Santa

For anyone that is in or recently was in college, is it normal and even encouraged to have laptops in the classroom for notetaking and what not? Of course it isnt allowed in highschool, but im wondering if its worth it for college.

Got $550 worth of graduation money from various relatives, and circuit city is currently having a deal for recent graduates where I can get a decent laptop anywhere from $450-$550. Some of them apparently even come with a free printer, so its a pretty damn good deal.