That should be plenty as long as you’re just writing papers/taking notes/surfing the 'net. If you plan on installing a lot of software, recording sound or doing graphic work, it might not be enough.
I don’t have a laptop, and don’t think I really need one. Like someone else mentioned, they’re not really necessary for us English majors. There are plenty of computer labs scattered around campus for my use. If I did have a laptop, though, I’m sure I’d enjoy it immensely. Most of the high-traffic areas on campus have wi-fi access.
I do have a desktop, and it’s absolutely essential for all facets of university life. Professors simply don’t accept hand-written papers, clubs and groups send out their notices via email, some teachers like to communicate via email. If I didn’t have a desktop or laptop, I’d be constantly anchored to the computer labs.
I do have a tape recorder, though I don’t use it. When using a tape recorder, it’s easy to fall into the habit of taking less-detailed notes. Also, it can be a pain to fast forward or rewind through a 3-hour lecture looking for that one section you need to hear again.
Another note about tape recorders: Always ask your professors if it’s okay to record them. The lectures are their property and some won’t allow recordings to be made.
Do you have a laptop? If so how useful is it?
Yes. Its my only computer in fact. So its very useful. I do not take it to classes though - all my profs post their notes online so even old fashioned note-taking isn’t really necessary (which I like, because it allows me to listen and think about what’s being said, rather than mindlessly writing stuff down)
Do you have a desktop? If so how useful is it?
Don’t have one.
Do you have a tape recorder (or similar)? Is it useful?
Don’t have one, and can’t see it ever being useful to have one. Again, all our notes are posted online.
Is there anything that you have that you (or someone else may) find very helpful?
If your prof doesn’t post his notes online, encourage your classmates to encourage your prof to get with the times 
Yes I do have one. It’s very useful. I don’t know what I’d do without it.
[QUOTE=Pentax]
Do you have a desktop? If so how useful is it?QUOTE=Pentax]
Don’t need one. I already have a laptop.
I have a dictaphone. I’m on a journalism course so it’s very useful for interviews.
I had a laptop and I liked it. It is signifigantly less powerful than the one that you have, but for writting papers and running programs it worked just fine so I imagine that your’s will too.
I had a tape recorder for one class in which the prof spoke and wrote so fast that there was just no way of keeping up while taking notes. I actually listened to the lectures until my recorder was taken from the front of the class one day 
I’d say skip it and write notes instead.
One thing that I saw a while back was a legal size not tablet that recorded the things that you wrote on the tablet on top of it. You used a pen that came with it I think and it would then trasncribe all that you wrote into text and leave the diagrams in place. I think it was a 3M product, but I haven’t looked for it in a while. Much cheaper than a tablet PC and it sounds like a fine product in theory. YMMV.
–==Mike==–
I don’t know what College of Commerce means (accounting? business? finance?) but I do know chemistry. No matter what chemistry classes you take, it will be next to impossible to take notes on a computer. You’ll generally be copying and using equations (most any branch, especially heavy in analytical, physical, and inorganic), drawing diagrams (once again, most any branch), drawing reaction mechanisms and paths (organic, mostly), and so on. Unless you are really good at using Paint or the like for the drawings, Paint or ChemDraw or the like for paths (not that great for mechanisms), and can easily use Equation Editor or the equivalent in a flash for equations, you’ll be massively slowed down. The same will be true for any math or physics you have to take. It might not even be worth putting your notes into the computer–I never have, though perhaps I should, if only for clairity and ease of use later, as well as archiving.
For what it’s worth, I just use a desktop. I can’t work on a laptop size keyboard with no mouse, so I’d have to plug in a full-size keyboard and mouse for any extended work. I spend enough time upgrading it and messing around that it was worth it for me.
I do have a recorder, but I haven’t ever really used it. It gets a little use at times, but I never really used much of it. Especially in my science and math classes, so much is dependent on what is currently on the board going along with the lecture.
My minidisc recorder is a Sony MZ-N10. It was the special edition, and it rocks.
I’m doing an undergrad divinity course so it is largely arts style stuff. Still, I would much rather have the lectures there to refer to if necessary. I do take notes as well during lectures. I find I can revise extremely effectively by just noting the recorded lectures over again. Of course I don’t listen to them ALL again, but I never seem to know which ones I’ll need till later.
The best bit is for exam questions, really. When I’m preparing them, and deciding what subjects to cram, I can always work out exactly what salient points will be required and which subjects will be set by which lecturer, etc.
We were told that stuff from lectures could be used in essays without a reference, but I daresay recording may change all that. A couple of my lecturers simply don’t understand why I record them, but none have ever refused (in fact the uni has given me a special slip giving me permission to record any lecture on my course, and not everybody gets that!)
The thing is, although the notes can be there on paper, they’re scrappy and harder to file. And getting the info from your textbooks later is hard work, too. Having the whole lecture on disc does not remove the need for notes, you’ll still have to do them if you want to get the info off the disc onto paper, and you need your textbooks and stuff for essays, and you need to take notes to learn things, but it does ensure that you can do it at your leisure to some extent. And rewind for bits you miss. AND as my notes often get lost and mixed up and bexcome illegible for very fast lecturers, the recorder seemed the only sensible option. Why should my recall of my lecture depend entirely on the speed of my writing while some newbie prof rattles on about all sorts of tangents which I realise only later are unrelated to the point, and find I’ve noted half a dozen aspects of his holiday in Benidorm and missed whatever he was saying about worship and liturgy?
