Heading to College...

[bballkking1]

Heading to college and what to buy...

In september I'll be heading off to a local university where I want to continue gaming as well as have mobility about the campus. I should have ~$3000 to spend on new system(s). What should I do?

1. Should I invest all $3000 into a laptop such as the sager 9860, so that I can have both in one? Positives are that I only have to worry about 1 pc, but if that 1 pc is stolen/damaged im sunk. I know it won't be nearly as powerful for gaming as a $2000 desktop though. This option is better for LAN parties.

2. Or should I put about $1000 into a decent websurfing, paper typing laptop that will be much lighter and then $2000 into a gaming desktop that will be better for gaming than the $3000 laptop but not be very mobile? The laptop will do everything I need it to do at a college except gaming, and I can head to my dorm then when I need to escape and game.

I am currently leaning slightly towards option two because I need to replace my desktop anyway.

I was told that having an awsome gaming desktop at college is not a good idea due to the amount of virii and security issues with a college network. Is this true or can a few anti-virus programs/firewalls take care of this?

Computers I was considering:

Option 1: Sager 9860

Option 2: http://www.cyberpowersystem.com/highendsystem/ntbkx648000.asp?v=d <<Laptop

http://www.cyberpowersystem.com/highendsystem/ultra9900.asp?v=d
<< a desktop similar to this built by me.

I'd appreciate any opinions especially from those who have been or are in this situation.

 

[NewCents05]

go for a mix
thats what i did so now i can play games at school
lol
http://www.sagernotebook.com/pages/notebooks/product2.cfm?ProductType=3790&SubType=V
thats a nice 1

 

[Codeine]

If you have any questions about computer hardware, then post it in the Computer Hardware forum. You'll get alot more help there then in here.

Since you want a fast computer, while it can tag along with you. Why dont you get one of the best shuttles? These are computers with micro atx cases. You can get a special little backpack for them. Slightly smaller then a school backpack, these fit in. I would just built myself a micro atx computer. This way you would save around 500$.

http://sys.us.shuttle.com/?OVRAW=shuttles&OVKEY=shuttle&OVMTC=standard

 

[NewCents05]

yea but that would kinda weird to take notes with in classes
pull out a monitor and find outlets

 

[Codeine]

It depends on your class. My friend has a shuttle, everyday he takes it with him. He's studing Visual Communications.

 

[NewCents05]

yea but then it would be only useful in 1 class
if you study different things then a laptop would be more useful

 

[Shadow Geek]

i would get a small laptop to do your little oddjobs. and focus the rest of your money into your gaming rig. u can easily build a gaming rig for 2000. my laptop is not really worthany thing, but it gets teh job done.

also, my university network system does not interfere with any thing i do on my computer or any of my gaming. i have a desktop and a laptop, so i would go with option #2. but this my opinion.