<p>Also, can any current students share their opinions on whether it's best to order through the Vandy bookstore or try to find a better deal elsewhere? </p>
<p>My son has to get his computer through the engineering school so I am not sure about the competitiveness of the pricing through the Vandy bookstore, but I will tell you that usually the school-negotiated prices are better than going to the Dell site on your own. See if there is a link on the Vandy website to visit Dell.com (and the promo prices should be offered.) Then be sure to compare prices by going to Dell.com directly and pricing out the same computer. Also, try going to Dell.com and looking for the higher education link--those may yet have better prices and you can probably figure out how to get that price for your daughter if it is better. Just make sure the package offered by the bookstore has the features and programs you need.</p>
<p>When we bought my older's son's computer through Dell,Windows XP Professional was recommended for networking at the school. Probably best to get that over XP Home Edition. As for other software, you should get some form of Microsoft Office and a virus program, but I think you can download the virus program through Vanderbilt.<br>
I suggest you contact the ResNet department to learn about what is available through Vanderbilt. I am sure they will make recommendations on hardware and software needs as well.</p>
<p>For me I am in Engineering so I don't have to think about this issue. But I heard that in recently, there are some good dell coupons for desktop and/or laptop deal. It is usually about $750 off the original price. I have not looked on the Vandy bookstore deals but I think buying the computer with the coupon is a much better deal.</p>
<p>As your daughter is not in Engineering, she could buy anything she wants and don't have to care for compatiability from school. Just make sure there is a WIFI installed if she buys a laptop (or she can buy a PC card later on) to surf the net wirelessly.</p>
<p>And also you might want to include warranty for it if she is not a computer expert. It might come in handy during college.</p>
<p>Don't you think that the Engineering student's computer is outrageously high for a laptop?
I compared it with the same model in dell's site and it is priced about $1000 less.
I think $3000 for a laptop is crazy. And we have to pay for it!!</p>
<p>Yes, I thought the laptop price was high but then I realized that the $2850 includes the yearly engineering lab fee of $610 (which the upperclass engineers have to pay and we will pay in future years). That brings the price down to about $2240, which is still higher than some laptops. However, there are several math and engineering software programs installed which accounts for some of the difference (software can get expensive). Also, they have upgraded the engineering computer to an 80 GB hard drive, 1024 RAM (I believe), which is a lot faster than most of the laptops configured on the website, and have added a 4-year onsite warranty. If you configure a laptop with all those extra options and price it out, it comes close. I figure the difference is in the additional software and also the extra technical support through Vanderbilt that is guaranteed. Also, don't forget it would include taxes, shipping, etc. which you need to add on if ordering on your own.</p>
<p>I know--we don't have much choice but I am glad I realized about the engineering lab fee being included. That made me feel better! A couple of years ago we purchased an Inspirion for my older son through the educational Dell website and it ran about $1880 after significant discounts. It didn't have XP Professional or a wireless card, and it is bigger and clunkier than the Latitude. So, all in all, I guess it doesn't sound that much out of line.</p>
<p>i got the dell inspiron 9300 with XP Professional and a 12-cell battery and I love it. It came loaded with McAfee Antivirus/Antispyware and I love the 17" screen. I also got the port replicator, i think it's called, so it's easier to plug in speakers, keyboard, and mouse. </p>
<p>It was quite a journey to find the right laptop, so I wish you all good luck!</p>