will i need a laptop?

[AbujaMan]

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well im really happy to have received an acceptance this early. my parents want to buy me a laptop as a gift for me to take to medical school. the thing is, ive never been the biggest fan of laptops. im not the fastest typist and prefer to write notes by hand when i can. i also prefer to use my desktop for the bulk of my work..

do you think its good to have anyways? perhaps i should use the gift money for something i'll be needing more.. like an espresso machine(lol)

 

[ButImLETired]

well im really happy to have received an acceptance this early. my parents want to buy me a laptop as a gift for me to take to medical school. the thing is, ive never been the biggest fan of laptops. im not the fastest typist and prefer to write notes by hand when i can. i also prefer to use my desktop for the bulk of my work..

do you think its good to have anyways? perhaps i should use the gift money for something i'll be needing more.. like an espresso machine(lol)

I think as long as you have a decent desktop no one can "force you" to have a laptop, especially if you prefer to hand-write notes anyway. You can easily print out slides and write on them if you're so inclined, or just hand-write everything. Tablets are always an option, too, if you prefer to hand-write but like the idea of being able to save notes on a laptop.
Also, don't get anything yet- some schools have very specific requirements as to what they want, and some will actually give you a laptop on the first day anyway.

 

[Docere]

Ooh I could use a free laptop.

I agree that you don't NEED a laptop. Some people prefer it, but like you, I like writing notes by hand (I just REALLY like my handwriting >.>). Plus, some schools put their lectures up online so if you miss something in class (or if you chose not to go to class), you can listen and write notes at home.

 

[Law2Doc]

well im really happy to have received an acceptance this early. my parents want to buy me a laptop as a gift for me to take to medical school. the thing is, ive never been the biggest fan of laptops. im not the fastest typist and prefer to write notes by hand when i can. i also prefer to use my desktop for the bulk of my work..

do you think its good to have anyways? perhaps i should use the gift money for something i'll be needing more.. like an espresso machine(lol)

Some schools make you buy a specific computer through them with their proprietary systems loaded. And at such schools, yes you do NEED it. So it would be a big mistake to let your parents go buy a laptop and then find out you have to go buy a new one and discard theirs for school purposes. So tell them to sit tight until you know for sure that your school you ultimately decide to attend is not one that requires you to buy a specific computer through them.

That being said, you may well find that your school requires you to have a laptop on which you take your exams, do various labs and projects etc. And you may find that much of the course noteset and lectures are online and so much of your studying is going to be done through computer, not paper -- meaning you will want a computer you can bring to the library, coffee shop etc. It's probably less about taking notes and more about having the power point lecture slides handy without printing out a forest of paper. So you very well may need a computer that you can bring to and from school, if you go to a more high tech place.

 

[p30doc]

Ooh I could use a free laptop.

Not free, it is either included in your fees or you are forced to go out and buy a specific one. This is for schools that have a specific laptop requirement of course.

 

[ar2388]

which schools require you to have a specific laptop???
also, if you have a desktop you are happy with then i think a laptop is not necessary. i also prefer to hand write notes, but i like laptops bc they dont take up quite as much room as desk tops.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Even if a laptop isn't required, I'd definitely buy one. It really will make your life a whole lot easier. Don't buy it until a month or so before you matriculate, though. You might as well get the most bang for your buck.

 

[Law2Doc]

also, if you have a desktop you are happy with then i think a laptop is not necessary.

Again, if your school requires you to bring in your computer to take your exams or do certain labs/exercises (some do), you aren't going to get by with a desktop.

 

[FutureInternist]

While you currently prefer to take notes by hand, the sheer volume of material sometimes makes it VERY difficult to do so for every class. Also, near exam time (& board studying) it will be that much easier to find your notes on computer.

But by far the biggest advantage to having a laptop is being able to watch you-tube videos while some Ben Stein like professor is droning on & on, or when they use acronyms without ever explaining them (Hooray for Wiki, & answers.com) 🙂

 

[Greonis]

I think a laptop is an incredible boon largely due to the mobility factor. Being able to take your computer just about anywhere (class, the library, a local coffee shop, a study partner's residence, etc...) is undeniably convenient. Moreover, a lot of schools require you to go abroad for clerkships/rotations, and being forced to lug around a desktop would definitely not be ideal.

