Buy a Laptop As a University Student

If you are a college student, a laptop computer will make your college life easier and more enjoyable. Laptops are a good tool for use in lectures and, as many university students live away from home, they are easier to transport. It also means that you can study anywhere!

Steps

Knowing What You Need

  1. Do your research and find out what sort of specifications you need. Most students don't require a state of the art device, but something that runs fast enough and has a decent amount of storage space. Graphics and sound probably won't be a top priority unless you're planning on playing games on the computer.
    • Laptop screen. Screen size varies from person to person. Having 12-inch laptop portability is generally a good choice. However, from the perspective of video games, a 14-inch laptop is more appropriate.
    • CPU. The CPU is the core of the notebook computer, which determines the overall performance of the laptop. As far as possible, select a high-performance CPU. If you are just chatting on the Internet, data processing, you can try a high-performance CPU; If you are likely to play games, then weigh the balance issues between the CPU and graphics performance.
    • Memory. Computer systems run almost all programs are on the memory, so selecting more memory for good computer performance is helpful.
    • Graphics. If you like to play games, then you need good graphics and a high-performance CPU.
    • Hard disk. A mainstream laptop hard drive can be 250GB to 500GB. The specific amount of hard drive space can be selected according to your specific needs.
  2. Decide what software you will need. Productivity software will be a must. Many universities offer software at reduced prices to their students. This will often be cheaper than purchasing the same software with a new computer. If your budget is limited, you can use Save Money on Computer Software by Using Free Software.

Finding a Good Deal

  1. Make a brand choice. While none of the following are endorsements for any brand, the following suggestions have been made by readers:
    • If you like the business style laptop, ThinkPad is a good choice.
    • If you like fashion, Apple and Sony will meet your needs.
    • If you are looking for value for money, then you can choose Acer.
    Each laptop brand has a relatively good product, but always read the reviews from existing users of the ones you're interested in.
  2. Shop around for the most reasonable price.
  3. Buy on sale if possible. When you have found the right one, purchase it.
  4. Arrange insurance. University students are often a popular target for thieves. You may be able to find insurance with a provider on campus.
  5. Look after it. Once you have your laptop, be sure to Take-Good-Care-of-Your-Laptop-Computer. Replacing or fixing a laptop is an expensive task!



Tips

  • Make sure you know exactly what kind of laptop you need or want before you set foot in a computer or laptop store. This is to avoid being talked into buying a laptop you may later regret purchasing.
  • If you have a friend with a laptop, ask them questions about where they got it from and what made them opt for that particular model.
  • Try open source software, like OpenOffice.org. It's free and it often works just as well as software that you have paid for.
  • Many universities have special programs with computer manufacturers that can save money. Sometimes they're good deals, sometimes they're not. Don't be afraid to shop around.
  • If your university bookstore offers on-site service for computers, check whether there are limitations on the brands they service. Check whether they service computers under the manufacturers' warranties.
  • Many universities have a technology department in their on-campus bookstore that offers sales as well as service. Oftentimes, these are non-profit organizations that have a relationship with the university. At a large enough school, this typically translates into paying less than retail for the computer and getting on-site service at a steep discount.

Warnings

  • As a laptop is portable, it may not be covered by some home insurances. Double check the fine detail to make sure you are fully covered.
  • Don't get a desktop if you need a laptop. You'll end up regretting it, even if the specifications are better.
  • If you are purchasing a laptop to use during lectures, be warned. Some lecturers do not allow laptops to be used in lectures. If a particular lecturer prohibits them, you may need to purchase a mini laptop to sneak in. Sony manufactures a laptop small enough to fit in your pocket, although the keyboard may be difficult to type on.

Related Articles

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Buy_a_Laptop_As_a_University_Student&oldid=351028"