Technology13 mins ago
LapTop Purchase
3 Answers
My daughter goes off to uni in September and will need a lap top. What key functionality should I be looking for in a laptop? It would be useful for her to be able to use it wirelessly, although there may be a connection in her room. It will probably be useful to have a plug in mouse as well as I think this makes use easier. Any advice would be welcome on memory, how to go wireless etc. Thanks
Answers
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Any laptop you buy from any high street store today will be wifi enabled, so it will connect wirelessly, and have at least two USB ports so a mouse can be plugged in.
What does she want to do with the laptop? If it is just for internet, word processing, playing cds and dvds a �400 laptop will be more than adequate.
If she is a graphic designer, video editor or plays very high tec games, she will need a laptop with higher spec.
She needs to consider size. If it is going to be used mainly on a desk without being carried around too often - a large screen will be fine. Mine is 15.4" and plenty big enough.
If she wants to carry it around a lot, a smaller lighter one will be better.
If she is doing any sort of high spec design, then the biggest you can find would be good.
In my opinion this is an excellent buy:
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.200-5446.aspx
What does she want to do with the laptop? If it is just for internet, word processing, playing cds and dvds a �400 laptop will be more than adequate.
If she is a graphic designer, video editor or plays very high tec games, she will need a laptop with higher spec.
She needs to consider size. If it is going to be used mainly on a desk without being carried around too often - a large screen will be fine. Mine is 15.4" and plenty big enough.
If she wants to carry it around a lot, a smaller lighter one will be better.
If she is doing any sort of high spec design, then the biggest you can find would be good.
In my opinion this is an excellent buy:
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.200-5446.aspx
What subject is she doing?
I agree with what Ethel's saying.
If she's just going to be writing essays on it and browsing the internet and checking email, then pretty much any laptop these days will be fine.
Try and get one with 1GB RAM
Get one with the most hard drive space you can find. You will fill it eventually!
Try your very best to get XP and not Vista. This is especially important on networks because they're geared up for XP and if she needs support from the IT staff there they'll be more familiar with XP.
Plug-in mice: this can be bought separately for under �10 and will fit any laptop you buy.
Wireless: 90% or above of laptops now are wireless.
I agree with what Ethel's saying.
If she's just going to be writing essays on it and browsing the internet and checking email, then pretty much any laptop these days will be fine.
Try and get one with 1GB RAM
Get one with the most hard drive space you can find. You will fill it eventually!
Try your very best to get XP and not Vista. This is especially important on networks because they're geared up for XP and if she needs support from the IT staff there they'll be more familiar with XP.
Plug-in mice: this can be bought separately for under �10 and will fit any laptop you buy.
Wireless: 90% or above of laptops now are wireless.
The first thing is what subject she's doing ... if it is graphic design or just for top end games ... don't get a laptop.
if its video - get advice from the uni (they will probably have a "tame" provider who will give discount)
Otherwise do get a laptop ... but beware many of the budget ones still DON't have wireless -
If you already know where she's going - contact the uni -
if she stays in halls ... she will probably have a wire connection in her room.
If she's staying out in digs ... often the whole house shares a connection ... so wireless will be useful then
A budget PC without wireles + a wireless adapter of the same brand as the router or wap she'll be using is less likely to cause problems (and may be cheaper in the long run.
Buy her a machine with Vista Home Premium a USB Hub + TV dongle some reasonable speakers .... and you have an entertainment centre as well.
finally GET IT ALL INSURED - halls and digs are both targets ....
A good Idea is to get a couple of memory keys and/or a CD/DVD writer and persuade her to back up her work regularly and to keep a copy somewhere else.
If burglers strike they often just empty everything into a suitcase - and CDs and memory sticks are small enough to be included
if its video - get advice from the uni (they will probably have a "tame" provider who will give discount)
Otherwise do get a laptop ... but beware many of the budget ones still DON't have wireless -
If you already know where she's going - contact the uni -
if she stays in halls ... she will probably have a wire connection in her room.
If she's staying out in digs ... often the whole house shares a connection ... so wireless will be useful then
A budget PC without wireles + a wireless adapter of the same brand as the router or wap she'll be using is less likely to cause problems (and may be cheaper in the long run.
Buy her a machine with Vista Home Premium a USB Hub + TV dongle some reasonable speakers .... and you have an entertainment centre as well.
finally GET IT ALL INSURED - halls and digs are both targets ....
A good Idea is to get a couple of memory keys and/or a CD/DVD writer and persuade her to back up her work regularly and to keep a copy somewhere else.
If burglers strike they often just empty everything into a suitcase - and CDs and memory sticks are small enough to be included
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