While a traditional desktop computer may be a bit cheaper, nearly all students today are buying laptops for school. They are portable, can be used in wireless environments like school libraries and are easy to take to class for note-taking. Before you run out and buy a laptop, be sure you check first with your school. Some schools negotiate deals with a particular manufacturer and have laptops built specifically for students. These laptops are loaded with the software the school uses for communication, and classes and will save you money, time and trouble. You can usually order them through the school and pick them up at the book store when you check in. If they do not have their own laptop configuration packages, they MAY still offer discounts on software you need (like word processing software, etc.). Before you buy, check with the school!
If you are shopping on your own for a laptop, here are some things you need to consider. First decide whether you want a PC or a Mac. If you are taking art classes, photography or graphics, a Mac is considered the preferred solution. Let’s talk about the Apple (MAC).
If you are shopping for a Mac, you have some limitations. The fastest processor, the G5, is not available for laptops yet, so you are limited on processor speed. Apple veterans love the security features, ease of use and stamina of the MAC machines. And Apple recently took a designer approach to its iBook lineup, making the look and feel of the machine more attractive to young users. Current MAC options and configurations are aligned in price with PC (Windows) laptops and now include more memory choices, and faster processors.
No matter whether you choose a Windows or Apple operating system, you must consider what you need in the way of capacity and speed. If you are taking courses in architecture, sciences, etc. or you need a lot of power and storage space for computing courses, you will want to purchase a laptop with more storage capacity and more processor speed so you are not bogged down. At a MINIMUM, you should buy a computer with 512 Megabytes of Random Access Memory (RAM), and a 40 gigabyte or larger hard drive. Most people do not need a floppy disk drive anymore, but if you like to store your files on floppy, you can get an external drive that connects to your desktop. Read/Write CD and/or DVD drives are indispensable for students who have to create media, or for those who really want to be safe and back-up their files on a regular basis.
If you are buying a Windows laptop, consider a laptop with a Centrino processor (the battery life is longer and the wireless networking feature is dependable and robust). Don’t buy a 64 bit chip machine unless your school or your studies require it. It is more expensive and most Windows software packages do not accommodate 64 bit programs.
Be sure you buy a Windows laptop that has a built-in wireless receiver because nearly all campuses today have some wireless areas and some of them have gone totally wireless. The computer should be compatible with the 802.11g Wi-Fi standard. You should note that all MAC iBooks include embedded wireless networking. Lastly, consider the screen size and weight for the laptop you want to buy. Larger displays are better for graphics work and videos, but they are also heavier and not as portable.
Dell, Apple, Toshiba, and Sony seem to be the most popular brands among students buying notebooks or laptops.
Now that you have some guidelines and recommendations, you can begin your shopping quest for the perfect computer to take to school!