<p>Remember Moore’s law (I know, it’s supposed to be for computer chips. It applies on a more general level to full computers also.) - one and a half years from now, you can get a laptop that is half the size and twice as powerful for half as much as if you bought it today.</p>
<p>You can buy a cheap netbook right now that will last you a year, then buy the long term laptop when you’re ready to go to college and it’s guaranteed to be better than if you bought it now.</p>