When making the decision to purchase a laptop for college one of the first things you will want to consider is the laptop's size and weight. Too many students buy a laptop thinking they will be carrying it from class-to-class only to find after a couple days that the thing is just too heavy to carry around all the time. So, when you're looking for a laptop take a few moments to consider how much the laptop weighs and how big it is. Many students are considering buying a combination of a desktop to act as a stationary unit and a small netbook book computer to be their portable computer.
Power Considerations
Some price conscious students might go for the value laptop trying to save a few dollars, but when purchasing of a laptop, the best advice is to take the long view. Bargain basement laptops may save you a few dollars this year, but in a year or two, you may find you have a computer that slogs through running the latest version of your essential software. You need to think two to three years out about the processor power demands you may encounter.
Mac vs PC
The competition is on between PC manufacturers and Apple for the hearts and minds of college students. While some will argue that one is better than the other, the real choice might be determined by the college program you enter. Some programs actually preference one computer type over another. Some art programs actually prefer students have Macintosh computers while some business schools would prefer students use a PC. Checking these preferences before you making your purchase is a good idea.
Don't Forget the Software
Buying the laptop is only the beginning of the process. You need to also purchase the software you will need to do your work. Many colleges have deeply discounted software agreements with companies like Microsoft and Adobe and pass these discounts on to students. It's best to check with your campus prior to purchasing any basic software to see if they have a discount software program.
Buying a laptop is like making a new best friend. Take your time and make a careful purchase because you will be sharing a lot of your college years with your laptop.