Staff Writer
The
laptop is the modern college student’s most important tool, and for this reason
it has become a large part of every student’s college expense. A
college-suitable laptop can cost upwards of $1,000, so it is important to buy a
laptop that is dependable, long-lasting, and powerful enough to perform any
necessary task.
Nobody
knows your college computing needs better than the college you will be
attending. Many colleges such as Appalachian State University, UNCC, UNCW, and
North Carolina State University have online stores where students can buy
laptops, speakers, tablets and more at a discounted price. The stores also
offer a range of protection plans to safeguard your investments. UNC Chapel
Hill even offers on campus repairs and loaner laptops for students purchasing a
computer through the university.
The
university stores offer a wide range of college-suitable laptops to choose
from, but it is up to you to choose the computer that best suits your needs.
Apple computers dominate a majority of the educational market, and with good
reason. Apple laptops are the only computers in the market to use the polished,
user-friendly OSX operating system that supports a wide range of high-quality
educational and productivity applications. Its unique operating system also
renders Apple computers immune to most of the viruses and malware that plague Windows-based
PCs. The downside is price. An Apple computer will cost $799.99 minimum, and
that is with a student discount.
If you
do choose to purchase a Windows-based computer, it is important to get the
greatest value possible for the money. Chromebooks are a special brand of
computers sponsored by Google that start at only $199. They have unimpressive
technical specifications despite being quality computers, but are perfect for
students who need only to run simple programs such as word processors and web
browsers.
For
students looking for a little more power, a variety of models are available
offering a lot of power for a little money. Key things to consider when looking
for a deal are the storage space available, the amount of memory (RAM), the
processor, and the size and quality of the screen.
·
Storage
space determines the number of documents, pictures, and programs that can be
installed on the computer.
·
The
amount of RAM on the computer determines how the computer will respond to
running multiple processes and large programs.
·
The
processor speed (in GHz) determines the complexity of programs that can be run
on the computer and how well the computer will respond to large programs
·
The
graphics card, screen resolution, and display size will determine the quality
of the images displayed on the computer. Powerful graphics cards are required
for programs such as video games where many images are drawn on the screen.
There
are so many laptops available through university stores and online retailers
that you are certain to find the one that’s right for you. Choose wisely.
Here
are some links to the university stores of some popular in-state colleges:
·
Appalachian
State University: http://bookstore.appstate.edu/appstore
·
UNC
Chapel Hill: http://cci.unc.edu/new-students/laptops/
·
UNCG:
http://its.uncg.edu/Laptop/
·
UNC
Asheville: https://its.unca.edu/student-personal-computers
·
Duke
University: http://www.dukestores.duke.edu/cpustore/
