College Laptop Guide
If you’re headed to college, besides new clothes, bedding, and a shower caddy, the one thing you definitely want to bring with you is a new college laptop computer. But as a new student dealing with tuition and room and board, you’re also going to want to save money. What are some of the ways that you can accomplish both of these goals?
First, consider that you don’t necessarily have to have the newest and most trendy computer. If you are not going to be doing complex programming—in other words, if you’re like most students, using your computer for word processing, surfing the Internet, sending email, and for music and videos—you can likely get by with a less expensive machine than others might need.
Second, less expensive brands can be just as useful as some of the trendier, more expensive models. For example, you might pay upwards of $1,000 for a basic Apple MacBook, even with Apple’s student discount. But if you’re on a budget and looking to save money on your laptop, why not compare it to models put out by Dell, Toshiba, or even Acer? These days, all of the programs you’d want to run are likely available for just about any machine running any popular operating system, so you’ll probably be just as happy with another brand.
Third, shop online. Laptop computers like the one you’re buying for college are commodities. That means that they’re the same thing whether you buy them from one retailer or another. So, you should use that to your advantage by comparing prices online, and even ordering direct from the manufacturer where that’s available. You’ll be amazed at how much money you can save by doing this.
Fourth, if you’re really on a budget, consider purchasing a used laptop for college. You can often find good deals on eBay and craigsist, where you’ll be able to buy your college laptop for $200 or less. The drawback is that there won’t be a warranty, of course. However, if you do go with a used machine, be sure you’re buying a modern enough version to meet your needs; there’s nothing worse than ordering a laptop only to realize it doesn’t have a wireless internet connection for example, because you’ve never seen one so old that it didn’t have one! Also, be sure to reformat the hard drive and add your own software once you buy the laptop. You never know what kinds of sketchy viruses the previous owner might have downloaded by accident, but by formatting and starting over you can enjoy an almost-new laptop experience!
A word of caution: You may be tempted to consider buying one of the less expensive netbook laptops for college, which can run as little as $300 or $400 for a brand new machine. However, if you’re strongly considering this, make sure you go into the store and play around with them for a while. Those small keyboards and tiny screens might be okay for occasional use while traveling, or as a backup machine so that you don’t have to rely completely on the desktop computer back in your dorm room. But if you’re going to be writing papers and virtually living with your computer as many college students do, you might find that a netbook simply isn’t big enough to fit your needs.
One last tip: Call or email the bookstore at your new college and tell them that you’re planning to buy a new college laptop. You may find that they have great deals for new students that could beat anything you’d find anywhere else. No matter when or where you get your new laptop, though, make yourself a promise. When you outgrow it, keep it. Stuff it in the back of a closet somewhere. Someday years from now, you’ll get a kick out of booting it up again to read all those old papers you wrote back in college. You’ll look back with nostalgia at a machine that will be an antique then, and you’ll smile as you think about all the things you learned while using it.
Tags: acer, Apple, apple macbook, budget, college, college laptop, college students, computer, dell, hard drive, keyboard, Laptops, Laptops For College, Mac, Macbook, netbook, RAM, sending email, Software, toshiba, warranty, word processingRelated posts
Best College Laptop: Dell Inspiron
Starting college? You’ve got the new sheets and towels. You’ve got the sturdy walking shoes. You’ve got the mini-fridge. Now you need to find the best college laptops. Might as well just start at Dell.com. They make some of the best laptops for college students.
You won’t go wrong with a Dell Inspiron laptop. The Inspiron 15 has plenty of power, with Intel Core2 Duo processors. At 2.0GHz, it will keep up with your term papers, music files and editing the video of last week’s party. And storage space won’t be a problem with a 320GB SATA Hard drive. (Your parents were lucky to have 100 Mb on their first computer!) No problem toting your computer to class to take notes and surf for tidbits to impress the professor. The Inspiron has an 8 cell battery with up to 8 hours of power.
The built-in WiFi lets you access the Wi-fi your campus provides. (Not to mention your Starbuck’s, your McDonald’s, your Barnes and Noble…) Burning your own CDs and DVDs is a snap with the 8X burner. And watching DVDs on the gorgeous, slick, wide, glossy 15.6 inch HD screen (with a 16:9 aspect ratio!) puts you in your own personal theater. Pop in some headphones and it’s movie time without bugging the roommate. (Add the optional Blu Ray for eye-popping video.)
Keep worms and viruses and nasty Trojan horses at bay with the included subscription to McAfee SecurityCenter; 15 months, yes over a year, of worry free virus protection! No shortage of places to plug in your USB dancing hula girl, or the external monitor, or the microphone. The 7-in-1 media card reader lets you pop in the card from your camera so you can share those game pictures before the hand-stamp wears off.
Of course, Mom will need to know that you AREN’T wasting away, and you HAVEN’T gotten your nose pierced. The integrated 1.3megapixel webcam lets you send her regular updates on your hair color, or chat with Skype. You’ll want to see what she’s done with your room, now that it’s the new “media center.” And although Mom may tell you looks aren’t everything, your laptop CAN say something about you! Choose cool glossy black for a sophisticated outer shell. Or not. The Inspiron comes in 8 eye-catching colors. Or personalize your new machine with over 200 artist designs, from your favorite MLB team to fractals. And what Mom loves the most? (Besides you.) The Inspiron is a great machine at a great price that will keep up with you as you jump into the college experience. Dell is the way to go.
Tags: Best College Laptops, Best Laptops For College, camera, college, college laptop, computer, dell, dell inspiron, dell inspiron laptop, DVDs, hard drive, intel core2 duo, laptop, Mac, McAfee, microphone, monitor, Skype, WiFiRelated posts
Where To Buy The Best College Laptop
When shopping for the best college laptops the first thing you ask yourself is where do I go to purchase one? There are many places to go, in person or even on-line. I will talk about both of these choices here in this article.
As for going to the usual brick and mortar type establishments, there are many to choose from. One of the things that you need to ask is, “What brand do I want”? You can look in the phone book for the nearest Gateway store in you area. They have quite a few, but there’s not one in every city. If you’re one of the people that does have one in their hometown, then you should check them out. They have every model that they make in these store and with their well trained staff you will be taken care of.
Another one of your choices can be going to the nearest Dell outlet, but then again there’s not one in every city. I myself have been in one in New York City and I found it very hard to walk out of there with just one item and when I decided on the one that I wanted it was difficult not to walk out of there with every single accessory that they offered me. They also have great laptops on sale.
Most likely you will be happier shopping on line for the laptop of your choice since you can do it from the comfort of your own home. This is how I do most of my purchases for such items. Shopping this way will help avoid the salesmen type sales pitches that will come your way when go to the actual store.
Buying best laptops for college online you can save you money by looking up promotion and coupon codes and with the many choices of online stores, they will compete more for your business.
Tags: Best College Laptops, Best Laptops For College, college, college laptop, dell, dell outlet, Gateway, gateway store, laptop