| If you're considering buying a laptop for a student, | | | | RAM or Random Access Memory is an important |
| here are some factors or features you might want | | | | element in your laptop. It will usually determine |
| to examine before plunging down your hard earned | | | | (along with the CPU & Hard Drive speed) how |
| cash. These are some basic elements all great | | | | fast your laptop will perform. The more RAM you |
| student laptops should possess or have which will | | | | have the better, but note 32 bit systems can only |
| make your chosen laptop more suitable for a student. | | | | use up to 4 GB of RAM and 64 bit systems can use |
| So here are some things you should consider when | | | | 8 GB or more. |
| buying a student notebook or laptop: | | | | For running Windows XP, Microsoft recommends |
| 1. Sturdy | | | | 128MB as the minimum RAM requirement, againmore |
| The student environment can be harsh and | | | | is better. For Mac OS X systems you will need a |
| unpredictable so you will need a sturdy, tough laptop. | | | | minimum of 128 MB but for optimal performance try |
| You might even consider a ruggedized notebook if | | | | 512 MB. Linux will work nicely on a system with only |
| the laptop is to be used under really extreme | | | | 4 MB of RAM. For Windows Vista - Microsoft |
| conditions. Just make sure your chosen laptop can | | | | recommends at least 1 Gig of RAM but many users |
| take the bumps and drops associated with the | | | | have reported that 2 to 3 Gigs of RAM makes Vista |
| student environment. | | | | run smoother. |
| 2. Portable | | | | 3. Graphics Card or GPU |
| The student laptop should be very portable with | | | | If a student will be handling a lot of heavy graphics |
| good battery life if it is to be used in the classroom. | | | | (video gaming aside) with their studies then the type |
| It should also be sleek and small so it can fit neatly | | | | of Graphics Card you buy will be important. If you |
| under the arm or in a backpack. Laptops are getting | | | | can afford it go with a high end GPU such as those |
| more and more compact so finding a laptop to meet | | | | offered by NVIDIA and ATI. Dual graphics cards |
| your needs should not be difficult. Just make sure it | | | | would be another option foroptimum graphics |
| has sufficient wireless connections as the Internet is | | | | performance. |
| now a valuable tool in any student's life. | | | | 4. Display |
| 3. Performance | | | | Display in a student laptop is also important. Many |
| Performance must meet your needs. Choose a | | | | students prefer a slate or convertible display which |
| laptop that offers sufficient performance and power | | | | makes it easy for note-taking. Even tablets should be |
| to carry out all your computing tasks. Again, laptops | | | | considered if note-taking is the main purpose of your |
| have greatly increased in performance and are now | | | | laptop. Otherwise make sure the display is crisp and |
| almost parallel with desktop PCs. But check the | | | | large enough to suit your needs. |
| Processor (CPU), RAM, Hard Drive and OS (Operating | | | | 5. Value for Money |
| System) on your chosen laptop to make sure they | | | | It does pay to shop around and make sure you get |
| will meet all your student's needs. | | | | great value for your money. Comparison shopping is |
| 4. Economical Laptops | | | | one of the best ways to do this; just make sure |
| Economics always plays a part in any student's life so | | | | you're getting good value for the laptop you're |
| you have to shop around and find a good quality | | | | buying. Compare CPUs, RAM, Hard Drives and |
| cheap laptop. Again, with laptop prices steadily falling, | | | | Performance to see how much you're paying for |
| finding a good affordable laptop should not be a | | | | each feature. |
| problem. Don't rule out a used or refurbished laptop | | | | The "Cool Factor" |
| as they are usually veryinexpensive. | | | | In conclusion, you should consider all the factors listed |
| 5. Theft and Security | | | | above before buying your student laptop and it will |
| Laptop theft and security should be high on your | | | | make your task much easier. However, if you're a |
| mind when buying a student laptop. Fortunately, | | | | parent buying a laptop for your student son or |
| many laptops now come with a lot of security | | | | daughter you probably already know from past |
| measures such as fingerprint entry or even face | | | | experiences that there is always an "unwritten cool |
| recognition software as seen in the latest Lenovo | | | | factor" in anything they use! To avoid |
| laptops. Also, you should check into other security | | | | disappointment, consult with your offspring about |
| measures such as the Anti-Theft software like | | | | what type of laptop they would appreciate having. If |
| LoJack that can track and locate your laptop or | | | | it is something they really like, they will take better |
| computer thru the IP address once the stolen laptop | | | | care of it and protect it as if their life depended upon |
| is used to access the Internet. | | | | it. Besides, why waste money on something they |
| Now here are some points you should consider when | | | | won't even use. |
| buying any type of laptop, student or otherwise: | | | | So don't rule out a cool high end Apple laptop or |
| 1. CPU Processor | | | | even a high end gaming laptop such as those from |
| Central Processing Unit or Processor is important in | | | | Alienware. High end laptops are more expensive but |
| any laptop or PC. Check to see how much power | | | | they also offer the best performances of any laptop |
| and speed you have; most laptops now come with | | | | you will consider, as long as the aforementioned |
| Intel's Dual Core Processors which should give even | | | | offspring has been sufficiently weaned off video |
| the most demanding student enough performance. | | | | gaming to get their school work done. Happy laptop |
| 2. RAM | | | | hunting! |