Buying a Laptop for School Work

2006-10-18T03:54:00.000-07:00

1) What do you want to use it for?

Basic word-processing and Internet:
Most cheaper machines will be adequate for this. Processor speed and RAM is not as important as it is for video/graphics work. Keyboard comfort and screen size are just as important, though. You will need appropriate software (Word Processing and Spreadsheet are the two most important) which will save in a format which is compatible with the way your teachers/lecturers may require your work to be presented.

You could consider Microsoft Office (Student Edition), which is about half the price you would otherwise pay, or you could consider Open Office 2.0, which is freeware and as powerful and as easy to use as MS Office. It can save in formats compatible with other software.

Connectivity:
Also consider HOW you are going to transfer data (e.g. send your work to another machine). Most machines now do not come with a floppy disk drive. The alternative is write/rewritable CDs or USB memory sticks. Check that the machine has a reliable make of DVD/CD-R drive. Also check that it has sufficient (preferably more than 2) USB ports. A mouse is a highly recommended investment, so one of your ports will probably be used by the mouse.

Most laptops these days come with built-in WiFi so that you will be able to connect to your school network or the many 'hotspots' (e.g. Starbucks) which are becoming available. If you already have a network at home, you will probably want to connect to that to use a printer.

Future-proofing:
Bear in mind that, once you have a laptop, you may well want to use it for other things: watching DVDs, playing games, downloading photos/music from camera or cellphone. Ask around at school to see what other people use their laptops for and what things they notice and require (good sound card/video card, screen colour/resolution, problems with the keyboard).

You can generally upgrade RAM and it is well worth doing so. That is the one single thing that most off the shelf PCs do not have enough of! Consider doubling what it comes with. 512Mb is sufficient but 1Gb will ensure that you will be satisfied with your machine for a long time to come. Hard disk size is not so important. Most machines come with at least 40Mb which you will find very adequate for your needs. Only if you are going to store photos, music or videos on it will you need more.

Extras:
Inevitably you will need to buy certain extras. Software I mentioned above. A mouse is the single most useful thing you can get. A simple Infrared USB mouse with a scroll wheel is all you will require. There are mice with more than 3 buttons but I have always found that the extra features are mostly a hindrance unless you actually need them.

You will need a case, too. Protecting your laptop from damage is very important. They do not like being dropped, thrown around, bent or being sat on. Make sure it is sturdy, comfortable and large enough to carry a folder or two as well (or more). There is nothing worse than having several bags for course books, computer, lunch &c! There are some very good backpacks available. Check them out.

Removable storage is getting quite cheap. Get a 512Mb or 1Gb memory stick and use it to store your work on. Preferably work on files on the hard disk and copy them frequently/regularly to your memory stick, which you should keep separately to your laptop. That way, if either gets lost or stolen, you won't have lost your work!

2) Customer Service

Since you are 'pretty tech-illiterate' (that can change and probably will, unless you are an out-and-out technophobe), consider seriously what customer service you will get from the place you buy it. An 'Extended Warranty' is usually a waste of money. Many shops will push it because it's a way of getting a regular flow of money for (mostly) nothing. All products have a year's warranty anyway and if a machine is faulty, it will show problems well within that time!

Even if you pay a little more than you might on the Internet, for example, it is worth knowing that you can physically take a machine in and get good after-sales service quickly if there are any problems. A local shop that specialises in PCs is worth supporting!

3) Budget

Really this is the first thing you should know about! Set a price that you are prepared to pay and a price beyond which you will not go. Research machines in that range (but look at more expensive machines simply to see what they offer). Compare prices and don't go for the first suitable machine straight away - spend some time on it. Look carefully at 'bundled' offers - they sometimes have useful things but very often you are paying for a lot of worthless stuff that you don't actually need. You may well be able to find a machine to which you can expect to add what you need and still be within budget.

4) Insurance cover

Good insurance cover is well worthwhile. If it can be covered by your/your parents home contents insurance, make sure it is specifically listed and read the restrictions on claims. You will want a 'new for old' cover, if possible. If you are unfortunate enough to have it stolen, you will only then discover that PCs depreciate alarmingly and you will want to replace it quickly with an equivalent machine!