QOTD: What's the Best Computer for a Student?
Laptop hunters, student edition?
Apple computers have always been a bit of a hit in the education sector, but according to a study by consumer electronics site Retrevo, the majority of college-bound students are not considering a Mac this year, instead opting for something less pricey.
"While Apple has done well historically in the education market, 2009 marks the dawn of the netbook," says Vipin Jain, Retrevo CEO. "Students told us they wanted longer battery life, smaller size, and a lighter laptop. 58% of them plan on spending less than $750.00. Only 18% have a budget over $1,000.00. Netbooks are affordable; some costing only $170.00. In contrast, Apple laptops start at $949.00. At a time when many people are experiencing economic hardship, having a new Apple laptop isn’t a necessity."
With that 17-inch laptop that was on sale at Wal-Mart for under $350, there does seem to be a lot of computer that a student can get if he or she shops around and catches the good deals.
For those of you buying for back to school either for yourself or someone else, what sort of computer (laptop or desktop) would you recommend?
I would of course cool that beast with liquid hydrogen
That's a school dedicated computer ( If you plan not going to your classes
The laptop that will fit the necessities of a student is dependent on the use and the values of the aforementioned student.
The end.
However as my daughter pointed out, sometimes they don't have room on the desktop in some lecture halls for a 15" machine, so if a student is taking the machine to class then maybe a 13" would be better.
If a student really knows that they won't be running anything but light office apps, maybe a netbook is all they need.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834146581
2.00ghz duo core
3gb RAM
15.6inch
250gb HD
Up to 4.6hrs of battery life
$449.99
On the other hand, if they had needs like gaming, everything becomes insanely complicated... balancing graphic power and battery life and screen size and SSD vs HD and....
I would of course cool that beast with liquid hydrogen
That's a school dedicated computer ( If you plan not going to your classes
But at the same time I had it, I had a desktop. Since I'm a "Power User", I like to have 2 computers (though I actually have about 5 or 6). I have one self built desktop with a 24" monitor for games and anime, then my newer 17" HP laptop that's considerably more powerful (and over twice as expensive) than my previous laptop, that I use for school, mobile use, laziness (I keep it downstairs in my apartment while the desktop is upstairs) etc. I went the exact opposite with it though than the trend. I hate small laptops/netbooks. I walked in the store and said "gimme the biggest SOB you got". Still gets 3 hours battery life and can play Team Fortress 2.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220566
Nvidia 240M with 1GB graphics memory, 4GB ram, nice display or, if you want to spend a little over 1200:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220563
Then you get true HD display, and some other minor upgrades... you should never have to spend 2K, unless you are just throwing money away...
I myself am a college student (going into my second year in a week). I bought a 15" HP. 2.8 ghz amd x2, 4 gigs ram, 250 gig hdd. This computer is perfect for alot of students. Depending on your major and your uses you can easily get a netbook. My major is engineering so I do need the 15" for things like cad (and my hobbies like watching movies, and editiing pictures/playing games).
To be honest battery life doesnt really matter much because chances are there is an outlet you can easily use. Another point Id like to state though is that for college you do not need any kind of laptop at all. Infact most people do not for many good reasons. I dont even use mine during class because I get bored and start browsing the web, so I only use mine while I have free time between classes to do hw or just browse/play games.
Rotating touchscreen, ssd, maybe even a core 2 duo in it? The thing would be classier (no pun intended) than a lot of peoples desktops.
Some cheap ones out there, and most students don't even need a dual core.
...
I failed at convincing my old school to buy students tablets (for advanced mathamatics classes). -_-
Either that or a slim and cheap 13".
The laptop that will fit the necessities of a student is dependent on the use and the values of the aforementioned student.
The end.
As I understand, it was paid for by our dear friends over in Redmond.
For an average student who just needs to take notes and type up assignments? Any netbook running Ubuntu Linux with OpenOffice or Lotus Symphony.
For any kind of "power user" student, like a computer science student, the Sony VAIO FW. Good balance of power, portability, price, and... a decent GPU for playing games and not doing my assignments...I mean their assignments!