In the end, of course (barring school requirements), it is up to you. Get the type of system that interests you most, bearing in mind that there are pros and cons for both.

 

[tabrazinski]

well im really happy to have received an acceptance this early. my parents want to buy me a laptop as a gift for me to take to medical school. the thing is, ive never been the biggest fan of laptops. im not the fastest typist and prefer to write notes by hand when i can. i also prefer to use my desktop for the bulk of my work..

do you think its good to have anyways? perhaps i should use the gift money for something i'll be needing more.. like an espresso machine(lol)

i agree with everyone... if you're school requires one or a certain one... you should wait. if they don't and you're not a big laptop person, then don't bother. if you're parents are still looking to get you something nice, i would recommend a stethoscope. they can run upwards of $170. (you can get cheaper ones, but the nicer ones are much much better for actually being able to hear things.) just a thought.

 

[beachblonde]

Contact the school and see what they recommend. Ask their students what they recommend. I think you'll find that a laptop will make your life immensely easier than just having a desktop.

Plus, like others have said, some schools require you to have not only a laptop, but theirs specifically. The adjustment period to a laptop is shorter than you might think...although I went from a desktop to a laptop, I really adore my laptop now.

 

[Jolie South]

And you may find that much of the course noteset and lectures are online and so much of your studying is going to be done through computer, not paper -- meaning you will want a computer you can bring to the library, coffee shop etc. It's probably less about taking notes and more about having the power point lecture slides handy without printing out a forest of paper. So you very well may need a computer that you can bring to and from school, if you go to a more high tech place.

yea, at my school you could get by without a laptop, but you'd just be making it harder on yourself for PBL sessions, taking notes in class, and general studying.

i only know a handful of people who take paper/pen type notes.

 

[DrJD]

You can get by without one, but I personally like studying in the library. So it is nice to have access to the internet/lecture notes, etc... Most schools have computers in the library that you can use, but I personally don't like using public computers...

So if you are going to go to class and then straight home to study using your desktop then a laptop probably wouldn't be too helpful. But if you are going to school in the morning and then study on campus all day then a lap top can be great. You don't have to use it to take notes if you don't want, but it is nice for the above mentioned reasons!

 

[cpa2md]

Depends on the school. We are REQUIRED to have a laptop, preferably a tablet (they said we were REQUIRED to have a tablet, but some people are getting by without them).

ALL of our tests are computer-based, and for that you must bring your laptop to class. In case you are wondering, there is a program called "Lockdown Browser" that hides everything on your computer except the browser window with your test on it, so you can't flip over to look at your notes.

Personally, I cannot imagine med school without my tablet. I am able to write directly on my notes, make new notes, etc. My studying is totally portable, as many of my required texts are even on my computer. I print out virtually NOTHING. It is extremely convenient to have all my notes in one place. If I remember that we heard something about x in y class, the notes are two clicks away. It's awesome.

That being said, DO NOT buy anything until you know for certain where you are going and what their specific requirement is.

 

[Ibn Rushd]

The newer generation of desktops are slim, sleek, and far more portable than what most people use today. Using a desktop isn't as inconvenient as most are making it out to be.

 

[Jolie South]

The newer generation of desktops are slim, sleek, and far more portable than what most people use today. Using a desktop isn't as inconvenient as most are making it out to be.

hauling around a CPU, monitor, mouse and keyboard is somehow convenient?

 

[cici1]

Sorry to bump this up, I didn't want to make a new thread and anger the mods. 🙂

Is a laptop necessary in your opinions? My school doesn't have a requirement, but I'm wondering whether I need to get one or if I should just stick with a desktop?

 

[TMP-SMX]

It's nice to have a laptop. That being said, I went through M1 with a desktop. This was ok for me because I streamed most lectures from home. If I was out studying in various places I would have much preferred a notebook. In M2, I have a notebook and I like not having to sit in one place all day.

 

[vickpick]

i can't imagine life w/o a laptop!