Notebook Computer for College Student

[Mikey]

My little girl is graduating from HS next week and I want to get her a computer as a graduation gift, for her to use next year in college. Any ideas on what's important?

I've put together a 15.4" Dell system that has a 1.83 GHz Intel Core DUO, 1 mb RAM, 120 GB HD, integrated wireless, expansion dock with wireless kb and mouse, upgraded 9 cell lithium battery, MS Office, plus a premium service and warranty bundle that includes anti virus and spyware, 3 year accidental damage coverage and 3 year notebook lojack. I'm holding off on a separate monitor until I find out if she has room for one and needs it.

Am I missing anything?

[BSmack]

My little girl is graduating from HS next week and I want to get her a computer as a graduation gift, for her to use next year in college. Any ideas on what's important?

I've put together a 15.4" Dell system that has a 1.83 GHz Intel Core DUO, 1 mb RAM, 120 GB HD, integrated wireless, expansion dock with wireless kb and mouse, upgraded 9 cell lithium battery, MS Office, plus a premium service and warranty bundle that includes anti virus and spyware, 3 year accidental damage coverage and 3 year notebook lojack. I'm holding off on a separate monitor until I find out if she has room for one and needs it.

Am I missing anything?

You might want to upgrade the RAM to something used in this century. ;)

But seriously, that isn't a bad setup. Though if I were your kid I'd be pushing for at least a 19 inch widescreen monitor for the dorm room.

[Mikey]

I said MB didn't I?



I was thinking of upgrading to 2 GB but the notebook I use at work only has 1 GB, and it performs just fine. This is for school. I upgraded the sound and display cards but if she wants multimedia power she can get a job and buy her own.

[Screw_Michigan]

2 gigs just means more porn and music. by the time her freshman year is over, she'll be crying to you how her computer is spyware infested and her HD is maxed out.

btw, don't spend $2k on a cpu. i learned the hard way.

[ElTaco]

College girls just want something that works. I doubt she will be looking at that much porn per say and she will probably not be doing much with gaming. On the other hand her illegal MP3 collection and TV shows and movies will be a huge drain on her Hard drive.
You should check with her college that she is starting with to make sure they don't have any requirements. some schools, usually the ones more technical in nature have specific requirements. For example some schools require Tablet PCs, some laptops while others just require a PC.
I wouldn't get her anything over 15.4 inchers since she will have to possibly take it to class. You can always buy her an LCD screen she can hook her laptop to. You may also want to get her an additional power cord, one for her dorm room/apartment and one to carry to class.
MS Office sadly is a must and you will want to make sure she has a version that comes with Power Point for class presentations.
The Lojack thing is bs, but the accidental coverage and warranty is a must.

[Mikey]

Why do you say that Lojack is bs? I haven't read the details, but doesn't it replace your computer if it gets stolen?

Oh...I just read their website. If they don't recover the computer they only refund the software purchase price. Not such a great deal but still better than nothing. It's part of a package deal with the other service and warranty options from Dell.

[PSUFAN]

1.83 GHz Intel Core DUO

By all means, just make sure you're not getting a Celeron. They are juggling these terms like hotcakes. Processor speed and type is the main consideration in a new PC purchase. If you get a Celeron, or whatever they're calling the secondary grade processor these days, you'll regret it.