Laptops - accessory or neccessity

Schoolteacher

Do most, or all students bring laptops into lectures with them?

My daughter who is a first year Arts student told me last night that EVERYONE that attends lectures in UCC has a laptop with them!!

Is this a possibility? And why? Would a pen and paper not be easier for taking notes? Is the sound of hundreds of keyboards being tapped at the same time a normal sound in a lecture hall nowadays?? Must drive the lecturer mad?!

I don't want my daughter to be the odd one out. Neither do I want to be manipulated by her!

There are computers in college. She also has one in her room, which she tells me is not working. Is there anyone in UCC she can contact to fix her computer?

ReacherCreature

I was in 1st Arts last year and through three subjects (the other was classroom based) I didn't see many laptops to be honest.

They were History, English Greek/Roman Civilisation. The former two would have over 300 students and not everyone had laptops, a few did. Don't be meaning to rain on your daughters parade!

Maybe I'm wrong but that's what I seen.

I prefer the 'aul pen and paper meself.

invincibleirish

laptops are not essential for college but really rather handy. In lectures typing out notes for me is a lot quicker then writing.

Outside of lectures they can also be handy if you plan on being in the library alot and wish to make use of the library website without having to leave where you are working. Equally your daughter wont have to queue for internet access in the Boole at peak times like in the morning.

However first arts means that the workload isnt huge, particularly this early in the year. Maybe you can buy your daughter one for Xmas?

insinkerator

Laptops arent essential for college, but having a computer in my opinion is essential. If her desktop was working in her room, i would suggest getting her a decent sized USB stick so she can transfer work from her home PC and the college computers in UCC.

However seeing as her desktop id broker, i would suggest buying a laptop as a replacement for the desktop, that way she can take it with her to college, and as invincibleirish said she can avoid the queues in the booles and avial of computer access in the library much easier, whic is a much more study friendly enviroment than the boole, which has an infernal tapping(from the keyboards) and at times can be quite cold.

As for someone in UCC that will fix the computer, it depends what is wrong with it. There is a technology society thingy, but that is geared more towards gamers. That said, i did join on the basis that one of the lads at the sign up offered to fix my iBook, so there may be some capable people in there. I reckon they would be able to fix it if it was a software thing like a virus or something, but if it is hardware, while they might have a bash off it, they are only students and at times it is best to let a qualified professional to take a look at it..

Alan Smith

Well, usually you would see maybe 3 or 4 in a lecture of about 300 people.

So she is just manipulating you to be honest.

I've a laptop, I need it because I work for a couple of newspapers and websites outside of college, and I rarely take it to college with me and never open it up in a lecture as personally I think it's for show-offs to enchance their ego- "I've a laptop and you don't you paesants."


MOTWYW

stylie

For a first year Arts student its not too essential. Most people using laptops around the campus are doing IT orientated courses, most other people with laptops around campus are doing youtube orientated courses.
There are a lot of people doing computer science that could easily fix her computer, she can try the mailing list, conversly there are a lot of guys here that could offer sound advice if you tell them the trouble with it.

Orizio

I'm sure a laptop would be useful, but clearly she is lying to you. Its rare for more then a handful to have laptops in Arts, even in the huge first year classes.

Now I hope you punish her for her lack of respect...:p

Jayeire

First off, I would like to commend you on going behind your daughter's back and snooping for other peoples opinions on her wishes...NOT
I sincerely hope that she finds your thread!
Now back to the point in hand. How is her computer just "not working", surely she may have explained how it is broken/in what way. "not working" is very general terminology.
If it is indeed broken, surely she could contact a technician in the yellow pages, after all; a private home PC is not UCC's liability.
Surely you could splash out on your daughter's happiness, even if it is only frivolity. There are a number of "affordable" laptops available also, some available from UCC. Even if they may scar your daughter for life:eek:

ow2h7nft1me9i4

I agree with Jayeire.What are you doing going behind your daughters back like that. How old are you, 16?? Because that is how old you are acting.

