Bringing a Gaming Notebook to College

Unless you need mobile gaming or plan on gaming anywhere outside of your room, there is no good reason to bring an 18" notebook to college. Cost, note taking, etc, everything is better suited by desktop + netbook.

 

Bringing a big gaming notebook to class is like wearing stonewashed jeans, jean shorts, big aviator glasses, ponytails, mullets, etc. It tells people that you're a nerd, but not the good kind. It has nothing to do with caring deeply. First impressions are the most important.

 

Well honestly, if people really care that much about what type of computer you bring to class(i.e. to the point of judging your person for it), that's probably the type of people you don't want to associate yourself with anyways...

 

sleep is your best option.

 

I have been taking a 17" Toshiba X200 to class for two years. Big deal, I carry it in a hard case. Who cares what other people think? If that is what worries some here, your problems run much deeper than what laptop to take to school.

 

im taking a 15 inch plus books and it dont phase me one bit...i have the hp notebook backpack from walmart and carry my asus g51 with me everyday... its good for me cause 1 day i have a computer class and the next i have a hour and 45 min break between class for some gaming and hw.

 

You seem inexperienced with the whole college thing...

The "cool" kids (mostly upperclassman) show up to class looking like they just rolled out of bed. Frankly, most of them actually had... as they were up socializing the night before. Most of them wearing clothes that are a great deal more functional and comfortable than fashionable.

Odds are they didn't bring the laptop to the night before, but they will to the right classes.
Pretty sure a gaming laptop with a nice big screen is going to trump that netbook for drafting programs, upper-end math programs and finite element analysis or modeling programs.

From experience there aren't many women in those classes anyways, but when there are, I promise you the right tool for the job will be appreciated, especially if she happens to be your lab partner and you both are done a lot faster because your laptop is a hot-rod and you don't have to use the crap they loan out. Being done correctly and completely and having free time faster is a good thing in just about everyone's book, in case you didn't know...

Note I'm concerned for you if you prefer the company of people who spend their time judging a book by their cover. The best and most genuinely helpful and loyal friends I ever had in college were the ones my first impressions with were not so positive. Indeed at least one of them wore the oddest and least appropriate clothing I'd ever seen... and oddly enough was the best social "in" I ever did meet as he was the life of every party!

Note, if the laptop is your only redeeming feature and you spend the entire time rubbing it saying "my precious" then yes, that is harmful... other than that, never mind worrying about the laptop. All the people worth knowing will see it as simply a tool to get you through college and into real life.

 

Anyone who identifies having a nice, expensive notebook as the sign of a nerd already has self image problems, and needs to learn how to carry themselves with more confidence.

I sometimes look back on my life, and I realize that most of the time, no one was even paying attention to me, yet I was worried about criticism that didn't and doesn't exist.

Argue the logistics, but leave public perception out of it, unless you're carrying one of those disgusting Qosmios. (Hey, if you like the Qosmio, carry it with pride.)

 

So what do we tell the Macbook Pro users? lol

Ok ok bad joke >.>

Seriously, nobody honestly pays attention or cares that much as Kevin said. Sure, if you have a nice laptop, sometimes people become interested, but other than that, nobody judges you on that and if they do, they have issues(I could think of 100 better things to assess people's personalities on such as attitude, mannerisms, verbal dialect etc.).

But then again, the general population *is* declining...

 

sell what ever laptop and get a studio xps 16 with 4670 card and that will knock off a few pounds and you wont look retarded in front of others problem solved. Now for my 2 cents you dont really need a laptop in class. its a distraction for real.

 

I've actually never taken a laptop or netbook to class. My first college (last year) had computers all over campus so I didn't need one and in class a paper and pen was prefered as I did not have to worry about a battery and it was quieter than typing and a fan to cool the machine. Profs tend to dislike the machines. Most kids just goof off on them and I would be tempted to do so as well. A netbook seems the best tool for college for note taking and websurfing. I just use my iphone a tablet and a pen.

