Duke University - Computers

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Duke’s network seldom fails to make all the Internet junkies across campus quiver with delight. It’s fast, easily accessible, and well maintained. As for computers labs, some (like Perkins) almost always require a short wait, but most have plenty of open computers to offer. During midterms and finals, of course, when people are desperately writing papers, it’s much harder to find an available computer. This serves mostly to encourage the common conception that although you can function without a computer, it’s much nicer to have one. If you’re going to bring a computer, and aren’t a computer science major who needs two towers to take apart on those lonely Friday nights, consider bringing a laptop. There is nothing as convenient as being able to carry around this revolutionary little piece of machinery and write, work, take notes, or listen to music wherever you go.

Students at Duke generally have few complaints about either the labs or the network. Labs can, of course, become crowded around finals, but you’d be hard pressed to find a university where that’s not the case. You won’t be rendered obsolete without your own personal computer, but in the event that you bring one, you will be able to take advantage of Duke’s exceptional network capabilities.

Free Profile Tools

Do I Stand A Chance?

Calculate YOUR chances of admission at every school CP covers!

__%

Personality Match

Calculate YOUR personality match with every school CP covers!

__%

What'll It Cost Me?

Estimate your out-of-pocket costs at every school CP covers!

$__,___

Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

Computer labs are crowded only... Computer labs are crowded only around exams. Many classes, however, use a lot of Internet applications, so a personal computer is almost a necessity. I’d bring a desktop over a laptop; portability might only be a problem for freshmen and off-campus students. 12345 Computers Report

Anonymous says:

I think that bringing your own... I think that bringing your own computer is essential to academic life at Duke, but I do know a few students who do well without one. The network is fast and trouble free, and typically virus- and worm-free. Computer labs are never filled to capacity and are populated with different types of computers for different applications, such as Macs and PCs for student work, and Sun Unix workstations for engineering and computer-science students. 12345 Computers Report

Anonymous says:

Most students have their own... Most students have their own computer or notebook so that they don’t have to use the University’s computers. As a consequence, the labs aren’t too crowded. There are lots of possibilities to log into the network. Bringing your own computer is just an added burden. 12345 Computers Report

Anonymous says:

It’s rather fast; you can pull a... It’s rather fast; you can pull a movie off the network in maybe three minutes. Duke provides software for e-mail, file transfer, Unix shell, and such, so you can do everything on your own computer. Some classes also have Web assignments or tests that you probably won’t want to do in a computer cluster. 12345 Computers Report

Anonymous says:

Your own computer will provide... Your own computer will provide comfort, and if you have the resources, by all means, bring one. However, the computer labs are always accessible (you might have a very short wait during ‘peak’ times like exams), are in convenient places, and are conducive to working. 12345 Computers Report

Facts

Write for Us!

College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating the College Prowler guide to their school. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain internship experience, be a part of a nationally recognized company, gain tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college. Read more >