I don’t have a laptop, just a desktop at home, which I find extremely useful. I can access my uni’s library online from home and not have to waste tons of time waiting to use one of their terminals.
I also have a tape recorder that I keep with me, although I don’t use it in class. It has an auto-reverse feature, so I don’t have to worry about flipping the tapes, but its presence can put a damper on discussions. A few professors don’t like being taped anyway and have made an issue of it.
Robin
But hey, if you get a laptop, you can put it to good use while hanging out at Louis’! Think of all the work you can get done while waiting for your ‘order’ (once you turn 19 of course).
I did my law degree at the U of S, but graduated in 89, so won’t give you any advice since I’m thinking Treviathan’s is far more current.
How about locking storage?
I have a tool kit (I keep my socks away from my family in it) that I can lock (maybe 1 cubic foot, it’s just a normal rubber tool kit), should I bring that?
How about other electronics? I already put a password on my computer (I had to fiddle around in the registry because Microsoft didn’t understand the meaning of password protect when it made Win 98), but should I engrave all my stuff with my name?
I’m planning on taking my TV (19 inch), and Playstation 2 too, anything problems/etc you have had with these (not relating to how they affect work ethic)?
I’ll be in the Rez/Dorm/Where you sleep with a room mate, so this is why I ask
The more electronics you bring, the cooler you will be. That is all.
Engraving identifying marks probably wouldn’t hurt. You may also want to confirm that your parents’ home insurance policy will extend to cover you, and the particulars of the policy, such as the deductible.
If you can get both without too much expense, do it. In my last year in grad school, I had a desktop and laptop and both came in handy. The laptop moreso (I like being able to type and surf the net on the couch/on the floor/in the bed/etc.) but the desktop provided insurance just in case something Scary and Bad happened. And it did. The motherboard on my laptop died, but it wasn’t a tragedy because I had my desktop. (Also, I had all of my mp3s on my desktop, freeing up space on my laptop.)
If I had to choose, I’d go with the laptop. I wouldn’t recommend it for note-taking, however. I’ve been in classes with people who take notes with their laptop, and it’s kinda distracting for those sitting around them. The sound of their typing, the monitor, etc. It’s just unnecessary.
Do you have a laptop? If so how useful is it?
Yes. I got it mostly for portability. I know I could have probably gotten a better desktop for cheaper, and I’d like some more storage space (I’m thinking about getting an external harddrive to fix that problem), but I love how easy it is to pack it up. I can take it home for the weekends when I go. I even took it on a debating trip once (to do work, though we never had time to do any–instead we watched music videos on the drive back ) I did take it to class for about the last month of this year, though I have never been a huge notetaker, relying mostly on memory. Actually, I found that the harder I tried to listen to take notes, the harder it was for me to concentrate on the lecture. So instead I opened a game of solitaire, and during the break killed my battery with DDR 
Do you have a desktop? If so how useful is it?
Nope, and the last desktop there was in this house was a Commodore 64. Dad has a laptop for work, though before I went away I used it the most. I’m so used to laptop keyboards that typing on a normal one feels weird now, and I make more mistakes when I’m on a desktop.
Do you have a tape recorder (or similar)? Is it useful?
Yes, but not for taping lectures. I’m a journalism student, so a tape recorder is an absolute must fo some assignments.
I use mine constantly. Its great for getting reports written in time when the lab is only open until 5 or if I’m doing my laundry and have an hour or so I could be doing some work. Professors, at least here, don’t accept much that isn’t typed up and, of course, well researched. Laptop does wonders for both in my busy fall and spring schedule.
Do you have a laptop? If so how useful is it?
Yes. It is very useful. I’m using it now, as a matter of fact. I love the portability and convenience of it, and it does everything I need a computer to do.
Do you have a tape recorder (or similar)? Is it useful?
Nope, never have used one.
Is there anything that you have that you (or someone else may) find very helpful?
Depends on the space you have and what you’re allowed to bring. There are loads of checklists and suggestions on the internet for what to bring, plus the school usually provides a list as well.
It’s not a bad idea to borrow an engraving pen and engrave your name on your stuff. Your local PD or the uni’s PD should have one you can borrow. Be sure to put your name in two places: One on the outside and one on the inside. For example, on your computer, put your name on both the exterior and interior of the case. This is so that if your computer is stolen and Numbnuts Thief tries to erase the name on the outside, you’ve still got something inside.
Another idea I got from a friend who does live in the rez is to make a list of serial numbers and model numbers before you leave for school. Have your parents sign it, and leave it with them. That way, you have independent verification (should you need it) that this computer, serial number (whatever) belongs to you.
Another good point is, make sure your room is locked unless someone is in there, and don’t share your key with anyone else. Also, make sure that if you do bring a TV/VCR/Playstation/Whatever, that you have firm ground rules for who can use it and when. For example, can your roommate use it at will, or does it have to be when you’re there? Can your roommate’s friends use it while he’s there? That sort of thing. It can help prevent a lot of hurt feelings and misunderstandings. However, if you have issues with strangers using your stuff, leave it at home. First, though, make sure your uni will allow that in the dorms; some don’t because of problems with electrical overload.
This thread by clayton_e explains some more stuff.
Robin