Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2011 10:19:02 GMT -5
They were pretty common when I went to college ten years ago. I'm thinking of a young friend of mine who comes from a very disadvantaged background and will be starting college in the fall.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Jan 19, 2011 10:22:43 GMT -5
They need some kind of computer and a laptop is portable.
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Jan 19, 2011 10:22:59 GMT -5
My DD is a senior in high school and I ended up getting her a laptop before her junior year. That was the best investment we ever made. We have found that even in high school you need internet at home. Most teachers are putting assignements etc. on their web pages. You almost can not get through high school without a lap top so I image they are needed even more so in college.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jan 19, 2011 10:23:28 GMT -5
Yes, they do. Laptops are pretty cheap now. Your friend should start saving $25/week and buy a $500 laptop in August.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jan 19, 2011 10:42:12 GMT -5
Most of the college students at the university where I work do have laptops. However, there is a very decent computing facility available for students on campus where they could do whatever needs to be done. The few times I've needed to use it (for particular statistical programs for a class), getting in there to use a machine was NEVER a problem, even during finals week.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2011 10:46:49 GMT -5
I would think so. I can't imagine i'd ever choose to go back to school again without one.
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Regis
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Post by Regis on Jan 19, 2011 11:45:50 GMT -5
Yes, but take a look at the netbooks. If he/she has a major that doesn't require some major software, it's a good way to save some money while still being able to prepare papers, communicate, socialize with friends, etc.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Jan 19, 2011 12:08:36 GMT -5
I would definitely recommend getting a laptop for college. I didn't have my own computer my freshman year and it was nearly impossible to get to one in one of the many on-campus computer labs we had. ETA: I had a desktop the remainder of my time at college, but the portability of laptop would have been nice, mainly because i went home on weekends to work and it would have been nice to work on my papers at home.
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SVT
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Post by SVT on Jan 19, 2011 12:13:10 GMT -5
You don't absolutely need a laptop but it is very helpful to have one. You can't handwrite papers anymore, they have to by typed out, so you need a computer anyway, whether you're using the college's computer or your desktop at home/dorm. If you don't have a desktop, I'd say yes, a laptop is needed. A computer is needed and it's nice to have a laptop that is portable so you can take it anywhere with you.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jan 19, 2011 12:16:09 GMT -5
There is a private college where I live that supplies one to each student as part of their tuition.
I can't imagine going to college in this day and age without a laptop. That is how professors communicate with students, papers are written, etc.
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Jan 19, 2011 12:23:07 GMT -5
My DD is a senior in high school and I ended up getting her a laptop before her junior year. That was the best investment we ever made. We have found that even in high school you need internet at home. Most teachers are putting assignments etc. on their web pages. You almost can not get through high school without a lap top so I image they are needed even more so in college. My DD is a freshman in HS and most of her assignments have to be turned in online also. Some of it can be done on the schools computers in the library. The library is only open a half hour before and an hour after though. So I don't think the average kid is going to be able to do all there homework there anyway. My DD doesn't have one of her own but she borrows mine almost every night. If we didn't have one it would be a very busy year running around to pick her up after school and driving her to the town library constantly. I am pretty sure by the end of next year we will have broken down and gotten her one. Things have changed with school a lot in the last 10 years.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2011 13:16:42 GMT -5
They need some sort of computer access. If she gets scholarships or pell grant (anything of the likes, depending on the college) she could purchase a laptop after tuition is paid. I know at my local community college, we keep the computers up to date in several labs. And labs are open until campus closes.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2011 13:25:14 GMT -5
If the college requires it (my DDs college does) it will be included in the total cost of attendance and if financial aid is being awarded, then part of it may be covered. My DDs univeristy had specific computer requirements for every college within the univeristy and the dorm rooms all have ethernet connections. The entire campus has wireless although it is spotty in some areas.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2011 13:30:32 GMT -5
Both universities that I went to (master's and BS) required that you sign up for classes online, that you get your green sheet online, most professors post their slides online etc. My mother did not feel I needed a computer because I could go to the computer lab, but I showed her my work and school schedule along with the library schedule and asked when would I be able to go there? Often students work on homework after 9pm and though some school may have libraries open many do not and many may have a max amount of time you can use the computer. I think a computer is a requirement for a student in college.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jan 19, 2011 13:35:40 GMT -5
I guess I don't think the inconvenience of not having one outweighs the relatively low cost of getting one.
If nothing else, get a desktop - they are like $300.
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Jan 19, 2011 14:11:41 GMT -5
I would recommend a laptop for a college student.
That being said, I made it through high school, college, and law school without owning a computer of my own ~ though I think all of my friends did. I actually typed my papers on a typewriter, and even typed up my notes. And I typed the Bar Exam. (And this was in the 90s.)
