your future-proofing fears to rest. :D

[coolsoldier]

If you don't need the power go with the laptop. Although I cheaped out and got an iBook instead of a PowerBook, I've never regretted the lower power -- my iBook does everything I've needed it to do faster than I can think about it, and the smaller size means that it will fit on a classroom desk (that is a concern if you'll be using it in class). Typing notes can be a hassle in class (compared to using paper) but makes it A LOT easier to go back and study later (although not as often as I probably should). Sometimes I'll record lectures on my iBook also with a program like SimpleSound for OS 9 (am I proving I've been at this for too long??) or Audio In for OS X.

I used to type my notes in ZWrite, but now that ZWrite is so ridiculously out of date, I'm stuck with MS word until I can afford to pay for ideaSpiral.

[joker2]

You may not be able to find an "old pismo" easily, but I've recently tried out a new iBook's keyboard and it is now very similar to the PowerBook's. $800 EDU for an iBook to take with you, and so you get the second of the line desktop... if you really need it.

(I got a 12" PB anyway, and it has been wonderful for the less-than-a-month I've had it, as I've gone back to school...).

Before, I was using a secondhand PB1400 and a secondhand PB520 before that (all after my second year of college). It made so much difference to have a laptop. I personally have trouble writing legibly quickly, and can type at least four times as fast. Having the laptop has allowed me to keep up with the instructor as they're writing on the board instead of being two boards behind. I used BBEdit Lite for most of my notes (easy to save as .txt files for people who took the time to e-mail me if they missed part of class). For stuff that required graphs or wierd notes, I used apple/clarisworks drawing program with the pencil tool or had a piece of paper with me. In the notes, I would put in brackets [see drawing A] and label my scribbles accordingly. If I wanted to after class, I copied the text into Word and inserted the graphics in the appropriate spot, and that made for a good review. I didn't end up doing that very often.

When I first started college, I took with me my brand new powermac 6100. I ended up using the computer labs a lot more than my desktop machine as we didn't have ethernet (so I'd be tying up the phone, or unable to get on due to roommate gabbing) or couldn't work in the room because I was too distracted by roomie's laughing at the TV and such. I would have loved to have taken the pb to the lounge rather than having had to go "fight for a computer" at the labs. Granted, the desktop served well once I got out of the dorms and into my own place.

[job]

So would the size of the 17" Powerbook be too large?

It seems that most people have opted for the smaller 12/14" Powerbooks/iBooks instead of the 15/17" Powerbooks. Any reasons why?

[joker2]

You'd have to see what types of lecture halls you will be subject to (all of them.) 99% of college students are subjected to large classes in lecture halls because they are core-requirement classes that everyone has to take at some point.

Some will have the "two chairs to a table" setup, where a larger notebook would be fine, but a lot of others have theatre style seating with a swing up-and-across half-desk type of thing.

Not only are you crammed into the too-closely-spaced chairs with 200 of your closest classmates, but the writing surface is small, and might not be big enough to balance the 17" on without jabbing your neighbor. (forget about propping one leg up on the other... your foot will either jab your neighbor or your leg will go to sleep :) )

Other classes may have the classic blue/colored plastic chair with either a fixed writing surface or a fold-up one like in the "theatre style" seating, and both bring up the same issues.

[iPegboy]

the first two years, i had a desktop, the second two, i had an iBook.

The iBook was 1000x better. I was able to take it to the library, basement, where-ever.

and vacations, like thanksgiving or semester break was so much easier. For thanksgiving, i often had to work on papers, so taking the iBook home was quick and easy. and i couldn't live without my computer for a month over a break, so i would bring my desktop home, which is of course, sucky.

iBook or powerbook. whatever you choose, go lap top.

[revenuee]

I've had my powermac for 4 years and i'm thinking of upgrading and being in college i want a laptop for notes, and portability...

but the one thing i'm worried about is my addiction to Mac-rumors Forums, and MSN ... at least with a desktop i don't take it with me and if i leave my house to study ... i can unplug, i don't know if i could do the same with a laptop (psychologically speaking off-course).

