| Once upon a time, the most important thing to pack | | | | GB hard drive. It needs to have a DVD/CDRW drive |
| for school was your books and lunch. Today most | | | | as well. These things should be able to handle the |
| students, especially college students pack their laptop | | | | basic needs for the student. The systems should also |
| and off to class they go. There are so many choices | | | | have a solid word processing or office suite |
| when purchasing a laptop and so many different price | | | | software. Being able to produce slide show |
| levels; it is often difficult to know where to begin. | | | | presentations is also important. A wireless connect |
| Many colleges and universities will actually state in | | | | card is a must, with almost all universities operating |
| their materials the minimum specifications for laptops | | | | on their own network. The system should be |
| and computers. Many areas of study may have | | | | upgradeable without difficulty to keep up with the |
| certain requirement as well. It would be very wise to | | | | fast pace of technology. |
| check with your field of study and the university to | | | | These are just some minimum things to check once |
| make sure you purchase an adequate system to | | | | you begin looking for a laptop. To find the best |
| handle your courses and related work. There are | | | | laptop for a student, you can check out laptops |
| even schools that will include a laptop in the cost of | | | | through manufacturer websites and stores. You |
| tuition to ensure everyone has a laptop to work | | | | should rely on other people's feedback, especially |
| from. | | | | students. There are many reviews of systems and it |
| If the college does not have any guidelines to follow, | | | | is easy to see the specifications of models to make |
| the following should help in selecting the best laptop | | | | sure your requirements are met. You can find cheap |
| for college students. One of the most important | | | | laptops meeting minimum needs very easily. Often |
| things is to remember that the student will be | | | | for just about three to four hundred dollars. |
| carrying the laptop from class to class. Therefore, | | | | Remember though, cheap does not always work. |
| the weight of the laptop is important. Try to get one | | | | Make sure that the laptop will be able to handle all |
| that weighs around six pounds. Since there may not | | | | the students' needs. |
| be lots of space in the laptop, a screen size of | | | | Many laptop stores will have special discounts for |
| fourteen inches is best. The batter life should be | | | | students. They simply need to show proof of their |
| over six hours to ensure the student will be all | | | | enrollment. There is also special financing available for |
| powered up. | | | | students purchasing a laptop. Take your time and |
| At a minimum, the laptop should have a fast | | | | examine all of the different styles and models, as the |
| processor. It should be well above 1.66MHz. The | | | | laptop is one of the most important tools for the |
| system should have 512 MB of RAM and at least 40 | | | | student. |