I went through an EE program (took a bunch of CS courses too), and graduated in 2003. I didn't have a laptop through the entire thing.
A computer, sure. I had one in my dorm room. Laptops were nice, but not essential. I certainly hope that hasn't changed in the past seven years... it would be pretty sad if so.
(Then again, I also didn't have a cell phone during college, and now I have no idea how I got along without one.)
edit: To my recollection, when I was in college, the people who had laptops in class did email, wasted time on Slashdot, or played games. Seems like it was more of a distraction than it was useful.
A computer, sure. I had one in my dorm room. Laptops were nice, but not essential. I certainly hope that hasn't changed in the past seven years... it would be pretty sad if so.
(Then again, I also didn't have a cell phone during college, and now I have no idea how I got along without one.)
edit: To my recollection, when I was in college, the people who had laptops in class did email, wasted time on Slashdot, or played games. Seems like it was more of a distraction than it was useful.