<p>You can also work this summer to earn enough to buy a used computer or an entry-level desktop. Dell has them for around $300 which should equate to about a week and a half at minimum wage. If you work an extra week and a half you could buy an entry-level laptop (or just buy a used one for much less).</p>
<p>Most schools don't require a laptop - you can use the computers in the labs, libraries, etc. Some schools also let you check-out laptops from the library but this will vary from school to school and I don't know how long they let you keep them.</p>