<p>I just calculated everything and after paying for everything(tuition, room, meal plan, books) for my first semester I could have about $412 left over. I will probably have a little more than that due to the fact I probably won't spend $1000 on books. </p>
<p>Either way I won't have enough for the laptop I want. It is going to cost me around $1700. So the question is should I take out a loan for the laptop or is there an easier way of going about it?</p>
<p>Sorry I meant "accept" in my title. I have no idea what happened when I wrote that.</p>
<p>How about a summer job???? :)</p>
<p>Working on that as well. Waiting to see if I get a call back from a company I put an application through this previous monday. Im hoping I get it because if I do, not only will I have enough money to pay for the laptop but actually have a interesting summer(its working at a summer-camp for kids).</p>
<p>Is it really worth taking out a loan for a computer? Is there a compelling reason you want a top-of-the-line laptop? I understand why you would want a decent computer, but $1700 seems a little over-the-top especially if you would have to take out a loan to do it. Unless you are doing tons and tons of CAD or video editing (as in professionally), you can most likely make do with a cheap laptop and utilize the computer labs on campus for anything really intensive. I got a steal on mine (<$550) and was surprised at how well it ran.</p>
<p>Just a couple buying tips (unless you fall into the professional category):
1. Upgrade RAM yourself (or hire a friend to do it).
2. Downgrade the processor - you probably wont notice the difference unless you have a side-by-side test.
3. Shop around - I ended up getting a Dell through the Dell University site for under 550. It has a top-of-the-line AMD chip ( =midrange Intel), 1gb memory (probably will upgrade eventually), vista premium (probably will upgrade to ultimate when I can get it for free from school), no office suite (will get for free from school), 60gb hdd (kinda small, but not that bad if you use space wisely), 5.5 hour battery, etc. If you find a good deal, jump on it. <a href="http://www.slickdeals.net%5B/url%5D">www.slickdeals.net</a> is a good place to find good deals on stuff.</p>
<p>If you are planning to but a computer online do a search for online coupons. When we were buying my Ds computer we found a coupon for $750 ( 2 years ago - I have not found one this high recently - the max I can find is $500) for a Dell laptop - the laptop had to cost $1900 (pre coupon) to use the coupon so we got some major upgrades on memory etc. If you are looking at Dell google 'Dell coupons'. If you find a good coupon make sure you enter the coupon no. when you are about to check out and check that the price goes down (if it is an eligible purchase the coupon will be substituted for whatever the current Dell Discount is). We are currently looking into buying another computer and can generally save a couple of hundred $s on a Dell by using the coupons.</p>
<p>I say go for it, treat yourself.</p>
<p>A LAPTOP????I couldn't think of a worse reason to take out a loan....unless you were offered a once in a lifetime real estate opportunity, or were going to provide assistance in helping the Crown Prince of Nigeria (exiled) move his assets to a US Bank.</p>
<p>Shop for one you can afford, or wait until you have the greenbacks to afford it.</p>
<p>well not everybody has a computer and I would say a computer is a much more solid investment than even the text books.</p>
<p>laptop are not needed, and i've taken almost all type of classes, laptop is NOT needed, and a 1500+ dollars laptop is a waste, so NO.</p>
<p>who says its for class. How could you wite your essays and other things without a computer. I know kids who dont have computers and always need to go to public labs, they hate it.</p>
<p>most people don't have laptop but they have desktop, and i'm saying most because there's always someone who don't, but i think 99%+ do, desktop are alot cheaper and better for typing up paper.</p>
<p>if only 65% of Americans own there own computer, how could 99% be garenteed to have a desktop.</p>
<p>Sometimes, a loan is your only option.</p>
<p>I agree that a computer is necessary. However, a $1700 one is not. Taking out a loan is probably just about the worst idea possible. Just find something cheap with at least 1gb of ram. You should be able to find a laptop for about $500 (or a desktop for about $300).</p>
<p>I know that last year my daughter got a very nice laptop that she loves for around $900 -- and that was spending around $200 more than she had to for extra memory & power beyond whatever was the more minimalist alternative. It's a great, feature-rich computer -- so I'd say shop around. </p>
<p>I don't see any problem with financing a purchase of a computer, but buying a top of the line model is really not the way to go when money is tight.</p>
<p>Calmom, what type did you get?</p>