Choosing the right kind of computer is essential in making it a useful tool for academic work. With a few guidelines, choosing the right type of machine can be easy. Portable computing comes at a cost.
Laptops are generally more difficult to upgrade.
After two or three years of use, laptop owners will often buy a completely new machine instead of trying to extend the life of the old one. The Princeton campus is for the most part very Laptop friendly, especially the Libraries. Many library areas are equipped with network connections enabling students to use their laptops at the library in the same way they would use it in their dorm room. The compactness of laptops allows students to take them home, on vacations, trips, etc. Moving desktops from place to place can be a quite a hassle.