We give you the ten top tips for finding that perfect desktop or laptop for your schooling needs.
The return to the school year is often fraught with various decisions to make. One of the most important is what kind of PC you should get, particularly if you're off to college. We give you the ten top tips for finding that perfect desktop or laptop for your schooling needs.
1. Desktop, notebook, or tablet? If you like to type notes in class or work on papers in the library (or the quad), choose a notebook. Tablets work well in classrooms because the writing is noiseless, and if the professor draws diagrams, you can too. If you'd rather have high performance or a larger screen over portability, and cost is a top priority, choose a desktop.
2. Picking the right processor. For a desktop system, you don't necessarily need the fastest processor. A 1.6 or 1.7GHz processor is fine for writing papers and surfing the Internet. To help with better multitasking or multimedia tasks, go with a dual-core or better yet, a quad/six-core CPU, such as the Intel Core i5, i7, or the AMD Phenom II X4 or X6.
When picking a laptop, look for a mobile processor that's strong but won't run down your laptop battery too fast. A dual core Intel Core i3 or Core i5 processor will usually does the trick, but you should also pair it with a decently sized battery. Research the battery life. Not all systems fare the same even with the same processor; battery lives vary from 3 to 7 hours.
3. How far to go with graphics. If your schoolwork is basic word processing, spreadsheets, Web surfing, and e-mail, then an integrated graphics chip will suffice. If you do 3D rendering or have a yen to do digital-editing, steer clear of integrated graphics and get the best graphics card you can afford. If you're into gaming, a graphics card can make or break a winning streak. If you're a middle-of-the-road gamer, go with cards like the ATI Radeon 5850 or the Nvidia GeForce GTX 460 for desktops and the ATI Mobility Radeon 5000 series or the Nvidia GeForce 300M Series for laptops. Toshiba PA3641U-1BRS battery
4. Hard drives (where size and speed matters). Get a big hard drive—500GB minimum on a desktop and 320GB for a laptop—if you're tackling Video Editing 101 and hope to graduate with Spielberg honors. Look for systems with an eSATA port, which can take storage beyond the included drive and not be hampered by USB speeds. USB 3.0 is a new interface standard that's faster (with the right port), plus it's backwards compatible with USB 2.0.
5. Upgrade to 4GB of memory. Even the most affordable systems come standard with 4GB of memory (1GB for netbooks). It's the least expensive way to squeeze the best performance from your system. We recommend upgrading to at least 2GB on a netbook, and if a bigger laptop doesn't have 4GB, then you should look elsewhere. The additional cost of upgrading is minimal, and the performance boost you get in return is definitely worth the money.
6. The importance of being wireless. All laptops today have wireless capability, some more than others. Wi-Fi is the most common wireless method, and most campuses have wireless 802.11 networks in place. Some schools will even allow you to setup your own router in your dorm room, in case you want a stronger signal. Laptops that offer 3G connectivity are growing in numbers, though monthly plans are still rather expensive. But being connected to the internet at all times is a luxury, especially during long train or bus commutes to class.
7. DVD burner or bust. Don't settle for anything less than an optical drive (or drives, if you're getting a desktop) that burns and reads dual=layer DVDs. Nearly all desktops now come with dual-layer DVD+/-RW drives that can write to optical discs that hold up to 7.95GB of data. BlurRay drives are coming down in price, and you can find one in a laptop or desktop without going over budget. With it, you enjoy all the latest flicks in full 1080p glory. Of course, buying a laptop without an optical is not a bad idea if you rarely use one. You'll have more room in your backpack for textbooks or gym clothes.
8. Easy on the eyes. Consider a 24-inch LCD monitor for your desktop; it's a good-size display that will still save space on your tiny dorm room desk. Bigger can still be better: If you have the room, 27-inch LCDs are the new big monitors on campus. Regardless, look for true 1080p or 1,920 by 1,080 resolution, so you can watch online videos and Blu-ray in full 1080p HD.
On a laptop, you want a screen that won't make you squint halfway through your midterm paper but isn't so huge that it weighs down the system. Laptop screens add weight and rob battery life as they go up in size. The key is a balance between screen size and portability; 13- to 15-inch screens seem to achieve this best.
9. Windows 7? Most people will choose between different versions of Windows 7 if they're buying a brand new desktop or laptop this year. The version of Windows 7 hinges on what type of laptop you buy: A mainstream laptop or desktop will more often than not have Windows 7 Home Premium, whereas a netbook will ship with Windows 7 Starter Edition. The differences between the two are minor at best, with Starter Edition lacking some visual eye-candy, tools like Media Center and Mobile Center, and placing a 2GB maximum on system memory. Other Windows 7 versions like Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate are tailored to more sophisticated users, like business professionals. A 64-bit version of Windows 7 will allow your PC to address system memory beyond 3GB, which is why the Starter Edition is capped at 32-bits.
10. Know your Warranty. Almost every desktop or laptop is backed by at least a 1-year complimentary parts and labor warranty (Systems bought from a retailer like Costco actually come with a 2-year warranty). Extended warranties are also available, but that depends on who you are as a user. The standard warranty doesn't cover accidents that stem from a spilled drink, a little brother that rips off a button, or a drop on a hard surface. Most vendors sell accident coverage as a separate plan, on top of extended warranties that work on top of a standard one, so you might end up spending close to $300 for three years of coverage. Apple offers a maximum 3-year extended warranty ($250), while most Windows-based desktop and laptop vendors will offer up to 4 years. Toshiba PA3636U-1BRL battery
Our rule of thumb is that if the warranty costs more than 15 percent of the total laptop price, you're better off spending the money on backup drives or services that minimize downtime in case something does go awry. Of course, you can't put a price tag on peace of mind. There are instances when the logic board or the display—the most expensive pieces of a laptop—fail, and while rare, that can cost you half of what the laptop is worth. Faulty components usually break down during the first year; anything after that is probably your fault.
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