Laptop Use

Parents Forum
21

<p>IMHO, the extra cost for Dell's "Complete Care", covering screen breakage etc., is well worth it for a college student. I can personally attest to the fact that screens do break, especially when computers are dropped (have broken two on work machines over the years), and with students in college, breakage could happen. </p>

<p>I also forgot to mention that purchasing a brand that is supported by the college can also pay dividends. You can frequently get "factory" service done at the school, saving a lot of $$$ (not to mention time) on warranty. </p>

<p>You might also want to look at the standard configs the school sells. Some colleges have very good pricing.</p>

22

<p>
[quote]
I also forgot to mention that purchasing a brand that is supported by the college can also pay dividends.

[/quote]
This is a huge point. Take it very seriously.</p>

23

<p>Do smaller schools "support" certain brands - or just the larger universities?</p>

24

<p>well
Reed can perform factory warranty repairs on Apple products but I believe that PC owners are SOL.
They will provide limited software support for Windows however and they will help you find local shops that will do the repairs</p>

25

<p>Weenie, check your college's bookstore, they're the ones who usually sell the computers. Colgate which is pretty small services and repairs the Dells and Apples they sell (and I'm betting if a laptop under Dell's 3 yr onsite next day warranty goes down, the tech will be from the bookstore)</p>

26

<p>S has a relatively heavy, larger screen. Does faze him. He does move it to work in the library. Being a history major he has a lot of papers and finds this convenient. Does seem to mind the weight, sticks it in his backpack and rides over on his bike. He doesn't bring it to class. D opted for a lighter weight but anticipates using it in the same way. S wanted the large screen to watch DVD's since he doesn't have a TV.</p>

27

<p>my laptop weighs about 6.5 lbs (maybe closer to 7). i took it to my thursday night class occasionally, and i also took it to the library a few times a week to do work.. as well as to sparts den (this place where kids hang out on campus) to do work there.. i also took it to friends apartments to work on things every now and then. i didn't mind the weight of it.</p>

28

<p>Best solution to a heavy laptop? A roller bag. I have one because I have to haul mine (which is relatively light) through too many airports.</p>

29

<p>I'd strongly advise paying extra for a three-year warranty for whatever laptop you use. The Gateway we bought for my D broke down completely at the end of her sophomore year and needed its keyboard, cover, and hard drive replaced. Without the extended plan it would have been out of warranty by that time and we would have had no choice but to buy a new machine.</p>