Connor would like some assistance choosing a laptop for his daughter who is attending a four year university. I am frequently asked to assist families choose the right computer for their son or daughter to take with them to college. With some basic knowledge of the student and their major it can be a fairly straight forward task to choose a good system.
Most colleges have a list of either preferred laptops or minimal specifications of the system they would like to see their students purchase. Some colleges may also dictate the laptop manufacturer and model number they require prior to enrollment. Colleges and universities suggest certain laptops based on the training their on-campus technologists have learned. If a student has a problem with a laptop not on the suggested list then they may be forced to have it serviced off-campus. This could lead to the student not having the machine for an extended period.
Students living away from home are a strange breed. Chances are, the laptop they take with them won’t just serve as a word processor. Their laptops will be used as a television, radio, gaming console, MP3 player, etc. This is their primary means of entertainment as well as an educational tool. For many students, laptops are used more than any other piece of equipment they take with them.
You are always better choosing your own laptop then using one the school suggests. Picking your own computer allows you to do a couple things. First, you can pick the machine that fits the student best. Second, you can pick options that best fit the student’s major and anticipated needs outside of school.
As a general rule I always tell people to pick a reasonable processor and to make sure the screen size and keyboard fit the student. The processor generally can’t be changed easily after the sale. Students will be using the machine for four or more years so it has to be comfortable for them. Memory can always be added later and may cost more to upgrade with the initial sale.
Warranties are funny business and should be looked at carefully. There are only a few warranties worth their weight; all the others are worthless. I suggest reading the warranty contract and talking to the salesperson to insure the warranty covers accidental damage. If it doesn’t then I would avoid the extra cost.
Choosing a laptop can be a daunting task for parents and students alike. One of the most difficult things is anticipating future needs of the student. You’re better off spending a little more for a better machine up front. Good luck picking the right laptop.
Samantha has a follow-up question regarding my article on wireless security. She asks, “How can I monitor what computers are connected to my network?” There are a few easy methods of checking computers connected to your wireless network. The most sure method is directly through the router control panel.
Most routers have a feature which allows you to monitor connected devices as well as the data sent over the network. To access this feature you should consult your owner’s manual for the router. In most cases, you can simply enable the logging feature and login occasionally to witness the connections.
Alternatively, you can purchase software to monitor the traffic across the network and provide reports about the connected systems and exactly what they are doing over the network. No matter what you choose to deploy, it can be a daunting task to determine who is actually connected to your network. Your best bet is to simply enable a high level of security and move forward with life.
Tip of the week: Be leery of websites that ask for too much personal information.
(Jeromy Patriquin is the President of Laptop & Computer Repair, Inc. located at 509 Main St. in Gardner. You can e-mail him at Jeromy@LocalComputerWiz.com or call him directly at (978) 919-8059.)