Computersight -

How in the world do parents make a wise notebook computer purchasing decision for their college freshman student?  Just look at all the “brand” choices at any retail store: Acer, Apple, Asus, Gateway, Q2, Compaq, Lenovo, Samsung, Toshiba, and others; To confuse the issue, the majority of notebook computer price point selections fall between $500-$749 and $750-$999; The outliers are few in number ranging into the upper $2,000 range for an Apple Macbook Pro at the high end;  And to all the parents trying to navigate those foreign sounding acronyms such as RAM, ROM, DDR2, gigabytes, graphics, super drives, web cams, processors, DVD+RW Drive and the list goes on and on and on;  English words with foreign definitions; Buying a notebook computer is like trying to navigate a corn maze, at midnight, while wearing a blindfold.  So, just where is the starting line for this decision making process, you ask?  Well, there are a few simple guidelines to follow to ease the pain of trying to make the “right decision,” and they begin on the college campus. 

1.  Start by contacting the IT(Information Technology) Resource Department at the College or University your freshman student will be attending.  The College or University will offer minimum standards for notebook computer hardware, including the size of the hard drive, processor speed, size of Random Access Memory (RAM), graphics card, as well as other minimum specifications the institution requires.  Remember the minimum standards for the notebook computer will differ from the Tablet PC; Each preferred vendor’s equipment will have different minimum standards.

2.  Your student’s college or university may have preferred providers from which computer equipment may be purchased.  (Check with the IT Resource Department or Admissions Office)  Why is this important?  Hardware Warranty/Non-warranty Services are often offered on campus for these preferred provider’s equipment.  If your freshman student has an off-brand computer, having to send the computer away for three to four weeks waiting on a repair may not be a healthy option for the student’s academic career.

3.  Once you have the minimum specifications, you are now ready to begin the process of selecting a notebook computer or tablet pc for your student.  Before making that decision, you may want to check with the IT Resource Department to determine if the college or university has any policy decisions pending pertaining to the use of a specific type of computer hardware platform such as a notebook or laptop computer versus a tablet pc.  Compare prices of the computer you select between the preferred vendor and a retail outlet.  There may be other advantages to consider such as insurance on the computer, repair service on campus, etc. 

4.  Once you make  your decision and purchase the computer notebook, consider buying insurance that will cover damage and theft  to the computer.  You may be able to buy a seperate policy through your home owner’s insurance.  If you purchase the computer through a preferred University vendor, insurance may be offered for purchase to cover the computer for theft and damage.  Premiums are reasonable, with estimates ranging between $70 to $125 range per year, with no deductibles. 

5.  Congratulations! You are finished with the whole thing, right?  Not so fast.  There is just one more thing that you are encouraged to do.  Instill in your freshman student’s vocabulary the word “Back Up”!!!  It is paramount  to back up all important school information, work, research, research papers, class notes, and completed assignments.  If the notebook is stolen and the information has not been backed up to a portable external drive, all of the information will be lost.  Likewise, if the computer is damaged, the school information may not be able to be recovered if the hard drive is damaged.  Investing in an external portable drive is well worth the money and you can make this purchase with ease at most retail outlet stores. (estimates range between $75 to $150)  This will avoid the frantic late night call explaining to you that “it was just an accident that soda was spilled all over the computer’s keyboard.”

Taking the time to do just a little investigating with the college or university’s IT Resource Department or Admissions Office will save you both TIME and MONEY!!