But it would be nice to write my papers outside

[cbonz]

Your main concern, as is mine, is the life span of your computer. Towers notably have a much greater life span than that of a notebook. I have yet to buy my G5 (waiting till next year) but have had absolutely no problems having a desktop. I rarely have seen people in lecture halls with laptops anyways. Get a desktop with a nice monitor... it'll last you much longer, and be much more comfortable to use in your dorm room. If you put the tower on the floor, and have an LCD monitor...this computer is actually taking up less space than a laptop. There's little need to be moving your computer as much as other people say it is. If you're planning on living at college and going home at most once a month, you'll be fine. It's not necessary to lug the computer home each time. Only winter and summer, and just keep your old PB at home for emails, etc. To counter the travel abroad statements, if that comes up, you can adjust accordingly. It's always easy to buy a cheap laptop off of eBay for your word processing and email, etc.

Get the desktop, you won't regret it!

[joker2]

Your G3 laptop will probably hold you through the first (say,) semester of classes, and during that time, you can evaluate what your needs are during that time.

(It also allows more time for the G5 to get into the powerbooks, and maybe if they're intro'd in June, then rev B in January? Note: any dates are pure speculation.)

You'll have the money sitting in savings, so if in the first week you decide you definitely need a smaller laptop, you can visit your campus store and get it... I'd wait a few days before getting the bigger ones though... the smaller ones will be about the size of one of your textbooks and you can "toss" it in your backpack (encased in a sleeve). The bigger ones, especially the 17", will be a little harder to do that with, and you'd likely want/need to get a separate laptop bag-- neon signal! "I'm an expensive laptop!" ...(and it's one more thing to carry... ugh)

You will probably find that your current laptop will be fine for taking notes (keep a notepad and pen/pencil with you just in case, always...) and you may want to have the desktop/tower at "home sweet dorm" ... put it under the desk and have the LCD screen as others suggested, and you'll have room on your desk to fill out worksheets, lab reports that must be done on graph paper, and the like.

[Elenita]

I imagine that lots of people prefer the 12" size because it's just so compact--computers of that size are generally light, very easy to take with you, and have a tiny footprint on a desk. A friend of mine recently got a 12" Powerbook after some deliberation because she's always on the go and generally has long days; she felt that even small differences in weight and size would add up over time. And because she generally concentrates on one thing at a time (I haven't seen her open more than three applications at the same time, ever), the loss in screen resolution isn't a big deal for her.

OTOH, I have a 15" Aluminum Powerbook (waited several months for it, in fact) because I felt that the difference in weight weren't big enough to be a big deal, and preferred the larger screen and higher resolution. I typically have lots of windows open, many with palettes, and wanted the widescreen configuration. I also find it easier when doing massive rewrites of papers because I can pretty much have two Word windows open side by side. That's just how I work.

As for the 17", others may disagree, but I feel like it's too big to be used as a true portable; I haven't really played with one for a decent amount of time, but I don't think it's easily moved off a desk. That may be okay with you, and if so, you might consider getting one. But if you're thinking of taking it to lectures or around campus with you, it may be too big to be comfortable.

At the risk of repeating myself and others, it's about how you work. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and you might want to head to an Apple Store if you haven't already done so to see how big (or small) everything is.

[hulugu]

The problems with the 17" are its size (inherent in such a screen size, but nonetheless) its weight, almost 7 pounds, and its shorter battery life. The 12" is a great computer, but offers a smaller screen and cannot have as much memory as the 15" PB. The 14" iBook, I believe is not as good as the 12" iBook because its offers a larger and heavier computer without the extra screen realestate you get with the 15" PB.
Right now, I think the 15" PB offers the best of all things. If you desperately need more screen, buy a flat panel and hook it up when you need it.

[jade]

LAptop:

never discount the annoying roommate factor. It is hard to study if your roommate is sleeping, one the phone, using her webcam to chat and so on.

With a laptop you will be able to go to the library, cafe, grass, patio, airplane, train station, subway.....

And do you really want a big g5 tower underneath your super cramped dorm room desk. The g5 is pretty big.

In the past laptops did not offer much power...but these days everything you can get in a desktop is in a laptop (well almost)

But if you have one of those roommates who never left the room like I did you will be glad for the laptop.

