Laptop vs. desktop computer in college

Posted May 11th, 2009. Categorized under Computers, Going into College. 33 Comments

If you’re going to be buying a new computer for college, you’re going to be faced immediately with the choice of what kind of computer to get. Do you buy a portable laptop, or a powerful desktop?

Laptops

In general, if you can afford it, you’re going to want some kind of laptop for college. Laptops give you the freedom of portability, meaning you can take it to class to take notes, you can take it to the library to study, you can easily bring it with you when you go home for the weekend, and you can bring it just about everywhere else. At home you may not have needed a portable computer, but a laptop at college is pretty essential these days.

Desktops

I definitely do not recommend a desktop computer, but they do have two advantages: price and power. If you’re trying to go to college while spending the bare minimum, you can buy a cheap desktop computer for cheaper than a laptop with the same basic parts.

Or, if you happen to be a heavy gamer or a power user that really needs the extra juice from a machine, a desktop will offer you that power. Laptops can provide almost as much power, but at a greater cost than a desktop. Regardless, you will still need to be prepared to pay a considerable amount of money for such a computer, definitely more than a standard laptop will run.

Regardless of why you would consider a desktop, beware that you lose out on the biggest advantage of laptops — portability. Your desktop is stuck on your dorm desk, and anytime you need a computer, you’ll either have to return to your dorm or use a school computer. Your computer freedom will be very restricted.

If you’re considering a desktop because of the power, I definitely recommend buying a very cheap and small laptop. Most computer companies now sell laptops that are designed to be extremely portable. This way, you can still have a computer to use away from your dorm when you need it. Granted, this will cost even more money, but if you’re already spending a lot on a maxed-out desktop, you can probably afford a few hundred more for another laptop. But be warned — you may end up spending a lot of time transferring files between computers.

Part of my dorm room

Also, desktops take up a lot of space in an already-cramped dorm room. As you can see from the picture of my room, if I used a desktop computer, the tower and monitor would take up most of my desk space, leaving little room for anything else on it. A laptop takes up far less space and can be easily moved as needed.

A laptop is essential.

In my first year at college, I haven’t met anybody who primarily uses a desktop computer. One friend brought his up, but he turned it into a server, but he still uses his laptop as his main computer.

If you want to make the most out of buying a computer for college, you should definitely buy a laptop.

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33 Replies to “Laptop vs. desktop computer in college”

Comments:

1. Kasper from søgemaskineoptimering

May 12th, 2009 12:08 pm

BOTH! And 3 of them! Just to look cool – chicks love it! :)
j/k.. :) you are right. A laptop would definately be my choice too. Mainly to compensate for space.
My experince tells me tho, that i get more stuff done on a desktop pc. It’s just much more comfortable.

Kasper’s latest post: 16 kilder til design inspiration

2. Paul

May 12th, 2009 12:45 pm

@Kasper: I definitely understand what you mean by getting more done on a desktop. Sometimes I wish I had a desktop that I could use at my desk, but the portability makes me glad I have a laptop.

3. acidcloud

May 14th, 2009 4:05 pm

Yeah, I have both. Actually, a netbook, a laptop, and a desktop.
Nice tips though.
By the way, try to at least make your bed before taking a picture. Haha :)

acidcloud’s latest post: New Look

4. Paul

May 15th, 2009 12:45 pm

@acidcloud: I never make my bed, welcome to college :)

5. admin from london_escorts

June 13th, 2009 1:38 am

In my opinion, you can have both laptop and desktop. There’s only one factor which separates the other, and that’s mobility.

6. WebMax

June 15th, 2009 5:03 am

I tell all my students to use laptops, they are much better and now you can get them for real cheap. Desktops take up too much space and are not really ideal for students.

7. Nick from taux hypotheque

June 16th, 2009 8:10 pm

I preferred laptop, I can bring it anywhere I want even in abroad. The only downfall of laptops is that it is more costly than desktop.

8. Tommy

June 23rd, 2009 2:35 am

I had had only a Desktop computer. However, today laptop is very cheap. There is almost no reason to not have a laptop.

9. Lyka from assurance vie temporaire

June 25th, 2009 7:12 am

I’d definitely go with a laptop because it handy and everything. A desktop is only good when you stay home that much.

10. Hogwarts castle

July 11th, 2009 4:14 am

I already have a desktop, fairly new (2 or 3 years old).

Going off to college…

Curious if people find a bigger need for a laptop, or if it is just the convience of having a “portable computer”
Hogwarts castle´s last blog ..Hello world!

11. Paul

July 11th, 2009 11:12 am

@Hogwarts: Having a portable computer is what’s really useful. The freedom to take your laptop from room to room, to your classes, and to the library makes a big difference. And it saves desk space!

12. Jon

August 9th, 2009 5:20 pm

I agree about this, apart from the point that a powerful PC will be more than an average desktop.

My PC was almost exactly the same price as my notebook, has 3 cores instead of 2, and the cores run more than twice as fast each (giving a theoretical 3x performance increase)- double the ram and 4x the HDD space and infinately more gaming performance.

I’d still recommend a laptop for university (college) though – my PC is an “as well as” rather than a “replacement for” my laptop. As a computer science student, I like to have the extra grunt of a PC available – plus it’s quieter – but it can’t match the portability of a laptop (and the fact that it isn’t subject to power cuts of less than a couple of hours).

I’ve now become a 3-machine pony when at university (sorry, college) – a PC for blasting through compiling, a netbook for note taking (seriously, if you can spare the cash – get one, they’re mega-portable) and a laptop as a reserve machine, to let my girlfriend play the sims or when I go home for short periods.

