Having a desktop in a college dorm

[Fuzzleworth1]

So I'm heading off to college in about 7 weeks and plan on taking my desktop with me. What are some "lifehacks" or tips about having a desktop in a college dorm?

[Cypher-Jackson]

Lifehack: Get an Acer Swift/Asus Zenbook instead of a desktop

[harryk]

- Use wired ethernet connection in the dorm room. The WiFi is likely to be overloaded with all the students, particularly in the evening/night.

- Use internet sharing on your desktop and connect your laptop via WiFi to get seamless internet without using the public WiFi. If anyone asks, you're using it to transfer files.

- Look into using a VPN. The school has access to snoop on your internet habits and will have rules regarding the use of the network. 

- Make sure you have a good password and lock your computer when you leave it, even if just for a moment.

- See if there are any gaming clubs on campus. Go to LAN parties and game competitions if that's your thing. Some clubs may even have game servers hosted on campus.

- Don't sit in your dorm room on the computer every minute you're not in class. Go out and explore. Meet new people. Try new things. Get out of your comfort zone.

[kelvinhall05]

19 hours ago, Cypher-Jackson said:

Lifehack: Get an Acer Swift/Asus Zenbook instead of a desktop

1. Maybe OP doesn't want to deal with selling a desktop and buying a laptop?

2. Maybe OP can't get a good laptop even if he wanted to sell his desktop?

3. Maybe OP needs more power that he can't get even in a workstation/gaming laptop?

4. Those laptops aren't very good. If OP had to get a laptop, I would recommend a Thinkpad, partly because they're very easy to just dock and have multiple monitors and external everything.

[svpracer98]

1. Get good surge protectors, don't overload them.

2. Use ethernet, especially if your campus has Fiber.

3. Set up an account or use a laptop with no games installed to prevent distractions.

4. Consider how your desk will be laid out, space is a premium. 

5. Go outside, meet people, enjoy campus activities.

 

(All things said with hindsight 20/20) 

[Chett_Manly]

Tips, assuming confined space.

 

Wall mount the monitor on an arm that swings out and rotates, so it can face you, not your roommates. While also freeing desk space, and enabling you to push it away against the wall if need be.

[Mira Yurizaki]

You're likely going to get a pretty small desk, something like 35 or so inches wide and maybe 20 inches deep. So be sure you have space to set your keyboard and mouse aside since you'll likely have to keep the tower on the desk.

 

Invest in pair of headphones or earbuds. Not only for your sake to keep the noise to where you want it, but so you don't dump noise out to your dormmates.

 

As a precaution, make obvious and permanent markings on key components of your computer in case of theft. Also with that in mind, assume your data can be lost at any time, so find a way to have a backup somewhere.

Edited July 29, 2019 by Mira Yurizaki

[BecauseICanTBH]

• Encrypt with VeraCrypt in case it gets stolen. Windows password will lock people out but if they take your drive, they can easily get full access.
• If your case has a chassis lockout then use it.
• Make sure your fans are all set to 100% at all times so it's nice and loud.

[RoseLuck462]

This is fine, when I went to dorm I also brought along my desktop as a main computer.

 

It would be convenient to have an additional laptop or tablet though 

[Fuzzleworth1]

9 hours ago, svpracer98 said:

Set up an account or use a laptop with no games installed to prevent distractions.

Wow I never thought of that! I have both a laptop and a desktop so that makes it very easy.

 

7 hours ago, Mira Yurizaki said:

Invest in pair of headphones or earbuds.

Already got em Vmoda Crossfade wireless(used wired)

 

8 hours ago, Chett_Manly said:

Wall mount the monitor on an arm

I'm not allowed to put stuff on the wall, but my monitors are currently on a desk mount stand that attaches to the back 

 

9 hours ago, svpracer98 said:

Use ethernet

Luckily mine has it right next to the desk!

 

Thanks everyone for to suggestions!

[Sylvie]

On 7/28/2019 at 8:41 PM, Fuzzleworth1 said:

So I'm heading off to college in about 7 weeks and plan on taking my desktop with me. What are some "lifehacks" or tips about having a desktop in a college dorm?

I dunno about "life hacks" as those are usually useless/pointless. but you need to set up a password/code. 

[IntMD]

On 7/28/2019 at 8:41 PM, Fuzzleworth1 said:

So I'm heading off to college in about 7 weeks and plan on taking my desktop with me. What are some "lifehacks" or tips about having a desktop in a college dorm?

• Don't let anyone steal/break it.
• Get some girls (/boys if thats what you're in to) around play some communal games and get drunk/have fun. Don't spend all your down time on a computer.

[AlTech]

Would recommend noise cancelling headphones cos sometimes other people will make too much noise