 

It's only a distraction if you have no self-control or academic discipline. I always used a laptop because my 100 WPM came in very handy for note-taking. Depends on your major though, I have a psych degree so most of my notes are information and not things like graphs, charts, tables, diagrams, etc. When test time came around I was the most popular person around because I had such detailed notes. Depending on the class I'd have up to 3 or 4 pages of notes in Word, single spaced, per class period.

 

I had a similar problem

asus g50vt a1 laptop + trying to bring to classes = fail

but this.....

EEE pc 1005ha netbook for classes + g50vt a1 in dorm for gaming = win

 

I'm not trying to be combative here, I just genuinely don't understand why you'd have a netbook + gaming notebook. For $900, or generously $1,000, you can have a high end i7 (i5, Phenom II, whatever your cup of tea) GTX 285 desktop system and a $28" monitor.

 

Well if the person is living in a dorm, having a gaming notebook might be more practical as they can bring it with them on holidays, weekends or whatever when they're not at the dorm. For people who live at home though, it'd be better to spend on a desktop I agree.

 

it makes sense for a lot of students who attend out of state schools since most schools will require you to empty your room during summer.

 

I don't know what colleges you guys went to, but my dorm room could fit at max a 15" LCD. Plus taking it home on the train (or, God forbid... the Greyhound) during every holiday would've been hell.

 

I agree on the gaming notebook + netbook. It's just a lot easier. You should be mobile at that age, not have big gaming desktops in the dorm.

 

Mobile at that age? What? Having an 18" gaming notebook is mobile? Mobility is your netbook, gaming desktop in the dorm is your entertainment center + home cinema.

 

i see nothing wrong with having a netbook and a gaming laptop.
1 they are cheap
2 they are light.

whats not to like?

 

That's right, in 5 minutes you can pack up a 18" gaming laptop, put it in your car, and drive 1000 miles.

 

Does the OP even live in a dorm? Defeats the purpose of the conversation if he/she doesn't.

 

The way I see it, if it isn't a desktop then it's portable; even if it is 18 inches.

Sure my laptop is big, but my desktop is bigger and a lot more heavy, and I can't carry that around all day can I? Even if my laptop is almost 9 pounds, it's still more portable than any desktop could ever be.

Also, I get more complements about how big my HDX 18 than anything else.

 

Quoted for Truth.

 

bad bad bad.

 

What is the point of a gaming notebook though if you're not gaming out of your room anyway? You can build a desktop twice as fast and with double the screen size for less than the cost of a gaming notebook. Portability is a concept you're not getting -- netbook is portability at $200, unless you need gaming portability, you're paying double the cost for half the performance if you buy a gaming notebook.

 

I actually got a netbook. Sorry for taking so long to answer, I had no idea this thread was still on the first page.

 

The guys who keep talking about the "cool" kids in college sound like they're in high school. It's such a younger mentality to think of other students as "cool", especially if you're going into classes that have people 22+ years old in them.

I've been to two colleges (changed majors...sorta) and I have to say I, nor anyone else for that matter, ever saw, or thought anyone was,these generic "cool kids". It was mostly people 18-25 who were intent on learning the material, joked around a bit (most of my profs have been pretty nice men and woman) and were more concerned about work after class then what other people thought. (my old school)

Even when I transferred into my newer school that has alot more younger students, I never got this "cool kid" thing. I mean maybe they're there and I'm just not noticing cause I could give a crap less if that person thinks they're awesome.


As far as the notebook thing goes. If you want to game I agree the gaming laptop/desktop + netbook is your best option if you're intent on bringing a computer to class.

But honestly I've found most classes that require a computer will have them, and as far as having some computing power/note taking, i never understood having a laptop.

I've always preferred having a Pencil/Pen and notebook of paper. I think it's easier to write, more flexibility and it's just simpler. Mind you I'm an Electrical Engineering major, and I'm very familiar with computers. It's easier to draw graphs, pictures, and what not.

As far as those math programs go. Yeah I won't deny they're usually leagues above calculators, but you really don't need a lot of that power in early undergrad, and you should be able to get away with a higher powered calculator in your later years. In my courses in engineering I never needed anything more than a scientific calculator; and some engi programs don't even allow that!

