Buying A Laptop For College
11 May
If you are just entering college, you are probably looking for a good laptop. Although you can probably make do with just the campus computers, there is little doubt that you will wish you had a laptop of your own if you don’t buy one. After all, who wants to go to the computer lab every time an assignment is due? Here is what you need to know about buying your college laptop:
1. Check school requirements. Your college website likely has some recommendations for an operating system. A Mac is preferable for most students because they are immune to the majority of worms and viruses, a plus if you share files or have an unfiltered Internet connection. If you are a business student, however, you should stick to Windows, since it is the predominant platform in business environments. It is also important to consider software you will be needing. Many engineering programs, such as Pro/Engineer and AutoCAD are not available for Mac.
2. Can you buy from your school? Many colleges offer excellent computers with long warranty periods. Check your options carefully, however, as many school-offered computers are more business oriented and often have less multimedia capability. You will probably be well-served to buy your software from your school, since they will likely offer an educational discount.
3. Check your school’s repair policy. Some schools will offer to repair any PCs, others will only work on computers purchased from the school. Some won’t work on computers at all. You can also check to see if your school offers any training programs to help you become familiar with school applications and websites.
4. Configuration. Look for a model that will last you throughout your college years. Be sure you get a model that has a dual-core processor, at least 2 gigabytes of memory, and 250 gigabytes or bigger hard drive. If you are a gamer, you will need a 3D graphics chip and at least a 512 megabyte graphics card, preferably NVIDIA or ATI. Also look for any other features or software that are important to you for multimedia and other uses.
5. Size. There are pros and cons to nearly every size of laptop. The right choice for you depends entirely upon your preferences and intended use. The smaller 12-13 inch laptops are very lightweight and easy to carry, but can be highly expensive. Mid-sized 14-16 inch laptops are still relatively easy to carry and can be quite a bit more affordable than the super small models. Finally, large laptops that are around 17-18 inches provide a great screen for gaming or watching movies but are way too large and heavy to carry around all the time.
When you get ready to buy your college laptop, make sure you take the time to thoroughly research your options before making a decision. This is the computer that will be your lifeline for the next four years or so. You will use it for homework, studying, communication, entertainment, and gaming. As such, you have to make sure that the computer you buy is the right fit for you.
Sierra Sapphire is a contributing writer at HowDoIBe. HowDoIBe provides information on How to Become a Graphic Designer and other career options.
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