When your child is setting off for college there are many things that they will need but the most important thing that you can purchase them is a computer of their own. You might be thinking that there are computers located within the library and student center of the college that your child can use, and while that is true, there is no way that a student can complete all of their homework in the limited time that they have available while sitting in a public place. Therefore, the question becomes whether you want to buy your child a laptop or a desktop computer. There are pros and cons to each choice and at the end of the day it is always a personal choice.
While it is less common to buy a college student a desktop, the choice makes a lot of sense. If your child is living on campus there is really no reason for them to carry around a laptop, especially since all of the homework will mostly likely be done within their room or can be transferred using a thumb stick. One of the largest complaints from parents who have just purchased their child a laptop is that the child has broken the computer. Laptops actually break a lot. They can be dropped from a backpack, have a drink spilled on them, or simply be forgotten. If your child is not extremely responsible then it is a good idea to buy them a desktop. However, desktops are often more expensive and can take up a lot of room in a small space.
Laptops are more popular than desktops simply because they are so moveable. A student can take them to class, to the coffee shop, anywhere. This can be handy when making presentations or working in a group environment. Laptops are also great if your child is living off of the campus because they can go to any location and work as long as there is WiFi. The issue with laptops was stated earlier: they are easier to break and are easy for others to steal.