Could I do without a laptop in college?

K4t

Would I get by just using the library computers? Students have been doing it for thousands of years. However, nearly everyone has a laptop these days and I'm just wondering would lecturers except you to have one? I really don't fancy shelling out yet more money on something that isn't essential. Accommodation is going to cost enough as it is. I really don't have another thousand to burn.

Any thoughts?

Raemie

Its possible to get by, but if you can afford it at all i would really recommend that you get one. You wont have to pay a thousand, you can get basic laptops for a couple hundred if all you want is a word processor. Almost everything in college requires access to a computer and it really is worth it. Imagine yourself with a deadline. The reason students got by throughout history was that essays were handwritten - not the case now. handwritten stuff is not accepted, every assaignment must be typed. Colleges usually do deals for cheap laptops also so look into that. However, you wouldnt need one if you are living at home and have a computer of course - you just need free access to a computer to type your assaignments.

DoireNod

Of course, you could 'get by' by using college computers but it would definitely get annoying after a while. I hate even having to wait in line to use computers to print things out, so if I wanted to use the college computers to type up essays etc. I'd go crazy. I think a laptop is just very practical - it's your own and you can use it with privacy. If all you want is a laptop to type up essays and all that, then I'm sure you can get one for around 300, although I'm not sure where.

mikemac

You can get by.
But do you want to be in college until 9pm some night and then walking home on a cold winter night with the wind howling and the rain pouring and the local scum on the prowl? :eek:
When you could be tucked up in bed with your laptop doing your work and a mug of hot chocolate.

You most likely don't need an expensive laptop.
Any basic model will do if you are mainly typing reports.
Well worth getting a printer too, you don't want to be queuing to print stuff.
And if you only use it now and again, the ink can last months and months so not much expense

discobeaker

you could probably get a good one on adverts for cheap. Maybe include what all you need on the laptop or what you would need it to run ie you might need photoshop,music software etc for what your doing at college

Carsinian Thau

You can get by without one.

But you will definitely need access to a computer.

Just for the sake of an easy life, it'd be worth getting one.

Nothing very expensive, just enough to do the basics.

Perhaps a netbook instead of a full laptop?

g1rl

Carsinian Thau wrote: »

You can get by without one.

But you will definitely need access to a computer.

Just for the sake of an easy life, it'd be worth getting one.

Nothing very expensive, just enough to do the basics.

Perhaps a netbook instead of a full laptop?

Yeah, if you have a desktop at home already and would just be getting a laptop to use in college, don't bother. I very rarely bring my laptop to college. I think it's a stress to carry it around. But i'm lazy :]

Anna88

Depends on where you go to college....
I go to college on the northside and wouldn even dream of bringing my precious yet slow laptop to college...otherwise Id bring it and tap tap tap away some where nice and peaceful on college campus

nVid

For art type courses no, but you will need a pc at least to survive.

Tom Dunne

K4t wrote: »

However, nearly everyone has a laptop these days and I'm just wondering would lecturers except you to have one?

Absolutely not.

As others have said, however, you will most certainly need access to one. I lectured in computing subjects, so I required all material to be submitted in electronic form. Non-computing subjects may do it the old fashioned way and ask that you submit work on paper, but printed. Either way you still need access to a computer.

And you may not be aware, but you can get a cheap netbook for less than 300 Euro these days. For light college work (i.e. not games/programming/CAD) it would do you fine. You would probably pick up a second hand laptop for 100-200 Euro on Adverts.ie or the like.

Check out the Laptops forum to get an idea.

Conor108

Netbooks are cheaper than laptops if what you'll mainly use is a word processor.

http://www.expansys.ie/d.aspx?i=169883
http://ireland.dell.com/ie/en/home/Laptops/laptop-inspiron-10/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-inspiron-10&s=dhs&cs=iedhs1
http://www.amazon.co.uk

Yes. Using your phone to post on boards during lectures would cost money, so get a laptop and save by using college wireless network.

madmac187

Hey man look at the dell website on the bottom there is a category called dell outlet cheap laptops in that they are returned or refurbished but have the same warranty that a new laptop has dirt cheap you will get one for 300 no bother and there is free delivery till the end of the month.

dceire

After 5 years in college i would almost definitely say... NO!
Get a laptop!!! Even a cheap one but not too cheap because then it'll just crash with all your work on it and you'll want to kill it! PS: This also goes for Dell Laptops...dont get one!

The Big Red Button

I just finished college, I never had one and I got a 1.1! It's not necessary, but it would have been very very handy, for me anyways. If you're just starting off in September don't worry about it for now, whether or not you need it will depend on your course, you can always save up for one next summer.

Pat Mustard

These are what will happen when you depend on the college network(s):

1. The server(s) will go down.
2. The printers will run out of ink/paper.
3. You will be restricted by the college closing hours.
4. You will have to buy cards to operate the printers.
5. If you are not in college early enough, the spare computers will be gone, and you might be stuck with the one where the delete button doesn't work.
6. The server will go down and you will lose some of your work.
7. The server stays down until somebody goes and sorts whatever needs sorting. That person will sometimes be a muppet and this will take ages. You will go and drink coffee and wish you bought a laptop.
8. All of the bad things happen in the 48 hour period before your essay is due.