I feel like a workstation--even a cheap one--is a grand luxury. Lugging a laptop to and from work is a pain, and utterly expected at many companies these days.

I feel like a workstation--even a cheap one--is a grand luxury. Lugging a laptop to and from work is a pain, and utterly expected at many companies these days. Leaving a desktop at work means leaving work at work. Add a mechanical keyboard and trackball, and laugh at comparisons of laptop chiclets and trackpads. Since you mentioned school work, I'm guessing you might be a full time (university?) student? Leaving work at work might be less exciting for you. Still, a desktop can help you enjoy college more. There have been some recent-ish studies showing how you retain info better when taking notes by hand. Also, campuses are lovely places best experienced out from behind the glow of a screen. Finally, walking around without a weight strapped to your back is nice.