Desktop + Ultra Portable or Full Size Laptop for College?

[BRBJackson]

If you do decide to go ultralight, take a look at the Fujitsu Lifebook. My company sent me one a few months ago, and I love it. Weighs under 3 pounds, so the decision to lug it to class or not becomes much easier. Fantastic screen as well, and the whole unit feels solid and well built. Keyboard is a bit cramped, but I got used to it fairly quickly.

http://vilpublic.fujitsu-siemens.com...book_p7120.pdf

When you get back to your dorm, just plug it into the S-video port on your TV.

 

[star882]

Go for a 17" laptop and maybe a PDA.

 

[ls20]

both


edit: get an ultra portable (dell 700m'ish)... 2 ghz centrino and 512mb is all you need (or 768)... at residence have external HD for archival storage, 19" LCD to hook-up, and set of speakers.


95% of computers today are overkill. your "college work" will consist of ms word, making ppt slides and running excel spreadsheets.

 

[Squibbles]

There's really no point to have an LCD if I don't have a desktop. I don't really believe in hooking up a laptop to an LCD. As for the PDA, no way. I hate them. Pen and paper, always, for those quick notes.

 

[Canon]

If you have the money to do it get a desktop and ultraportable... That is the best option in my oppinion...

I only have a laptop myself. I take it to classes every day with me and use it at home with a full desktop setup (monitor, keyboard, mouse, soundcard, etc. etc. it's like an octopus haha).

That works ok and is all well and good... until something happens to the laptop and IT WILL. Laptop failures are pretty darn common from my experience and the experience of others. Especially if you buy a Toshiba laptop. Stay far far away from Toshiba laptops man I can't believe how many i've seen die compared to other brands...

It is no fun when your only computer dies and is in for repair. Also as others have said it's actually a good way to force yourself to do a backup. I backup to an external hard drive and have thanked myself on 2 occasions now for doing so... I wasn't without my data unlike some other people who have had computer failures in my program. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the importance of a good backup.

 

[dvallere]

IBM X41 tablet PC...good size, reasonable price, lightweight, works for laptop and notetaking situations, big screen, reputable brand......no, I don't work for IBM, I'm just a satisfied customer. I love the tablet PC OS for doing artwork on-screen and for taking notes. Even writing emails with handwriting is pretty slick. The tablet OS is much better than the handwriting recognition stuff of old...it only took about 20 minutes of writing for my current tablet to "get it" and it rarely makes mistakes.

Then if you wanted a full screen for the dorm room you could consider that.

I did a lot of tablet pc research before buying and the IBM was really the frontrunner at the price. Fujitsu had some sleek ones in the slate form factor, well-regarded by opinionists on the net, but they were much more expensive (up to $1000 more).

 

[dhp]

once you go laptop, you'll never go back.

 

[1967cutlass]

I'm in college, and know other students. The best choice, hands down is a t series thinkpad.

 

[Edwood]

Desktop + Tablet PC = FTW.

-Ed