I think it's different for everyone... I had a laptop last year... it was ok, but couldn't do as much or hold as much info as a PC... plus, i never brought it someplace else to do homework or anything... the main difference is that i could bring it home on vacation and not have to worry about it getting stolen... but I'll be in an apartment this year and am getting a desktop... just cuz it can do more, actually is cheaper to buy, and don't have to *really* worry about it getting stolen as much as in a dorm... for a dorm, i'd say go for the laptop, but i think it's different for everyone