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jan 19, 2011 14:22:04 GMT -5
Molly - I don't think being able to survive without a laptop in 1997 compares to being able to get through school today. Professors have changed the way they deal with student drastically. Granted, you were probably on the first wave of professors moving towards a more technical-based communication process, it is pretty much accepted now that professors will require an internet based approach. Maybe you don't need your very own laptop - but your experiences are outdated.
(Mine are even more outdated - What do you mean you won't accept my term-paper off a green-bar tear sheet?!)
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cronewitch
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Post by cronewitch on Jan 19, 2011 14:39:09 GMT -5
I got a desk top to do homework in 1989 and a printer, no internet. I am a bad typist and was required to type term papers. I had my SIL type them for me and she wanted to go to COSTCO first. I got a 386 for $2,000 so I could type my own papers.
I loved having spreadsheets and word processing even before excel or word or internet or laptops. Laptops, notebooks and things are very cheap now a desk top for about 300 and laptops around 500.
I wouldn't let a student suffer without decent equipment.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Jan 19, 2011 14:40:02 GMT -5
I would recommend a laptop for a college student. That being said, I made it through high school, college, and law school without owning a computer of my own ~ though I think all of my friends did. I actually typed my papers on a typewriter, and even typed up my notes. And I typed the Bar Exam. (And this was in the 90s.) Ah, but you can't access Blackboard from a typewriter.
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souldoubt
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Post by souldoubt on Jan 19, 2011 14:48:55 GMT -5
I finished college back in 2006 and there's no way that I would have gotten by without some sort of computer. Yes you can always use the school computers but when you're working full or even part time it just doesn't make sense to have to go back to school just to use a computer. The school I attended was more and more moving towards things being done online and my last 2 classes involved using blackboard which made life easier on both students and the professor. You can find laptops ridiculously cheap these days that will at least run microsoft office and get you online.
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olderburgher
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Post by olderburgher on Jan 19, 2011 15:04:06 GMT -5
They do. They do. Professors give assignments, and grades via computers today. If a class is canceled or rescheduled it is via the computer. Have a paper due soon and its 11:00 P.M. You use your laptop in the privacy and safety of your own room to work on it, instead of going to some across campus computer facility.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Jan 19, 2011 15:22:58 GMT -5
Yes they need computer. Laptops are cheaper than desktops (desktop prices usually don't include the monitor). EVERYTHING in college is now online.
I have a 1st year and 2nd year college student. It is the most important thing that they need. DD started out her first year with laptop that we had around for a few years, it was fine, but it had to be replaced after first year (keyboard and hinge problems, computer worked fine even though several years out of date). So this year we bought 2 for the kids in college and then 1 for HS junior. We did not get any extras, shopped around and found each of them for just over $300. They do not need any of the fancy extras (memory, super game or video processor, high res screen) bottom of the line works just fine. They do not need a printer. Either they just turn in everything electronically or can use the schools computers for printing. They do not need any special programs, probably not even MS office, can get by using online free google software.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jan 19, 2011 15:27:28 GMT -5
probably not even MS office, can get by using online free google software.
Every college where I've ever been employed has had MS Office available for free download for students, also for staff and faculty as well.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2011 15:42:56 GMT -5
DDs college had a software bundle that you had to purchase....it also had specific requirements for computers and you couldn't find a $300 one that met the requirements
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phil5185
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Post by phil5185 on Jan 19, 2011 15:46:02 GMT -5
You can't handwrite papers anymore, they have to by typed out, Anymore? LOL. That was a requirement when I was in college in 1958. (That was before electricity so we had to watch TV by candlelight.)
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Post by justwhoever on Jan 19, 2011 15:52:56 GMT -5
My DD is in grade school and a lot of her school work has to be done on the computer and printed out. We have the computer just don't have a printer.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2011 15:53:36 GMT -5
you can get a printer for under $100....
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jan 19, 2011 15:54:59 GMT -5
LOL Phil - did you have to go down to the typesetter to have your papers laid out by hand and then pressed?
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Urban Chicago
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Post by Urban Chicago on Jan 19, 2011 16:21:47 GMT -5
Definitely a requirement at my school.
Just one caveat, remind your student to backup files externally VERY OFTEN.
Every semester I get several sob stories about students having their laptops lost/stolen/broken and they lost all their notes, term papers, even a PhD thesis.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2011 16:24:55 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice! I didn't realize some colleges include the price of laptops in their fees/tuition. We'll have to see where she decides to go and come up with a plan for her to get a laptop. She's the first in her family to go to college, her parents have both had cancer and are now disabled. She's a great kid.
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