Laptops for college students?

[TimeforMe]

OK--DD will be starting college this fall. She doesn't *need* her own computer but wants to get one with her graduation $. She wants a laptop for the portability. So where do I start? She doesn't need one with tons of bells and whistles but definitely wants a decent one. What price range should we be looking? Any suggestions?

 

[salmoneous]

Sorry - double post.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Last year we got our DD an apple before she went to college. She likes it a lot and it's supposed to have few problems than pc's (viruses, etc). I'm not an expert to know if that's really true, but she does like it a lot and hasn't had any trouble with it (other than the kitty in my signature pulling off and breaking a bunch of the keys, but that wasn't the laptops fault ).

 

[salmoneous]

My strongest suggestion would be to wait until she gets to college to decide. She'll probably realize that certain features she thought were important aren't, and will come up with needs she didn't anticipate.

And - I hate to sound shallow, but it's true - she see what kind of laptops the cool kids (or at least her circle of friends) use, and want to get something that fits in.

 

[NewJersey]

Do not, I repeat, do not get a Dell laptop. Friends of mine had them in college and they were pieces of crap! I bought an Apple powerbook g4 last year and it was fine during my senior year. not a single problem, nor was there a problem using it within the network at school.

I would either look on your school's website for the Information Technology page where they will give some suggestions, or wait until you get to orientation or move in week to ask some questions. Some schools have specific guidelines as to what sort of laptops can be used.

 

[tubachick]

late september the laptops they didn't sell to back to school kids are on sale, so let her decide what she needs and pick it up when all the sales are going on.

 

[tar heel]

Has she been to orientation yet? If not, she needs to wait until after orientation. If she has, what recommendations were made there? At my rising freshman's school, there is an extensive website showing recommended computers in a variety of price ranges. If you order a computer through the website, it comes already configured for the college's system and supposedly is also at a slight discount. The school has contracts with Gateway and Apple so that the tech department is authorized service.

 

[TimeforMe]

Thanks for the replies. You guys are quick!

I would love for her to get a Mac as I think they are far superior to PCs--not sure if she'll go for that though since she's always used a PC. I notice they're pricier than pcs. Is there anyplace to get a discounted price? If I remember correctly, macs never go on sale--is that true?

She's already been to orientation this past weekend. They gave us the specifications and she can use either.

NewJersey: Thanks for that info. I was looking at Dells but really have not been too impressed with our desktop. We'll avoid those. For a company that's supposedly known for their customer service, I think it's awful.

tubachick: I know she won't be able to wait until late September to buy one. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[horseshowmom]

I'd suggest you check with her school's IT dept. and see what specs they suggest.

As far as Dell goes, I've got several and have been pleased with them (D610's), and DD's pharmacy school actually requires a Dell laptop (this year's specs are for D620's). I have been very annoyed with Dell concerning some other issues though.

EDIT: Looks like we posted at the same time, so you already know the specs.
Good luck!

 

[NewJersey]

Thanks for the replies. You guys are quick!

I would love for her to get a Mac as I think they are far superior to PCs--not sure if she'll go for that though since she's always used a PC. I notice they're pricier than pcs. Is there anyplace to get a discounted price? If I remember correctly, macs never go on sale--is that true?

She's already been to orientation this past weekend. They gave us the specifications and she can use either.

NewJersey: Thanks for that info. I was looking at Dells but really have not been too impressed with our desktop. We'll avoid those. For a company that's supposedly known for their customer service, I think it's awful.

tubachick: I know she won't be able to wait until late September to buy one. Thanks for the suggestion though.

For students, you get 5% off I believe (or is it 10%?). Go to their website or one of the stores, they'll tell you. Also, if you buy one now, you get a free iPod Nano. They had the same promotion when I got one last year except I got the Ipod Mini.

I never used a Mac until I got one, and it took some getting used to, but it's a far better computer. I was worried I'd be lost but I wasn't. Also, I have Microsoft office installed, and I also got that for a discount, as they were having a sale when I bought my laptop. You can also now run Windows XP on a Mac, so that's an option.

Go to your local Apple store. They're of the most help!

Good luck.

 

[NewJersey]

Here's some helpful apple links:

http://www.apple.com/education/

http://store.apple.com/1-800-780-5009/WebObjects/EducationIndividual?type=higherEd

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/routingpage.html

 

[Tigger&Belle]

My DD had also never used an apple, but took to it quickly. She did the private apple class that was offered (after having it for several weeks) and was good to go. I wouldn't wait to get it until school starts, especially if she ends up with an apple, because she would want to have time to figure everything out. Do you have an apple store nearby that you could look at? That way they could show her all the features and she could think about it.

We bought hers at CompUSA. Can't say that I'd recommend buying there, but it worked out ok for us.

On the other hand, my soon to be 16yo son used one at an art camp this summer and said that he never wants an apple, so it's really a personal thing. I think a lot of it is what a person gets used to and I don't think his week long camp was long enough for him to adjust to it.

New Jersey, thanks for the student discount tips. Don't know why I forgot about that! We didn't buy online, so don't remember our deal (don't remember if they give the discount in the store and/or if you go to somewhere other than the apple store), but it's good to keep that in mind and know what you could get it for online.

 

[TimeforMe]

I went to the apple website and they do offer a slight discount ($100). I think we'll go into a store and ask around. Thanks for all the replies.

Tim, congrats on your graduation and your upcoming job in NYC. How exciting is that?! What kind of job is it?

 

[NewJersey]

Thanks! I'm really excited..I start in a month and a week. I'm starting to get nervous, but every second of my free time is spent studying for the CPA exam. I'll be working in the financial services area with a large accounting firm.

Good luck getting your daughter ready for college! Remember to always give her home cooked food when she comes home to visit.

 

[Feralpeg]

DD is going to be a Freshman at FSU. They require each entering freshman to have a PC with certain characteristics. You might check with you DD's college to see what they recommend.

 

[jsmith]

absolutely DO NOT purchase a laptop until you see what the schools requirements are-some schools will only allow machines configured in specifiv ways running specific software on thieir nets-it would be a shame to spend that kind of money and find out she didnt meet the requirement to use it on the campus network

 

[Tigger&Belle]

The OP has stated that the school has given specifications, so she is aware of what can be used.

 

[Galahad]

For every person that swears against Dell (or any other brand) there are 3 or 4 that swear BY them. We have 5 Dell laptops, including each of our sons and have had nothing but GREAT luck with them. The Dell Latitude laptop line has been very reliable.

 

[Cool-Beans]

The cheapest laptop around will be good enough to research on the internet and type class notes/papers in Word.

I think the *big* price difference comes in for gaming. That's what I've been told, anyhow. I don't know anything about computers.

The fix-it counter at our local chain store says, "We can fix your Dell computer or sell you something that works." But maybe they are just trying to push something else, I dunno.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Get an HP.
I know plenty of people don't like them, but my dad has had both HP and Compaq laptops for at least a decade and has had no problems (knock on wood). When it came time for me to get a laptop he got me an HP, and I'm very happy with it. HP's are built to last. Dad likes to compare HP's and Dells to pick up trucks (we're from the sticks...). GMC is a company that's pick up trucks last forever. Dodge, not so much. Dad says that HP is the GMC of computers (or the workhorse), and Dells are the dodge. My stepdad has a Dell desktop and has had loads of problems with their customer service. A lot of my friends at school have Dells because that's what the school sells in the store, and several have had problems
As for the required specs for the school. Most specs just add up to a fairly new computer. It's not hard to get those specs in virtually every computer available