Build a PC for uni, or just buy a laptop?

Gideon Lorr

Gideon Lorr

Gideon Lorr

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As above really, just looking for advice on what to buy.

I've seen the 6930g with an Intel P7450 2.0ghz processor, 4gb ram, 320gb hdd, and a 9600mGT for around £550.

On the other hand, I could build a desktop with keyboard, mouse and speakers for around £650-700.

On paper, the desktop would be my choice, since it would have more power, be easier to fix and of course upgrade (hoping to stretch either over 2/3 years).

But, I doubt I'll be gaming much at all in uni, especially in the first terms, and so something mid range like the laptop would do fine, and so the extra money for the desktop might be wasted in temrs of power?
Also, I'd need to consider buying a monitor for any pc I take, pushing up the cost further. And this would also have to be brought home several times a year when I'm thrown out of the halls for holidays and the like.
Portability isn't too much of an issue in terms of using a laptop in lectures, as I don't see myself using one there.

Thoughts on what is best to buy?
 
If it was me, I'd get a laptop. Much more portable and can be taken to libraries/lectures whilst at uni. Also - a laptop would be so much easier if to transport if you visited home often :p

EDIT: Just read the last bit of your post about the portability and lectures however at least with the laptop you have the option to if you choose :)
 
Nitrojan said:
If it was me, I'd get a laptop. Much more portable and can be taken to libraries/lectures whilst at uni. Also - a laptop would be so much easier if to transport if you visited home often :p

EDIT: Just read the last bit of your post about the portability and lectures however at least with the laptop you have the option to if you choose :)
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That's a good point, I might get there and decide having a laptop in lectures etc would be useful.
 
If your stuff has to go into storage over the summer (ie you can only get the minimum stuff home) would you have a machine at home to work on? I never could get a lift home between terms so I was computer-less for many weeks (or even for long weekends) as there was no way I could lug my PC home. That really narked me off, esp doing a computing course!

The upgradability of a normal PC is a definite plus though. As is gallons of screen space... Laptop + docking station + monitor?
 
OrphanBoy said:
If your stuff has to go into storage over the summer (ie you can only get the minimum stuff home) would you have a machine at home to work on? I never could get a lift home between terms so I was computer-less for many weeks (or even for long weekends) as there was no way I could lug my PC home. That really narked me off, esp doing a computing course!

The upgradability of a normal PC is a definite plus though. As is gallons of screen space... Laptop + docking station + monitor?
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Yeah, I've got a decent PC which I'm sitting at currently, so I suppose that would couple better with a laptop also, since I'd have that at home for a little bit of gaming when I'm there (:p), as well as another place to back up my files to.
 
I had a Pc throughout my first year of uni and all it got used for was work and music. Hardly played any games at all! you will probably be going out more than you'l be playing games that's certainly what happened to me. Bought a laptop in second year and left the PC at home. In fact I found myself playing more games in my 3rd year just because I was so broke form partying too much in the first two!

I've just recently bought a new PC since I've just graduated, but Id deffo say go for a laptop.
 
Well, my sister went to university, and seeing her room, theres not a lot of space. A laptop/netbook seems ideal for Uni, or a Mac.
 
my brother when he started Uni wasn't sure either but he went for a laptop and he doesnt regret it. He can easily bring all his work home with him and take it to lectures and library's.
 
I went to Uni with a massive 17'' Dell XPS gaming laptop. Sold it half way through second year after building a desktop and got a smaller laptop to replace it.

Problem with laptops is that whilst they're convenient, they're slow and you can't really upgrade them, so personally I'd echo what someone else said; get a decent desktop and a netbook or small cheap laptop. That way, you have the power and expandability in your accommodation and the laptop to take into Uni and when you go home.

If you're worried about your room being too small for a desktop, mine's rather pokey and I can easily fit a 24'' monitor and TJ07 in there.
 
I had a desktop PC throughout Uni. There was still plenty of room, tower went under the desk and the monitor, keyboard, mouse etc went on top where a laptop would go anyway. Was nice to indulge in some gaming when there was no work to do, and people were busy or just doing their own thing.

By the end of the first year I got myself a laptop, I'd always wanted one anyway and my step-dad sold me his one cheap; he'd only needed it for a few months so he just bought the one I said I'd want after he was done with it (Dell Inspiron 630m). Was a very useful thing to have, especially as my parents live in Scotland whereas I was at uni down South, so I'd never have been able to take my PC back when I went to see them. Also meant I could take it with me to the library rather than use the terrible uni PCs, and use the quieter areas of the library too.

I used my laptop a hell of a lot during my final year when I was in the library most of the time doing essays or my dissertation, but these days (since graduating) it doesn't get much use. My PC is quicker (even though the laptop is no slouch), nicer and more comfortable to use. About the only time it'd get used was if my flatmates were sitting in the lounge and I also wanted to be in there but also online or whatnot, but I live on my own now so it's being neglected.

As mentioned already, a PC + netbook may be worth looking into, although personally I wouldn't want to compromise too much on the PC spec just for the sake of having two machines. If you want a PC for gaming, there's no point reducing the spec to the point that it's not actually that great for games.

If you do go the laptop-only route though, I'd avoid Acer myself. Seems like their build quality and reliability isn't very good.
 
Laptop, my mate has a desktop but admits he could have done with a laptop because of the amount he moves around.
 
Depends on the course and the dorms you are stuck in - which im guessing you dont know much about atm :P

I would personally go for a PC (looking back) the only issue would be going home for holidays etc - but i used to do 2 trips to get almost everything of mine back home.

Just make sure you get a decent sized flash drive to carry around - that, i found, was the most important object of my life in those three years!
 
Me and all but one of my friends use laptops. Neither me or any of my friends regularly take our laptops down to uni, most of have never done so.

We dom, however, regularly use laptops for watching films and TV.

So either go for a laptop with a nice big screen and lots of processing power, a laptop with a small screen and lots of processing power and another monitor, or just get a desktop.
 
mollymoo said:
Portability isn't too much of an issue in terms of using a laptop in lectures, as I don't see myself going to any lectures :D
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How did you......know :D

Cheers for the replies, in particular on a netbook/desktop combination, it's something I never considered. I think I'll look into that, or just simply a laptop.
Seems such a powerful desktop on it's own would likely be a waste.
 
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