Student Laptops Buying
Guide (Part 3)
A great budget advantage that
students have over common non-student consumers is the ability to buy laptop computers at a great cost
savings. All campuses have a computer store or campus bookstore where students can buy laptops at heavy
discounted prices -- sometimes at rare unheard-of savings like 25% percent off retail. Savings will vary a
lot from state to state and campus to campus.
Cool Tip: Being a
student also entitles one to discounted savings on software programs from many companies, so always mention that
you are a student. When shopping for a laptop computer always keep in mind that you are entitled to a
discounted price -- if the retailer will not offer you one then shop elsewhere. Remember, your money is tight so
shop smartly and wisely.
There has never been a better time to purchase a laptop computer for school, with prices dropping
to all-time lows. News headlines have been rampant lately with major computer companies expressing a
desire in bringing to market $500.00 performance laptops. This can certainly be seen as indicative to
the consumer market cry for a quality laptop at an inexpensive price. So, if you are a student looking
for a laptop, open the door to computer portability and get out of your dorm room. Go pick yourself up a
good inexpensive portable wireless laptop computer soon! The timing has never been better, so just go
for it!
The following two (2) table charts show what
specifications some schools recommend for a student laptop purchase. Important that you realize these should only
be used as a general guideline. It is always in your best interest to check with your school IT department, to
determine what specifications your school recommends. Recommendation guidelines do vary between
schools.
Normal Size Weight 5 kilo grams or less Laptop/Notebook Systems
Specifications
| Laptop OS Type |
Windows OS |
MAC OS |
| Processor |
Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2 GHz) |
Core 2 Duo T8300 (2.4 GHz) |
| Memory (RAM) |
2.0 GB |
2.0 GB |
| Storage |
120 GB/7200 RPM
or 160 GB/5400 RPM |
200 GB/7200 RPM
or 250 GB/5400 RPM |
| Display & Video Card RAM |
14.1-inch to 15.4-inch WXGA
128 MB or 256 MB discrete video card |
15.4-inch widescreen
256 MB or 512 MB discrete video card |
| DVD Drive and Bluetooth |
DVD±R/CD-RW drive
internal Bluetooth |
DVD±R/CD-RW drive
internal Bluetooth |
| High-Speed Network Connectivity |
Internal 10/100/1000 BaseT Ethernet
Internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi) |
Internal 10/100/1000 BaseT Ethernet
Internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi) |
| Low-Speed Network Connectivity |
internal V.92 modem |
internal V.92 modem |
|
Operating System
|
Windows XP Service Pack 2
or Windows Vista |
MAC OS 10.5.x |
| Estimated Price |
$1,500 - $1,800 |
$2,000 - $2,300 |
Low End Budget Size Weight 5 kilo grams or less Laptop/Notebook Systems
Specifications
| Laptop OS Type |
Windows OS |
MAC OS |
| Processor |
Core 2 Duo T7100 (1.8 GHz) |
Core 2 Duo T7200 (2.0 GHz) |
| Memory (RAM) |
1.5 GB |
1.5 GB |
| Storage |
80 GB |
80 GB |
| Display & Video Card RAM |
12-inch to 15.4-inch XGA or WXGA
integrated video |
13.3-inch widescreen
integrated video |
| DVD Drive and Bluetooth |
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive |
CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive
internal Bluetooth |
| High-Speed Network Connectivity |
Internal 10/100/1000 BaseT Ethernet
Internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi) |
Internal 10/100/1000 BaseT Ethernet
Internal 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi) |
| Low-Speed Network Connectivity |
internal V.92 modem |
internal V.92 modem |
|
Operating System
|
Windows XP Service Pack 2
or Windows Vista |
MAC OS 10.5.x |
| Estimated Price |
$700 - $1,200 |
$1,200 - $1,350 |
Quote Of The Day: School is where life starts! Life is
where school starts!

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