Do I need a laptop for my PH.D?
By dozhou
@dozhou (326)
United States
November 19, 2008 6:59am CST
I was wondering if it is essential to have a laptop for my Ph.D degree. For my major, most of the work is done in textbooks and labs, so I am not sure if a laptop is still needed. Ok, thanks in advance for your advice.
2 responses
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
19 Nov 08
Strictly speaking, all you should need is paper and pencil, however a PC is so extremely useful these days (especially when it connects to the Internet) for so many things that it's almost indispensable.
I find it a bit worrying that so many students are, these days, expected to have the use of technical equipment that really only serves to make their work presentable. Some schools, it seems, even look down their noses at handwritten work and give preference to work produced on a computer. I know, of course, that IT is part of the coursework and its use is encouraged in almost every subject but even a pencil and paper (and an eraser!) are 'Information Technology' - and so many people lose sight of that!
Yes, I think that, if you possibly can, you should invest in a laptop. It will make many things a lot less arduous and quicker (provided you have learnt the skills, of course). Your thesis will undoubtedly gain from the use of statistics, photos, diagrams and graphs (as appropriate) which can only really be effectively done on a computer.
@dozhou (326)
• United States
21 Nov 08
The phenomenon you mentioned is very popular on campus. Teachers often require you to email your homework and check course schedule through their website. Sometimes you will think paper and pencil useless in the classroom. That gives you a feeling: Without computers, you cannot do anything.
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
21 Nov 08
I'm afraid that more or less answers your question then! I agree that much coursework is available online and that you are very often expected to present your work by email. Most colleges do have fairly adequate facilities available to students and every library has public computers. This is, of course, not nearly as convenient but at least you can get very cheap USB memory sticks which are capable of holding all of your course work for the year. Even a full-blown 120Gb external hard drive which needs no external power supply (Freecom 2.5") is a possibility. And when you do get a laptop, it will still be useful.
I really hope you can find the funds somehow to get a laptop. There are reasonable second-hand ones available, of course. Try eBay and Craigslist (but do do plenty of research before you buy to get an idea of prices). I often advocate paying a little more to buy a refurbished model from a local dealer. It may be worth, say, $50 more to have a place you can take it back to if there are any problems.
@mvsrao (4365)
• India
19 Nov 08
I fully agree with owlwings's view .
You should get a Laptop only if you can afford it . And if you buy a laptop
then please use it for your research work only . Do not forgat your goal .
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
21 Nov 08
I don't see anything wrong with expecting to use it for relaxation as well. Provided one takes sensible precautions against harmful downloads, it won't hurt the machine. Relaxation (in moderation) is, in my view, as essential a part of study as lectures and coursework.
@dozhou (326)
• United States
21 Nov 08
Thanks for your advice. That's a reason I am a little hesitant. I can afford a laptop, but I could not guarantee I will use it mainly for my research work. Some games and music will definitely attract my attention. Maybe 60% usage of my laptop will be for relaxation. I will think it over again.
