What will I need in Uni? Laptop? PC? Both?

[EirePlane]

Starting to prepare for uni now since It will take me ages to get everything I need before I go. I doubt my current PC will be up to the job anymore (it's 5 years old now) So I am planning to get a new rig before I go but im not sure what will be best for me.
I like the portability of laptops but I also like the performance of PCs.

If I get accepted I will be doing Computer Science and Cybernetics at Reading so I will need something that can handle a lot of programming and the capability of dual-booting Vista and Linux (So probably a large hard drive). I would also have liked something which I can upgrade myself and do my own Tech support on. It is for these reasons I was considering a PC

On the other hand it would be handy to be able to bring a Laptop to lessons and take notes on that. Would also be handy If I wanted to work in the library or somewhere other than my room as the campus is almost completely wireless enabled. I was also considering when I nead to move my stuff back home at the end of the year, it would be far easier to just put the laptop in it's bag and not have to worry about wires.

Which should I go for? PC or Laptop? Both?
Would my old PC maybe be up to the job if I got a laptop too?
Is there anythign else I should consider/look out for?
My current (ancient) spec

Cheers,
Mitchel

(P.S. I don't need a spec as I wont be buying anything for a while yet)

 

[Ender]

you could buy a small laptop and a 19 inch screen/other large screen. Basically when you are in your room connnect the laptop up to the screen and it will act as a destop replacement, therefore saving you money buying both. If you think space will be a problem, you could buy a external hard drive that simply sits on your desk till you need it.

 

[EirePlane]

The screen size wouldn't really be a problem for me.
I have always been under the impression that laptops performed less than desktop PCs in general. Also when the laptop starts getting old, I always thought that they couldn't be upgraded like a normal PC. am I right or just grossly misinformed?
i'm not too thrilled at the idea of spending hundreds on something that will be obsolete by the time i leave.

I was thinking about getting a relatively cheap laptop that would do the bare minimum of what I need (taking notes and stuff, nothing too demanding) and then building my own PC to specification. is it worth it?

 

[Alexrose1uk]

The screen size wouldn't really be a problem for me.
I have always been under the impression that laptops performed less than desktop PCs in general. Also when the laptop starts getting old, I always thought that they couldn't be upgraded like a normal PC. am I right or just grossly misinformed?
i'm not too thrilled at the idea of spending hundreds on something that will be obsolete by the time i leave.

I was thinking about getting a relatively cheap laptop that would do the bare minimum of what I need (taking notes and stuff, nothing too demanding) and then building my own PC to specification. is it worth it?

Laptops are generally only upgradeable to RAM and with PMCMIA/PCIE pc cards without DIY. With a little DIY, some of them can have upgradeable CPUs, and HDs.

Performance wise you can get machines that perform like pretty high spec machines, but the downside is the battery life isnt usually amazing on them, and as they're not in as much demand, they cost a premium. If you just want the laptop for notes, you could get a cheap one second hand/new and then spend another £600 on a faster desktop system.

 

[Echo toxin]

I've been thinking about this, too. But 49 weeks to go so things are likely to change.

I was planning to get a Macbook with whatever technology was available at the time (Core 2 Duo probaly) for work, essays, music, pictures, etc.

Then I hope to build a Core 2 Quadro gaming rig to take. Hopefully there will be a few more console-style games available when the Xbox 360 wireless controllers are supported better on the PC, so that all your uni mates join in. Otherwise one of them might bring a PS3 or something. I ain't buying any more consoles unless the games get cheaper. *moan*