Just buy your daughter the fuking laptop and keep her happy.Hardley anybody at college is bothered with desktops unless they actually have a special need for one. She is only going to be going to college once in her life and you want her experience of it to be as great as possible and how she imagines it to be.

Thoie

OP, you sound like a sensible person, and as such, are probably ignoring the two posts above anyway. If your daughter thinks her life is going to be ruined, and that the whole college experience will only be great if she has a laptop, then you may need to discuss with her whether she's mature enough to be at university in the first place. If you decide that she really needs a laptop, may I suggest the eee pc 701 - very cheap, and has word processing functionality as well as wireless access which will suffice for her college connectivity needs (submitting essays, checking library catalogue etc.).

Pride Fighter

Arts = read books, take notes, create ideas in your head.
One does not need a laptop in lecture halls. Outside lectures PC/laptop is essential to type essays. OP you should get her a laptop anyway but it is not a revolutionary tool that will get her an A, reading books will do that.

Jayeire

Thoie wrote: »

If you decide that she really needs a laptop, may I suggest the eee pc 701 - very cheap, and has word processing functionality as well as wireless access which will suffice for her college connectivity needs (submitting essays, checking library catalogue etc.).

Case in point; if you buy her the Asus Eee 701 she may as well not have a laptop at all.
Also the 700 series only supports up to 1GB, and in fact comes with a laughable 512MB ; we're not living in the 80's anymore....

Yes. I too think it is absolutely ridiculous to ask a very general question about college before being guilt-lead into spending hundreds of euro on something that you now know is not in the least bit necessary.


Shame on you!


:rolleyes:

samhail

i agree with Thoie. very one sided opinions.

In my opinion the purpose of these boards are to get other peopls opinions rather than be limited to your decision.


i dont think that a laptop is a neccessity for college.
but i do think that it would help her alot with the laptop, both in college (academically and otherwise) and out of college

you can pick up a laptop for 300 quid just to keep her happy and quiet

Orizio

Irish Joe and Jayeire more insulting childish posts like that and you'll be banned from this forum. If you have problem with the OP's thread, then report it. Beyond that, keep your remarks civil.

The OP is right to ask around before spending money on something as expensive as a laptop. Even 300 euro can be a decent bit of cash in Ireland today.

ow2h7nft1me9i4

sake

everyone argueing then.
if yer not gonna get her the laptop, she can have one of mine. I have two.
I'm a 1st year in UCC and my mother didnt whinge about gettin me another laptop

Thoie

Jayeire wrote: »

Case in point; if you buy her the Asus Eee 701 she may as well not have a laptop at all.
Also the 700 series only supports up to 1GB, and in fact comes with a laughable 512MB ; we're not living in the 80's anymore....

If she needs it for taking notes and doing internet research, then that's more than adequate. The girl's argument seems to be that that's what she needs it for. If she wants it for playing games then it wouldn't be suitable - but in that case she shouldn't be trying to guilt her parents into thinking it's an educational necessity.

The OpenOffice suite which comes with the eee is fully compatible with the MS Office suite etc., so there wouldn't be any problems submitting essays or printing out notes if needed.

KnifeWRENCH

Laptop - desirable but not necessary. Your daughter is definitely exaggerating and trying to guilt-trip you into getting her whatever she wants.
With that said, I wouldn't recommend getting a very cheap one. If the price is low, then more than likely the quality is aswell. You should get her a good model that will last her a few years. So getting her one for Christmas (or her birthday, if it's around this time of year) might be a good idea.

Jayeire wrote:

Surely you could splash out on your daughter's happiness, even if it is only frivolity.

irishbob wrote:

Just buy your daughter the fuking laptop and keep her happy.She is only going to be going to college once in her life and you want her experience of it to be as great as possible and how she imagines it to be.

:rolleyes: and :rolleyes:
So when (if) you are both parents, you'll be willing to buy your kids whatever they want, just to keep them happy?

irishbob wrote:

I'm a 1st year in UCC and my mother didnt whinge about gettin me another laptop

Well that's just wonderful for you. Your mother clearly can afford to splurge out for two laptops, but most people will only be able to afford one.

johnny-fatality

Denver Careful Wildlife wrote: »

Just buy your daughter the fuking laptop and keep her happy..