If you really need that much computing power for your major there's a problem.

 

It all depends on what you're doing. For some rendering or calculation applications, it can get quite heavy. Now, usually there's designated computer labs to do these things(as the applications normally are quite pricey), but some students insist on having the flexibility and independence of those computer labs so they get an appropriate powered laptop.

I know that the aerospace engineers use some pretty high end probability and simulation softwares in the labs and we have labs equipped with tri SLI and Crossfire GPUs for tri-screen editing of plans and 3d renderings.

Mind you, a notebook probably will never get this much power, but hey, some people try lol

Anyhow, glad the OP managed to get something that fits his needs

 

I know that Aerospace Engi's need to be on the money to like 5+ decimals, so I could see them needing some high powered programs/equipment. But I'm gunna go out on a limb here and say that alot of that won't be until later on and they could probably get away with a good Calculator. I mean some of the higherend calculators are ridiculously powerful.

But they say programs like MATLab and the like are, at that level, alot easier/more effiecient. So yeah personal preference.

The way I keep notes (lots of pictures and writing in the margins and arrows....it comes out alright) taking notes directly on my laptop would drive me mad..

That being said I used Microsoft OneNote for an online class and that program is amazing.

 

Looks like you guys are forgetting what Laptop means even tough its a 18' one. I personally wouldn't have one at Collage (16" Max.) but some people don't bother. So just be happy with what you feel like being "good"

p.s Paper + Pen = Perfect Portability. Laptop is for some occasion like Power point expositions and all that

 

I've had no problems carrying my 1520 (15.4", like 6.5-7lbs) around in my backpack, with charger, mouse, textbooks, etc....

I only usually take it to my computer science classes, but that's most of what I am taking seeing as I am a computer science major.

A 17" though would be a bit much though.

I love vista sleep mode by the way for getting my laptop around campus without having to shut it down and reboot it every time. It uses almost no power and generates almost no heat so I can keep it in my backpack while it's in sleep mode, and it can wake up in about 5 seconds. Hibernate would be better though if you're going to carry it around for a long period of time because eventually it might drain a significant amount of battery charge or might start getting hot if packed really snugly in a backpack.

Most of my fellow CSC students that bring laptops to class have 13-15" ones, with one that carries around a 17" XPS rig and two with netbooks. The guy with the 17" complains about the weight and heat, and the ones with netbooks complain about the inconvenient screen/keyboard size and low performance/versatility.

 

I dont use my notebook in class (less it be in chem and I need it for a lab or part of the class). But I have it with me all the time (I wish it was smaller, 14 inches is to big for me).

But I would prefer a gaming laptop in the dorm over a desktop because then you can go play in a friends room or somewhere more comfortable.

 

Because playing your games by yourself in a friend's room is much more social...

 

I didn't read "by myself" in his post.... I would think playing with a friend would be a plus.

 

I see nothing wrong with taking a gaming notebook/desktop replacement to college for their sheer power and leisureliness once back in the dorm room, or your residence.

However I would never EVER recommend taking one to class. The notebook is way too big for college desks. They run hot and are not practical.

A netbook would be better, but they still cause distractions and most kids end up going on facebook. Pencil and paper is where it's at.


At least... that's my college experience. When I get an apartment depending on its location.. I might just take my desktop.

 

For me it was a decision of convenience and money. I didn't have a strong enough gaming desktop to suit my needs, and back in 07 at least it was cheaper to get a 15" laptop that could handle games than to get a more portable laptop and a desktop for my gaming.

Not having a laptop at all was just out of the question for my needs.

It is also very convenient only having to manage one computer instead of two, I never have to worry about updating and transfering copies of files, installing things twice, etc....

And I use it on the go for things a netbook just can't do, like playing games or watching an HD movie at a friends place. I live in a dorm with 3 rooms (2 bedrooms, one living area) and 4 people, and it's really nice being able to choose which room I'm on my computer in if my roommates are doing things in the other rooms. If my roommate is studying in the bedroom, I can go in the living room; if my roommate has friends over in the living room, I can use my desk in the bedroom.

