When Buying a Computer for College

Buying a computer for college can be frustrating. How do you know which computer is best for your needs? How do you find a computer that is good enough without spending too much?

Some colleges have agreements with Dell or other computer manufacturers. If you are interested, contact the Student Services office of your campus and ask where to get information. However, the computer you need will depend on what you plan to do with it. Many times, students rush out to buy a Gateway or Dell and pay in excess of $1000, when all they needed was a glorified word processor--a need that would have easily been met with a $400 to $700 computer from Wal-Mart.

The most important issue is what you need. Go online to your school's Web site and look up their technical requirements, especially if you plan to take online classes. The specifications on your new computer must meet or beat the technical specifications required by the college. Otherwise, you may not be able to access their online materials. For best results, take a copy of the technical specifications you need with you and compare to the specifications listed for the models on sale.

In general, more is better. Make sure that the computer, whether a desktop or a laptop, has at least 1 GB (gigabyte) of RAM (random access memory). If you are studying graphic arts, you will need at least 4 GB of RAM. You should also opt for the largest hard drive you can for the money. This is not as critical as it once was, with the price of external drives continuing to go down. A 100 GB external drive can often be purchased for less than $100. USB thumb drives can also be configured to be used for RAM if you need more space.

I am currently using three computers: a HP Pavilion desktop, a reburbished eMachine desktop, and a HP laptop (primarily for when I travel). The first two were less than $600 each, and last was bought on sale for less than $900 for a top line machine. Other brands to consider are Dell, Gateway, Toshiba, and Acer. These are the only brands the author has experience with.

If you are buying a notebook, there are some things you need to consider. First, consider the specifications. Again, it won't do you much good to buy it if it won't work with campus connections. Second, make sure that it is not a 10 to 15 pound monster. While bigger is better in some things, in college laptops that have to be toted around along with heavy textbooks, lighter is much better.

While I do have and use a laptop, I use it as a backup and for travel. In the past, laptops that were my only computer did not last well. Laptops build up an incredible amount of heat, which shortens the lifespan of the machine. If you can only buy one computer and must have a laptop, consider purchasing a Laptop Notebook Cooler Pad or some other heat dissipation accessory. All office products stores and electronics stores that sell computers should have one. They range in price, depending on whether they are USB powered, or have a power cord of their own. These products will greatly increase the life of your laptop. The articles below may help answer any other questions you may have:

Desktops	Laptops/Notebooks
Buying a Computer for College College Computer Buying Guide Tips on Buying a New Computer for College Handy Tips To Choose Your Computer Save Money When Buying a Computer	Laptop Shop: A Beginner's Guide To Computer Notebooks Student Laptop Buyers Guide Back-to-College Laptop-Buying Tips Pros and Cons of Buying a Laptop Best Laptop Computers for College Students