Laptop for grad school

[Tina_HP]

Hi. For people who went through grad school, did you find it necessary to have a laptop while doing grad studies? Is it required to have a laptop for presentations and thesis defense? Should I buy a laptop?

[sparkles3288]

I think it's totally necessary. Depending on what type of grad research you're in, you'll spend a huge chunk of time reading papers and usually you'll need it with you in the lab (if that's what your reserch is in). Dosen't have to be super fancy, anything will suffice =).

[Spacko]

Contrary to the apparent need for laptops nowadays, I've just completed a PhD and I didn't use a laptop commonly until I starting writing up my Thesis earlier this year.

I got by with the desktop I had at my desk (in my lab) and I found it quite rare that I absolutely needed a laptop for presentations. Nearly all talks I gave I was able to just transfer my presentation with a USB stick and use either a permanent computer in the auditorium or add it to someone else's laptop (best to check ahead of time on this of course).

In any event, if your money is tight, I would recommend holding off and seeing what your needs are. I know a number of MSc and PhD students that do fine with their computer in the lab (that is normally made available at no charge by the lab supervisor).

[sparkles3288]

I disagree, but I guess it depends on your lab. In my lab there are 3computers for general use along with 7 grad students so the feasability of using those computers for your own personal use instead of a laptop is not very wise.

Depends on your environment I suppose.

[GoReds]

Definitely helps having your own laptop. Their are usually more graduate students than computers in the lab. I would recommend a Mac!

[filterstb]

Well, I just got my first laptop a couple weeks ago. Right now I'm not in school, still applying to grad school, but I can already see the huge difference in the projects that I am currently working on.

It puts me more at control of when and where I do work that requires typing or doing online research or communication. In school, I can't imagine going from having that flexibility in working, to not having it. Unless I were to have an iPhone or a smart phone to better take care of my to-email list.

[shaolin_28]

I just finished my PhD , and had a laptop as well. It's a big bonus when summer rolls around, and there's extra students in the lab. Also, it keeps your data, papers, and endnote libraries handy for all the writing you are going to be doing!
best of luck

[chemgirl]

It really depends on your lab. Those who didn't need one had a computer provided by their supervisor. My supervisor did not provide computers for us so it was a must. Going all day without a computer as a grad student really hinders your ability to multitask while you are waiting for gels to stain, columns to run, etc. As I did not want to leave my personal property at the lab because thefts had occurred on our floor, a laptop made way more sense then a desktop.

[chemgirl]

Oh, I forgot to mention, many scholarships include a research allowance that you can use towards a computer, so you can wait for that if you are applying and money is tight. Just make sure that your supervisor will allow you to keep the computer and not make you leave it at the lab when you are finished your degree. I have seen this happen before.