I'm finding my laptop incredibly useful. The computers in the institute where I study are in dire, dire need of an upgrade (Read Win 98 SE) and run incredibly slowly. There's no way to save your work unless it's onto floppy (No e-mailing your work to an account so that you can pick it up later elsewhere, as something is messed up network-wide and no USB key disks either).

The machines in the library are running some kind of Linux (I think it's Mandrake) and while they are modern, I just can't get used to the layout. Plus, something in the brower settings (Konquerer) crashes it every time I try and go onto the institute's own web site to get class updates, info etc. Add to this the fact that I just can't get used to a French keyboard (Shift+comma for a full stop or period(!)) and I've got a prime excuse for using my laptop.
Moving a desktop over to another country is not an option, and I tend to do all of my non-note related work on my computer anyway - it's neater.

All of these things combined make my personal choice obvious, but what about a "3rd way" - Small Form Factor or SFFs? I know you need all the extra kit such as a screen etc but even once those having been added on, if you're not going to be using your machine for note-taking or (as in my case, rubbish uni computer replacement) then it may work out as cheaper and less of a hassle. Laptops can be horrifically overpriced, especially for top-of the range model. The one thing I would point out is the ease of wireless networking with the newer models - good if home's a way away and the on-site machines are rubbish/unaccessable etc.

In college you'll want to have the freedom to spend some time studying outside with classmates or hanging out at the library. So a laptop would be very handy.

While I can't really afford one, all my friends who have one suffer in class because they just play Contra an Mario al the time. errgh...*cough*tspikes51*cough*

I have four laptops in the house that work......One each for the big Kids...which are pretty much Night Lights most of the time. My sweet Harpies laptop is running as long as she is awake (she Mods online role playing)....and My own, which hasnt been used since the Get Together......I guess one out of Four isnt bad .....heh

I love my laptop. I don't think I could ever go back to a desktop. The freedom of having one is great, especially if you travel a lot. Plus, it's nice to get a change of scenery every once in a while. I would stay away from Gateways though. They usually are only good for about a year. Sony Vaios are good and of course Apples if you can afford them. Good luck :)

I'm popping my head into this thread (i usually hang in computer and games) to mention that in a dorm situation, it is almost imperative to have an extended warranty with accidental damage coverage. I know that extended warranties are usually garbage and the way that places like Circuit City and Best Buy make most of their money, but since I've been working in IT i've seen several occassions where a roommate has damaged a student's laptop and left them in a bad position.

I usually recommend ppl purchase extended warranties on laptops IF they cover accidents.

I LOVE MY LAPTOP.

Would not think of living without it. If your needs don't require a large, bulky, standard system's increased capacities, I recommend going for a laptop. And make good use of it, too! It will become your best friend. It's also more energy efficient and cuts down the elecricity bill, which I suppose wouldn't be of much use if you're in a dorm.

In any case, the portability of a laptop and the ability to TYPE YOUR NOTES really really makes a difference. Especially when you're planning on sharing those notes.

I have enjoyed my laptops (been through 2 in my college career) and wouldn't trade their utility for the world.

I guess they're not for everyone though. I did have one friend in the dorms a few years back who never took her laptop anywhere, used the computer labs on campus for all of her work. She didn't like the tiny keyboard. My response: get a secondary standard-sized keyboard! Silly. In any case, I recommend a secondary keyboard, laptops do tend to go through keyboards quickly, and they're a beast to replace.

a handy tip...especially with laptops and school work, make sure you have an external backup drive, or other data redundancy. the more you shake/move/whatever a hard drive, the faster it fails...

i just signed off on nearly a grand in charges for data recovery...or as i've nicknamed it, "The Stupid Tax." Don't get hit by it...

I only had a laptop for the last 2 years of college. I wish I had my current Tablet PC, it would have been so much better.

External USB hard drives are great. Get two and use one to do semi-frequent backups when you go home to your parents house.