13. Paul

August 9th, 2009 5:30 pm

@Jon: That’s definitely a good strategy. For any power computer users, bringing a desktop might be a good choice if you have the space — it’s nice being able to game on a quality machine rather than a small laptop, or if you run video editing software etc then it’s good to have the additional power as well. Powerful PCs will run a lot, though.

14. inapaler from DesktopTube

September 4th, 2009 8:54 pm

nice points!

I agree that for college students and if you can afford it laptop is a the good choice.
portability and extended power supplies (even without power) are the top factors that makes laptop a good choice.

15. Mini Notebook Computers

September 29th, 2009 6:16 pm

If I were making a choice I would buy a 17 inch screen refurbished laptop and a new mini notebook computer, or refurbished netbook, for Internet access and email. Buying shopping wisely you can buy two refurbished computers for the price of one new computer.

16. david from mini laptops

October 5th, 2009 2:20 pm

I do understand the need for desktop for faster computing but the portability is the big question here. For students like us laptops are the wonderful option for performance, flexibility and portability. Thanks for this wonderful piece of information.

17. Fred from Computer Desk

October 9th, 2009 12:51 am

Laptops do have several advantages if they are fast enough to handle all the processes that the user needs. I still prefer a combination of desktop and laptops to get the best of both worlds.

18. launceston computers

October 10th, 2009 2:52 am

I think college going students should have both laptop and desktop.Because laptop has an advantage of portability so we can make use of it by carrying it to the class rooms for taking note. But charge is the main problem in laptop. Desktop can be used at home so that students can make use of it for the long time no charge problems occurs unless the current shut down.

19. Patti

October 18th, 2009 3:56 pm

I was hoping this article would give some recommendations as to what you need in a computer to go to college…all the specs and any additional programs…all this basically told me was…a laptop is more practical…because it is mobil…If anyone would post the specs you need…I need for recommendations for power, memory, etc. programs such as Microsoft Office…Hm and Student, for pictures and music…oh, and maybe some games…(tee hee…for down time) all comments appreciated…Thanks in advance

20. Paul

October 22nd, 2009 1:31 am

@Patti: Don’t worry! I made a post about finding the best laptop

21. Damon from Debt Freedom

November 15th, 2009 1:35 am

Hey Paul,

When I was in college we all used Desktops. Of course that was in the late 90′s early 2000′s. Laptops where around, but they were very weak in power and not much storage space at all. Now I do everything on a laptop. I don’t even own a desktop anymore, unless you count the one I had from college days that is stored in my closet. My first computer in college had i think 16 mbs of Hard drive. It originally had 8 mbs but I had it upgraded to 16.

Can you imagine that :-)
Damon@Debt Freedom´s last blog ..Debt Collection Statute of Limitations

22. sammy from laptop trade in

December 4th, 2009 10:19 am

Well when I was in college we all used Desktops. Of course that was in the late 90’s early 2000’s. Laptops where around, but they were very weak in power and not much storage space at all. Now I do everything on a laptop.

23. brucly from payday loans

January 30th, 2010 2:13 am

i think when you are learning stage then desktop is the better option for you.laptop is always a better for professionals.other wise price is a factor and the main difference between desktop and laptop.

24. Fridge

February 1st, 2010 4:05 am

There are some very powerful laptops available now but these may be out of the price range of a student. I think that weighting up what you’ll mostly be using the computer for and when you’ll need it, and the right one will be obvious. If it’s for relaxation time a desktop might be good. If for study, perhaps a laptop.

25. John from computer freezes

February 17th, 2010 9:37 am

Your 2 desktop advantages are really good. If I were going to college now, it would be a laptop. Very portable, and you could take it to class and type notes rather than write.

26. Rob goes to college

February 27th, 2010 8:51 am

I have a laptop for class. The way I see it, you can get a 13″ laptop for pretty cheap these days. LED back lit screens, leaps and bounds better onboard graphics cards then in the past, like the 9400m by nvidia. Core 2 duos in em. Even in comparison to a desktop they may proove more powerful, depending on what sort of desktop your looking at. I would always get the laptop first for college, then if I needed a desktop, I would eat my roman noodles 7 nights a week to save up for it. But not being able to take your PC/MAC to class? That would be terrible. The space issue is huge too IMO.

27. Helen from XP drivers

March 7th, 2010 2:30 am

for college I really think laptop is a better option.
class notes, projects and other actives now these days are common use of laptop.

liked it!
thanks.

28. from Client Services Collections

May 13th, 2010 11:33 am

Depends on the major. Laptop is a must however if you are in a major that doesn’t require extensive programs thats all you really need. but if you are in a software major you will most likely need some serious hardware.

29. Tony from Gearhub

July 11th, 2010 7:57 am

A laptop is clearly the way to go if you can afford it. When I was in college, I didn’t have the luxury of having a laptop in class to take notes. There are ways to finance laptops as well. I would suggest doing so before you go the cheaper route and get a desktop.

30. Stephen

August 4th, 2010 2:37 pm

I’m definitely a big supporter of the bring a laptop but also bring an external monitor. The problem with using a laptop as your main computer for most people is the screen size rather than the power since most modern laptops are powerful enough to do just about anything you might need to, even if they’re not the quickest at it. It’s really up to the person how much they rate a little more power for games, compiling and so on and if it’s worth bringing a desktop. Remember that you can always ask to borrow a department computer if you need it to do something big. You don’t need to bring your own supercomputer to college to crunch numbers on. The best second monitor for college is an HDTV because you probably already have in your room.

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