Thread by @garius

The opposite. We've got more computer labs than ever.

The software industry's big shift to software-as-service is a big part of this. It's not just about laptop price anymore. It's about how much per month Microsoft/Adobe/Whoever demand you pay for things.

https://twitter.com/DanielPhilips1/status/1439891442051305474

Now granted a lot of those tools they do cheaper student versions of, or you can actually get subs for via the uni (where we can set them up). But that's still complex and often overwhelming to new students.

So often you see a lab for work/laptop for personal split in usage.

Not saying they DON'T use laptops a lot in those labs or shared spaces. They absolutely do.

Just that computer labs are way more of a vital resource still than you'd think.

They also provide two things students often lack at home/rental:

Good internet. Proximity to books/help.

They also provide dedicated spaces away from family, with more students - young and old - now commuting to study due to costs.

Basically, computer labs at unis are actually more critical than ever. Which a lot of people (understandably!) don't realise.

Everything above is ALSO a massive reason why anyone who doesn't think public libraries don't provide a vital public service also need to get in the sea, as well.

The actual usage of those spaces, as with computer labs, is about genuine leveling up.