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southern MN | Many schools require a certain computer package you buy from them (for consistancy - they can upgrade, upload, and fix everything to work easily from their side of the issue) and 'here' they charge about 30-50% more because you have no option - surprised to hear some schools offer a good deal on such packages!
Others have specific requirements the laptop must meet - speed, size, software packages. But you can bring your own.
Others have no set requirements at all.
Be sure you know which group you will fall into.
Big scree is not important to 18 year olds, unless she is going into graphics type of work - Photoshop, etc. A 15.4 inch screen is standard, a 13 inch is easier to carry around (harder for us old folk to read tho not to an 18 year old). A 17 inch is a beast & wouldn't want it unless I need it.
Touch screen is a rare thing, unless you have a real need for it. Wouldn't bother. If you don't know you need it, don't bother.
You want better than 'cheapest' memory - 2 gig is good, 4 is awesome. Don't get just 1 gig.
You want a 'better' processor - one that is not a 'Celron' or other short-changed processor. The cheapest processor often is stripped down - doesn't have extra math processor, or little areas to hold & store data for _rapid_ access - all these little features make a _world_ of difference in the actual speed of the computer doing things. You don't want this cheapest, stripped down processor - spend $50 to get the next better one. It might be the same exact speed, but the computer will be worlds faster with the better processor.
You don't care so much about minor speed imrovements of the processor - a 2.6 speed is not really noticable over a 2.2 or 2.4 speed. The paragraph above is _more_ important to overall speed of the computer.
Bigger hard drives are imoprtant for folks who are into video, or the graphics programs - Photoshop work & the like. A faster spinning hard drive will make a faster computer. But, often the basic hard drive is plenty good enough.
Typically a basic laptop, low end, with a processor upgraded to a better processor (not so much faster, but with all the internal caches & options) and upgraded to at least 2 gig memory is a very good starter computer. You can get these for $500 or so.
If so inclined to own a Mac, their laptops are real good machines.
If you are worried about what the school requires, and what will be needed a year from now, etc. etc but still want to get her something, those 'air book' or stripped down network computers with the smalll screen & internet accessability & basic word processor & music can be a good deal for $300, give her something to work with & find out what is needed down the road.
Couple options.
--->Paul | |
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Which laptop would you buy a high school grad?
