How big of  a computer do i need for college?
544553
Get a fairly affordable one with about 30GB memory, i have a Dell laptop since my uni days, still going strong. Laptops are also much handier, you can lug them around to the library with you, and back to your family home. I think thats the best option.
1019895
go with the dell. MS systems are cheaper in the long run and despite the multitude of short comings they reboot after a crash I have a few apple friends and they are always rebuilding their system. that's fine for geeks not so good for students. If your using it for photo editing I'm told nothing beats a mac.
485591
well first of all good luck in college.\nIt is recommended that you should get a lower line laptop because they are often easier to handle than the real hi level of laptops.\nsecond reason it is wise to use a simpler laptop because most laptops are the same.\nget a good processor and good amount of memory on the laptop\nas well as a 40-60 giga hard disk and that is fine for school. at home do the same for the desktop and you are set for moving files from one another. The desktop should be used for the heavier work do not put the laptop to hard work it will probably run out of gas. \nThe heavy work should be done on the desktop when she comes home.Get a big hard disk and a good processor as well as a good size memory and you are all set good luck
686591
you dont NEED a laptop for college. If someone breaks into your dorm room that will be the first thing gone. No one messes with desktops to hard to steal and harder to break. And "WINDOWS" isnt a type of laptop lol. Its a program. Try buying a dell desktop
1003389
The Apple MacBook could be the laptop your'e looking for. It may seem more expensive at first but it will last far longer for you as well as the lack of viruses, spyware, adware, trojans, etc. It also comes with a lot more applications and software than most windows-run laptops. I believe they're going to incorporate bootcamp soon so if you visit an apple store or something they can help you out with that as well. You can also get a 100 dollar student discount on the laptop through apple. The website below has all the specifications. any questions feel free to email me. I use both often and have a much easier time with the Macs as far as not having to do any maitenance for it.\n\nOh and it also comes with an application called Dashboard that Windows lacks. It's a program that has widgets and just a ton of  awesome stuff in general.
510292
if you want a small one, Dell 710m. It is only about 4-5lbs. fast, and reliable. good support.
1081705
Which ever Mac you choose, yes. I just graduated, and did the same research.  Especially if your campus has wireless access all over the campus. All of the best students that I knew had Mac's. You can go to the University website for info about computer requirements. You can also go to the Apple website for special discounts for students.
931327
Yeah, that computer is fine for what you are going to use it for.  I didn't see the specification on the size of the hard drive that comes with it.  Since you will be storing a lot of videos, you will want a lot of storage on your harddrive.  At least 30 gigabytes.  Just ask them when your going to purchase it and make sure that the hard drive is bigger than 30 gigabytes.
682044
20GB should be way more than enough, as Windows probably uses less than 2GB and those programs are probably 1GB total.  17GB for music, video and whatever else you want.
201855
My suggestion is to get an HP laptop and without any hesitation I would get one with a centrino process. Additionally if you are not going to be mobile you will appreciate a 17" wide screen. I would also consider 1GB of Ram and 100 GB hard drive. Good luck.\n\nI would also consider and AMD Turion processor.
355277
Now a days, quite a few computer companies are targetting college students as a potential market for their laptops. Companies like DELL have introdeced a whole dedicated range that meets this new breed of consumers. But what does one keep in mind to buy a good laptop for college purposes. Lets analyze.\n\nFirstly, one needs a laptop for email, browsing, making and submitting assignments etc. For this one would typically need a wireless LAN, a good processor (Probably a Centrino Duo), atleast a 256 MB RAM and a CD writer (preferably with a DVD Rom to watch those occasional DVDs in your room). A dedicated graphics card will be handy if one is also an occasional gamer, but it not really required for college purposes. \n\nBut most importantly one needs to buy from a company that provides very good after sales service. Laptops are more complex than desktops and spares are not easily available in the open market. This is where DELL beats most of its competetiors. With thie on site next business day service, one really doesnt need to bother running to the store etc.\n\nHowever, the choice of a laptop is pretty personal and individualistic. The above analysis will help one to make the right decision.
742499
I would look for something with at least a gigabite of ram. and a 120 gig hard drive.\nthat would be a great laptop.
468127
forget about dell! get a G5 Power Mac with dual 2.7 giga-hertz and 800gb of hard drive space!.. if you have $2,100. if not, get an iBook
418777
The age doesn't matter, it's the planned usage you will want to know.  What do they plan to use the computer for?  Web surfing, music, word processing, etc does not require a powerful system.  Gaming, digital imaging, conquering the world - these are what require power machines.  \n\nI would get them a decent, but budget, prebuilt system.  Preferrably an HP, Compaq, or EMachine (all HP basically since Compaq builds Emachines and HP owns Compaq).  They will come with a recovery partition that will reset the computer to the "out-of-box" setting should anything go wrong.  Some even allow you to keep software and personal files.  Much easier than reformatting, and quicker.\n\nGateway's are crap.  They gave me faulty RAM modules, then when I asked about the type (since it wasn't included in the documentation) they said I HAD to buy it from them to insure compatibility and it would be $184 for a 128MB stick.  I said I have something you can 'stick' somewhere.  Anyway, I went to Circuit City and got some RAM that works fine.  Turns out it was 128MB 100/66MHz RAM in their system.  Not sure about the other specifics.\n\nThat is my parents' computer BTW...they are mid-40s.  They need a new one, too - so while you're at it if you could pick up a decent Celeron-based PC or something for them. - j/k.
38831
Not a Dell. Anything but a Dell. Really all depends on what you are going to use it for. If you just use it to type and go on there interent then you reall dont need an expensive one. But if you are going to play games or download a lot of stuff then you will need to get more mem and hard drive space. I woud say for the person that does a lot on the computer you would need 512 of Mem and about 60 GB of hard drive. I would go with a Pentium M (Centrino if laptop). But if your not going to do that much on it I would go below those specs and save you some money. If you want to get a good deal on some good PC go to this web site. www.ubid.com. I got my laptop there for 800 and it is worth more then 1200. So good luck on finding a PC
967247
Go with the laptop.  It has just as much power as a desktop and is easier to maintain.  The mobility of a laptop is another plus.  You can use it as a CD and DVD player where ever you are.  They are easy to network and most colleges are wifi equipped so they can be used anywhere.  I have two laptops and a desktop and rarely use the desktop.
1117124
Software wise, being that you'll probably be connected to some sort of public network to use the internet, I recommend purchasing Norton Internet Security. It has both an anti-virus and firewall applications rolled into one package.  Connection to your college campus network is usually free and only takes a cable and some configurations which I'm sure the information your college will provide for you.\n\nAs far as laptop brands and prices, this is where research on your part will come into play. Prices will vary depending on what comes with the laptop so it all goes to how much you want to spend to get what quality and features you desire. Here's some personal tips on brands...\n\nDo not purchase HP, Compaq, or Gateway. Although they're the cheapest to buy, they're also the cheapest in quality. Built poorly and with many cheap components, you'll find problems with these brands for years to come.\n\nDell and Toshiba can be pricey for medium-grade laptops. They're not bad to have, but each come with their own problems. Toshiba has come down in quality over the years since the company has decided to keep the costs high and use cheaper parts. Dells are the same and have frequent hard drive failures although steadily their products are improving.\n\nThe best, and most expensive are Sony and IBM. Both are quality laptops to own, but with a price. Highly recommended if you want to spend the cash. IBMs, however, aren't the fanciest to look at but it depends if you want something for people to marvel at or quality in parts and product.