I've never had issues with heat using my 1520 in class, and I haven't heard of my classmates having heat issues except the guy with a 17" XPS (which by the way he does not take proper care of that thing). A good portable laptop should not require a cooler or anything while doing the kind of light work someone would be doing during a class like word processing or web browsing.

As far as desk space goes I guess it depends on your school, it's definitely something you should pay attention to before making a decision, because if you're going to have a lot of classes in big lecture halls with those stupid little half desks that fold out of the arm rests than even a netbook wouldn't fit on that desk alongside a textbook or notebook or something.

I go to a fairly small school and we don't have any classes in lecture halls, and all the classrooms use tables instead of elementary school style individual desks, so I guess I have it pretty good as far as space is concerned.

 

Not what I meant. Meant they battery life is going to go pretty quick. As in run hot.

 

Maybe it's just my school, but the classes at my University are MADE to support laptops. There's power plugs and ethernet ports at every seat and they're not separate desks, but amphiteather type tables so they're large enough(and long enough) to accommodate both laptops and pencil/paper.

 

That's Cool!

 

You should see the rest of the school lol; there's literally power plugs and ethernet ports on the floor and ceiling(in the library for the ceiling).

At first I wanted to get something with longer battery life, but after my first day at the school, figured I wouldn't ever need the use the darn battery lol

Anyhow, despite all that, I'd support pen & paper if not to supplement the laptop(any of my teachers use pdf notes or long powerpoints so it just wastes paper/ink to print them all so what we do is look at them through the laptop and write down extra notes on paper)

 

Ya, we have power outlets and ethernet ports in the tables in the comp sci building, and absolutely everywhere in the library.

P.S. Tehehe, 404th post.

 

Well we're an Engineering school so everywhere is basically a computer science department lol XD

It's funny because when I went to CEGEP, few people had laptops, but at my University, everyone does and they watch movies while eating in the cafeteria and stuff lol It's a different world I suppose.

 

same thing here i'm an engineering major, i bring my g71 pretty much everywhere i go including class, every desk is more or less plenty large for it and i have an ethernet port and power strip near me to plug it in, also got free campus wireless if i need it. I find i use it for school just as much as i do gaming, it's convient enough to carry around, but powerful enough to play everygame i have.

 

You guys are lucky. I get free wireless, but the classrooms are definitely not laptop friendly. I'd be lucky to balance a textbook on those desks let alone a notebook.

 

Looks like this thread is going pretty off-topic, but... meh. Whatever, heh.

My university is verrrrryyy laptop-friendly. Seminar rooms have tables large enough for any laptop, as well as powerpoints for each student. Wireless available everywhere on campus.

About the whole "cool kids" thing - not sure about you fellers, but at my university, the majority of students are well-dressed. Probably because my university's right in the middle of the city, heh.

Oh, and one more thing... if you don't care about something, you couldn't care less. Stop saying that you could care less. Stop it!

 

Now we're really off topic, but it's a commonly accepted idiom, which you can blame the British for, deal with it!

 

Hmm, old but comfy jeans and T shirt/sweatshirt when cold tend to be the norm (especially for morning classes) at all three major university/colleges here. Baseball caps (men/women) and ponytails/hairclips/anything to keep hair out of face(women) tend to be petty common.

Nobody is dressed in the latest french fashion sensations and most aren't even remotely formal unless the situation requires it. Someone wearing a business suit or even semi-formal business wear to class will almost always feel overdressed. Note, such overdressed states are usually assumed to be because you need it or have an occasion (job interview hopefully).

As a performer (concert percussionist, vocal jazz, choir, small vocal/dance group) I was often overdressed in class (tux)... but only because I had to perform shortly afterward.

Nobody cares what you look like in class... not even the professor.
-Show up (on time, be polite)
-Clean (be polite)
-proper tools (pencil/notepad usually)


The right outfit and tools for the job are the key.

A gaming laptop can and does have its place... I would argue that most of my upperclass professors would have found a gaming laptop more appropriate than the "can only chat/e-mail/browse~=distract" processing power of current netbooks.