If I was going to uni again I'd just get the best DTR laptop I could afford and also get a USB mouse, keyboard and decent monitor to keep in my room. Something like the Dell XPS15 or XPS17 and Dell U2311 (no I'm not on commission). Should have enough poke for uni, allow a bit of gaming - and let's face it, at uni with a high-speed network and a number of mates down the hall you will - and also give ability to carry it round unlike a desktop. And you can stash it in a drawer when the workmen need to come in to fix the shower. They'll never even know it was there...
I remember having to pack my room up each term and carry the sodding ATX tower case + CRT down 4 flights of stairs. 4 years x 3 terms x 2 moves per term = 24 arm-breaking marathons. Plus I didn't have the option to take it to the department/library. Desktops suck for uni
IMO.
Do buy a Kensington lock or two. They will let you go for a pee in the library without worrying if it will still be there when you get back.