<p>Also keep in mind that your kid probably doesn’t need a top-of-the-line laptop. If your student just needs to use a word processor and the internet, he or she will probably be happier with a new $500 laptop every two years than a $1000 laptop right now - batteries stop holding a charge, parts break, and there’s always new and better technology coming out. If your kid is going to be doing anything super computationally-intensive (like running Solidworks or even writing large coding projects), you’re better off with a cheap laptop and a high-powered desktop.</p>
<p>I personally hate netbooks - the keyboards are too cramped for my liking. You’re not going to get a full keyboard on anything smaller than 14" (maybe the 13" Macs have a full keyboard), and I really hate switching between the tiny netbook keyboard and the regular keyboard that I have to use in one of my CS labs.</p>
<p>tl;dr your student is unlikely to use all the processing power of an expensive, high-powered laptop. Consider saving money and buying them a new one in two years instead.</p>
<p>Actually, your kids’ computer requirements will depend on what the kiddo plans to use the machine for. Some fields (engineering, graphics heavy cinema & art) may need a higher end video card & more power than some of others.</p>
<p>My post also. The bottom line- check with the school for their recommendations. See which brands their comp sci people will fix under warranty et al.</p>
<p>I have used both HP and Dell at work. Dell is much better than HP. HP is crap. My daughter has Mac and has been experiencing some keyboard problem.</p>
<p>Do you think it’s very important to go with the package sold/recommended by the school (for in-school repair/warranty) or does it not really matter that much?</p>
<p>Trying to decide whether to wait and go with the school purchase program or go ahead and start shopping for the laptop now.</p>
<p>VAMom,
We are going to go with one from the university. It has a 4 year warranty that covers accidents, replacement battery, and a loaner if it needs service. When they are at home generally there is a family computer to use while one is off being serviced, at college they are on their own.</p>
<p>If you are thinking about getting a Mac, wait until June when they seem to always have a promotion (buy a Mac computer, get an iTouch for free). Also, use the educational discount. </p>
<p>And I’l repeat what someone else said upthread – some schools have amazing deals on software.</p>
<p>Thanks BlueI–That’s what I was thinking. We plan to give DS the laptop as his grad gift, but it will probably be a card telling him we will purchase it. He has a desk computer but I don’t think that will be leaving home!</p>
<p>I formally used a Toshiba and never had a problem. Now I use a Mac and I love it.</p>
<p>If you can, go for the mac. It’s hard drive can be partitioned for both apple and windows, but, if you have to, you can buy microsoft for mac (I have this).</p>
<p>Personally, I recommend getting a Macbook if your child is not confined to get a PC because of their major. I have had my own Macbook for quite a while and it has never broken on me while I have had friends whose new PC’s have broken down quite quickly throughout the year while my Macbook has been going strong for 3 years now. While Macs are expensive, I believe that they are worth the investment since you will be making an investment of $1000 over several years rather than $400 every single year.</p>