[supertex]

I'm currently in my Junior year, and like you plan to do, I waited until just before I left for school to buy myself a Mac. I bought a 500 mhz iBook with 640MB of RAM, a combo drive, an AirPort card and an AirPort Base Station. this would've been like Aug. 2001. At the time, this thing was one of the best iBooks available.
I was a little worried about its longevity, but I still use it for everything, including some light photoshop work. The only additional purchases I've made are a 40GB Firewire drive and a refurbished 5GB iPod. I've kept the OS up to date, and with Panther's speed increase, I don't see myself buying another machine until after graduation. This laptop still turns heads, and has helped me make many a Mac convert while sitting in the Student Union on the WiFi there. Plus, my Airport base station is what my roommates and I (my iBook plus a Win2000 machine and two XP Dells; all desktops) use for the networking in our house. I've had 0 problems and can't imagine how bad college would suck if I couldn't pick up and go to the coffee shop or the union or anywhere I wanted to and still be productive. My iBook is indispensable, and I imagine you will find a portable to be the same.

Oh yeah, and in three years when your purchase is aging, you'll love watching your friends sit behind their six month old Inspirons and offer to trade you computers. ;)

[KBFinFan]

Ahh.. I remember this debate very well before I went off to school.

I chose desktop and thought it was the right decision at the time. It was cheaper, faster, and since I really didn't move around much with my computer it was great. It was also a PC. My desk was a little cramped with a big 17" CRT on it (I thought getting a 19" would be way too big).

Junior came around and so did 'switching,' and I couldn't be happier with my laptop. It does save a lot of room on the desk which is good, but at the same time you really never have a 'set-up' that you do with a big monitor and such.

If you plan on doing a lot of homework away from the room, then yes a laptop is great. Also, your major plays a big difference. If you are going to do intense video editing, then maybe a desktop is great. Finally, does your school have WiFi? If so then a laptop would be awesome.

All in all I just restated the obvious, but in the end it's up to you in your needs. Either way I am sure it will be great! Have a fun and safe time in college.

[kwajo.com]

i think it is time for me to speak up as a student with a 17" powerbook. Now to be honest, there are times when I wish I had a tiny little 12", but i think more often than not, I am amazed by the 17" and its abilities. to be fair, I had a desktop as a freshman, and decided to go laptop this year because I thought it would make travel to and from university and home much easier, and it does. but it being my first portable since an old 286 that weighed over 15 lbs, I think it is tiny. I will agree the 15" seems like a great compromise, and you've got to make special accommodation for a bag that can hold a 17" and not look suspicious or ridiculous. I found one that is nice at a local store, and I don't mind carrying the system around all day, at least in terms of size and weight annoyances. What I do mind is the super protective feeling I have when it is with me. I would take down a bear to protect the thing from scratches or dust, and I walk a bit more tenderly with it on my shoulder.

as for in lecture, it depends on the hall/classroom. if you have desks or tables, it is no trouble. ditto for lecture theaters with those little desks that fold to the side. the only trouble is with rooms that have chairs with fixed side desks, that don't move (and a lot of them are slanted) there is no way to use my powerbook with those things, but I would guess you can't use any of the other sizes either.


on the whole, I wonder sometimes if I should have gotten a G5 and an old ibook, but 90% of the time I could not be happier. good luck with your decision!

[McCord9]

I thought rjstanford had a great idea, buy a loaded ibook now ( i just ordered one) and save,(invest), the rest of the money now and wait a couple years to get a nicer powerbook. I have an old iMac thats nearing 4 years old and have just ordered a new iBook maxed out, i figure by the time that becomes too slow (my imac still kicks butt g3 400mhz) ill have a job, and can get a sweet pb.

[ethernet76]

What's the point? Is he really going to use all that power? It's utterly wasteful to buy something to "hold you over."

Plan like a college student. As great as computers are you won't spend that much time on it unless it's for school or you're chatting online. [sarcasm]Both highly intensive uses [/end sarc].

Save the money, get something with a G4. Get an xBox, get Madden 2005 or whatever.

Fact, I play more xBox than I'm on the computer. Fact, college living even if on campus is really expensive, save the money and get drunk or go out with friends(Yes this is a blatent support for underage drinking).

My freshman year – two years ago – I spent 800 of my own money on living even though I was living on campus. If you still want to a)buy stuff like CDs and DVDs b)eat off campus at least once a week c)have money for food, snacks and pop inside your dorm, then don't spend everything on a computer.

Sure you may have the coolest computer in the entire dorm, but It'll be so fun when you can''t go out because you've got that job to pay for all the other stuff that isn't covered in the bill the Univ. sends you.

[iChan]

if you are in college, just get a laptop because you will likely be going home and stuff during the year a lot... you'll have something to use while travelling...