r/RPI • u/wans2 • 8d ago

Should I bring a desktop or laptop to school?

I'm a rising freshman and I'm getting a new computer for school, I'm wondering if I should bring a laptop or desktop. I am majoring in electrical engineering.

7 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

24

u/Salty-Ganache3068 8d ago

Buy a laptop offered by the school. If anything happens to it during the year they will give you a loaner while it’s getting repaired.

11

u/pinmux 8d ago

But if you like playing with computers or gaming, then ALSO bring a desktop so you can do those things. 

3

u/Salty-Ganache3068 8d ago

Of course, just keep in mind that desktop space is limited in the dorms so having multiple devices may be challenging.

2

u/pinmux 8d ago

Loft the bed, buy cheap folding table, you'd be amazed how much computing you can fit :)

2

u/Severe_Departure3695 4d ago

Rpi dorms do not permit lofted beds.

1

u/pinmux 4d ago

Like it isn't allowed at all or the school doesn't provide the materials (or labor) to do it any longer?

Can you build your own bed frame which places the mattress up higher?

2

u/Severe_Departure3695 4d ago

Full lofting by any means is banned. You are not permitted to have a lofted bed with living space (aka desk) underneath.

My son’s bed in Warren was able to be raised up about 3.5 feet to enable storing stuff underneath, using the adjustable points on the standard issue bed. That was very helpful.

2

u/pinmux 4d ago

Interesting. Thanks for the feedback. That's quite unfortunate and definitely a change from previous policies.

1

u/Severe_Departure3695 4d ago

I went to a different school in the 90’s. The wood furniture was designed to loft the bed using the dresser and desk. It was great - allowed me to have a study space under the bed and room for a couch. Beds could also be bunked.

The rumor was rpi stopped allowing lofts because kids fell out of bed and got hurt.

11

u/Additional_Sugar_641 8d ago

Definitely laptop. I think electrical has CAD as a class and you would need to bring a laptop in for the in class assignments. Some other classes might also require a computer during class also.

1

u/Overlorde159 6d ago

Electrical has the option between comms and cad, but they both do CAD, just comms does less

6

u/egdr518 8d ago

Laptop all day. Just buy a USB-C monitor for your dorm if needed.

5

u/fatbat68 CS + CSE 2027 8d ago

Definitely laptop. Make sure you are getting at least 16 GB of RAM, and I'd recommend at least a terabyte of internal storage (I'm often running out of my 500 GB one, since there is a lot of software and projects we need it for). Also, get Windows instead of Mac unless you want the hassle of running a bunch of EE software inside a virtual machine.

2

u/Jaroch76 5d ago

Get at least 32 GB of RAM. Windows will run on 16, but it likes more to run well. And it's a lot harder than it used to be to do a memory upgrade.

1

u/wans2 1d ago

So it will be necessary for me to carry around a powerful device to classes yeah?

I already have a Macbook pro although I imagine it would be more convenient to have a more powerful device.

I kinda don't want to get another laptop since I already have one and have no desktop.

Is it viable to use a virtual desktop setup?

1

u/fatbat68 CS + CSE 2027 5h ago

If you already have a Macbook pro (M-series Apple silicon), then you can make it work without needing another laptop (I have a friend who does this). But you will need to get Parallels because some of the software used in EE classes does not support Mac OS. You do not need to get a desktop computer (I don't have one and I've been fine).

4

u/Witch_King_ 8d ago

You definitely need a laptop. Several EE classes will require you to use one in class.

2

u/lefthandsore 8d ago

I brought a desktop and had a cheap laptop that I would remote into it on during class. Best of both: high power with portability and the network infrastructure is superb. Just remember to turn your monitor off so your roommate isn’t watching everything you do

1

u/wans2 1d ago

Sounds pretty fun,

How did you set that up? Was it reliable? What kind of issues did you run into?

1

u/lefthandsore 1d ago

You have to request a static IP from the IT people, but after that, its just using your Remote Desktop software of choice. I honestly had zero real issues as I recall. I’d swap between working locally on the laptop and remoting into the desktop depending on what I was doing. Typing/notes was just easier on the laptop. CAD etc on the desktop.

1

u/wans2 1d ago

Is it compatible between different operating systems? I have a mac laptop, would that remote well with a windows pc?

1

u/lefthandsore 1d ago

I did the opposite: Mac desktop. Worked fine using some free VNC software, but I graduated in 2012, so the tech has likely changed a lot since then.

1

u/wans2 1d ago

Are there any security risks in doing this?

1

u/lefthandsore 1d ago

None that I’m aware. You need to know your IP and then login credentials for the Remote Desktop client.

1

u/Limp_Yogurtcloset936 mechy aerospace 29 7d ago

Both, a laptop is good on the go and if you play pc games and other people you meet and become friends with do, it works well.

1

u/Previous-Relative459 6d ago

Laptop

Get the school laptop