Going to college is an exciting time for both young adults and their parents. It can be difficult to know what’s appropriate to bring to get the most out of your college experience. Most students bring a laptop with them for classwork and homework. Is a 15-inch laptop too big to bring to campus?
A 15-inch laptop is on the large side for personal computers, but it can still be taken to college. Factors to consider include the weight of the laptop and whether you will need to carry it to every class. It may be a burden you’d rather leave in your dorm room.
Keep reading to learn more about what to consider when bringing your personal laptop to college.
Do You Need Your Laptop For Every Class?
Depending on your field of study and the classes you’re taking, you might need to have your laptop with you in class. Some professors may require you to have your laptop to participate in class quizzes, for example.
Check the syllabi of the classes you’ve signed up for and see if the professor expects you to bring a computer to class. Many courses may not require a laptop in class.
For example, an art class may require only that you bring drawing materials. A literature course will require that you bring the book to discussions, but you may not need your laptop.
If you’d rather leave your computer in your dorm room, you can take notes the old-fashioned way, with a notebook and pen. If you need a computer or access to the Internet while on campus, you can visit the university library and use a computer there. If a 15-inch laptop is a burden to carry, you can still succeed in class without it.
How Awkward Is It to Carry a 15-inch Laptop?
A 15-inch laptop is rather large, but depending on the model, it may not be too awkward to carry.
Consider the weight of the device and whether you would be comfortable carrying that for an extended period of time. You can even try walking around with your laptop to see how it would feel!
Does your laptop fit in a backpack, or do you have a case for it? A 15-inch laptop may not fit in every backpack, so this is something to test out before you bring it to college. If it does not fit in the backpack you’re planning to take to class, how will you carry it? Do you have a laptop bag, and is the bag comfortable to carry?
What Do You Have to Carry Besides the Laptop?
It is also important to consider the other things you’ll have to bring to class.
If you bought textbooks for your courses, you may have to bring them with you to class, and that can get heavy. If your textbooks are online or digital, and all you need to bring is your laptop, then it’s not really a problem!
In addition to textbooks, you may need to bring other books, binders, notebooks, a planner, and other school supplies. If you are carrying a large laptop on top of this, it may get uncomfortable for you. Plus, your laptop may come with accessories, too, like a charger or wireless mouse.
These things on their own may not add much weight to your backpack, but all together it is an important consideration.
How Far Do You Have to Travel with the Laptop?
If your campus is wide and your dorm is far away from your classes, you’ll have to walk a long way.
Walking with a heavy backpack for a long time may get tiresome. If your school offers bus services, this may not be a big problem for you. You should look at the distances you have to travel before you commit to bringing a heavy laptop to campus.
Does the Laptop Have a Hard Drive or Solid-State Drive?
A final consideration has to do with the specs of the laptop itself.
Laptops with hard drives are at an increased risk of damage if they are jostled or moved around too much. If you are planning on bringing your computer to class with you, a laptop with a hard drive may wear out faster.
A solid-state drive is more flexible. There is a lower risk of internal damage if you have to carry your laptop around with you. Of course, if your plan is to keep your laptop in your dorm room, then the type of drive your computer has won’t be a huge consideration!
Conclusion
A 15-inch laptop (or one even larger) can be a bit cumbersome. It might be better off left in your dorm rather than carried around with you. However, if none of these factors pose a problem for you, then don’t be deterred from carrying your big laptop with you as you embark on your college career. Happy learning!