:O

i disagree with your statement.
If you want to a nurture a spoilt brat then grand but I think the initial question is more than warranted.
maybe just give it a few weeks and if all other resources such as the 'broken' computer and UCC comps themsleves are exhausted then I think it is safe to say that a laptop would be a good investment?

Schoolteacher

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Arts = read books, take notes, create ideas in your head.
One does not need a laptop in lecture halls. Outside lectures PC/laptop is essential to type essays. OP you should get her a laptop anyway but it is not a revolutionary tool that will get her an A, reading books will do that.

Hey Pride Fighter, I like your answer, a true academic, wish you were my daughter!!

Schoolteacher

What does OP mean? Sounds like OAP!!

andrewdeerpark

My advice is get her a laptop.

Important to avoid Celeron with the deadful Windows Vista.

Get 2GB RAM, and either AMD 64X2 or Intel DUO Core processor. All other specs standard enough now like DVDRW drives and 120GB + Hard disk drives.

check dabs.ie they have a toshiba AMD 64X2 system with 2GB Ram for around 450euro great deal and smashing laptop (this laptop can be knocked back to XP aswell if required).

roberta c

My advice is tell her to get a part time job, save up and buy a laptop if she wants one. She doesn't need one in 1st arts. I have only seen one or two people in lectures with them... think most people who have them in college are living away from home so wouldn't have a desktop for the evenings at home.

She lied to you to get what she wanted. Tell her to grow up and stop trying to con the people who've given her everything.

Heisenberg.

This post has been deleted.

redroar1942

Jayeire wrote: »

First off, I would like to commend you on going behind your daughter's back and snooping for other peoples opinions on her wishes...NOT
I sincerely hope that she finds your thread!
Now back to the point in hand. How is her computer just "not working", surely she may have explained how it is broken/in what way. "not working" is very general terminology.
If it is indeed broken, surely she could contact a technician in the yellow pages, after all; a private home PC is not UCC's liability.
Surely you could splash out on your daughter's happiness, even if it is only frivolity. There are a number of "affordable" laptops available also, some available from UCC. Even if they may scar your daughter for life:eek:

Imagine going on a forum to look for other peoples opinions and find new information?? The cheek of you.

That is one of the more idiotic posts I've read on this site let alone the UCC forum.

OP stands for original poster. Buy it for Christmas , they're useful but not essential.

Jayeire

redroar1942 wrote: »

Imagine going on a forum to look for other peoples opinions and find new information?? The cheek of you.

That is one of the more idiotic posts I've read on this site let alone the UCC forum.

Sigh..
T'was merely the context of her looking for other peoples opinions, of course one has every right to look for opinions on different matters.
Of course I hold no prejudices against anybody who tries to find new information, but if you had read my thread properly..which evidently you didn't, I never mentioned anything about having a problem with "finding new information".
The intention of my post was not to offend, merely to express my opinion.
You see, thats what boards are for "redroar"...

440Hz

The Scientist wrote: »

I spent 12 months doing a masters course in UCC that relied heavily on the internet.
I had no laptop.

I did a four year computer science degree here with no computer at all! And I managed perfectly fine with the computer labs, notebooks, pens and a good sized USB drive.

redroar1942

Jayeire wrote: »

Sigh..
T'was merely the context of her looking for other peoples opinions, of course one has every right to look for opinions on different matters.
Of course I hold no prejudices against anybody who tries to find new information, but if you had read my thread properly..which evidently you didn't, I never mentioned anything about having a problem with "finding new information".
The intention of my post was not to offend, merely to express my opinion.
You see, thats what boards are for "redroar"...

Ah the moral highground, unfortunately your original post crondradicts your attempt to portray yourself as an angelic seeker/giver of knowledge.

Sigh all you will , its what Arts students do best.

Orizio

Thanks for all the petty squabbling people. I'm sure the OP has gotten her answer.

Thread closed.