Is it worth getting a laptop?

[mikee65]

I see almost every Uni student with one. What exactly do they enable, just being able to quickly tap down what the lecturer says and for writing up assignments?

[burbs]

Do you ever wish you had your desktop on you any place other than where it currently is?

If so, yes.

[mikee65]

Do you ever wish you had your desktop on you any place other than where it currently is?

If so, yes.

Internet, yes

[burbs]

Netbook w/ 3G or Wireless or a Smartphone.

[ninwa]

I see almost every Uni student with one. What exactly do they enable, just being able to quickly tap down what the lecturer says and for writing up assignments?

for Facebooking / playing spider solitaire during lectures

[Chavi]

I see almost every Uni student with one. What exactly do they enable, just being able to quickly tap down what the lecturer says and for writing up assignments?

Peer pressure. You don't want to be branded a Luddite do you now?

[stonecold]

Unless you are a gamer, why you would even own a desktop beats me.

The only other negative of laptops is that they tend to overheat, particularly when the weather is hot.

[Chavi]

they tend to overheat, particularly when the weather is hot.

that's what she said

[burbs]

was she talking about laptops?

[Chavi]

was she talking about laptops?

no

[burbs]

sexy

[Damo17]

The only other negative of laptops is that they tend to overheat, particularly when the weather is hot.

The Zalman ZM-NC2000 Notebook cooler takes care of my 17" laptop very well.

[rustic_metal]

I'm getting one, but only for exchange. At uni they're a pain. You rarely need them, if you're doing science they're impossible to take notes with and you can't leave your bag anywhere. Not to mention the weight.

[ninwa]

That's why you get one of those tiny laptops - I got an EEEPC, it's good for taking notes and that's about it

@OP - they are good if
- you're doing a language-heavy course, e.g. humanities, law
- you type faster than you write

Also helps if you can touch-type

[burbs]

The Eeepc series is top shelf. Not only are the very affordable, but Asus have really got it right with netbooks. The 1018PE or the slightly cheaper R105X are available at JB HI FI at prices that are not to be missed.

They are very light, relatively fast, capable for internet browsing, word processing and I tried using VBA to find no problems.

I think if you want one for web browsing, note taking and using around the house when you don't want to be confined to your desk, this is your best choice.

Also they are called Eeepc, that's just cute.