Laptop recommendations for college
 

Any laptop/printer recommendations for college students?

A friend of mine sponsors a young lady through Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She will be attending college next fall, and her "Big Sister" is raising money to purchase a laptop and printer for her. She hasn't settled on a model yet, and I told her I'd ask around.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

ETA: And if you'd like to donate to the cause, here's the link. ;) Not sure she will be going through recruitment, but I've asked!

I like my Toshiba Satellite. It's gotten kinda ornery in the last month or so, but most laptops do after about 4 years.

I'd check with the school first. Some schools issue computers to the students or have special pricing available for computers and/or software. As far as printers go, before making a purchase, again, I'd check and see what the school has in terms of access to printers. It might be hundreds of dollars cheaper in an academic career to simply print off anything which needs to be printed at the computer lab, and the need for that is probably declining anyhow as many professors will allow her to submit assignments in electronic form.

I'd stick with PC over Mac unless the school says otherwise just to avoid compatibility issues. My law school used a piece of software for final exams which allowed us to type our finals (very helpful for me since I type around 75WPM).

She should also buy as powerful a computer as she can afford because it'll be limping along 4-5 years from now when she ends her academic career.

I second what Kevin says about checking with the school first. I know that Clemson offers discounted laptop purchases if you go through the school and strongly discourages buying laptops that are not school-approved. There's some kind of Mac (I don't remember which one) that they list as WE CANNOT HELP YOU IF YOU BUY THIS AND IT BREAKS. School laptops can also come with Windows and its associated programs predownloaded on it.

As for printers I know printing is quite plentiful and cheap here at Clemson, but I can't speak for other schools. The Honors College at Clemson has a free printer in the basement of the building for all students to use, so there might be a similar program in place at this young lady's school. If she does want to buy a computer she should go with a cheaper black-and-white only model because all she'll be printing on it are academic papers anyways.

Macbook Pro is what I have and I absolutely love it. So much faster than a PC. However, like Kevin said, make sure it'll be compatible with the school's software. Mine works great here at Mizzou.

I had (have) a Vaio that lasted me throughout my college career and is still trucking. I've had very few problems with it.

As far as printing -- I agree with Kevin. My alma mater gave us ~$100 "printing dollars" to use each semester and it was very rare that someone used up that amount. Using the computer lab for printing may be a better bet for the student, since she'll be paying for it. It'll also prevent her from having to lug around/insure another piece of equipment in the dorms.

I have a Toshiba Satellite and it has been my best computer in college. Also while I suggest checking with the school, another good source would be Office Depot which at least out here has great deals on computer in clearance sells.

I use a Toshiba and so does my roommate, never had a problem with it. I had a Gateway previously for two years and had problems with the hard drive and it eventually overheated and died.

Stay away from Gateway/Acer, they have been having problems with quality control in the past few years.

I highly recommend an ultralight laptop. I have a MacBook Air, but Toshiba now has one that is really nice, as well. The difference in carrying this around vs. carrying around a full-sized MacBook Pro means that I almost always have my laptop with me these days.

Great suggestions, everyone! Thanks so much!!

I have a Toshiba that I'm really happy with, but heed my warning! Do everything you can to NOT get a computer with Windows 8. It is a nightmare and my guess is there are massive fixes coming. If it's between a 5 year old computer and a brand new one with Windows 8, I'd seriously take the old computer. I've never been a convert to Mac, but with it being as hard as it is to get a PC/laptop without Windows 8, I'd make the switch. Anything to not have Windows 8. Shall I repeat myself or do you get the point? NO WINDOWS 8!!!

I hate Windows 8. I operate in desktop mode. It's pretty much impossible to get a laptop without Win 8 preinstalled. You'd have to uninstall and then install Win 7.

That said, while we're talking about laptops, let's turn this into a general thread. Does anyone here like Win8?

I love my MacBook. In know those are a bit pricey though, and you have to add the software for college life (their version of Word, Excel, etc) for an additional price. Actually, most computers are like this, at least in my experience.

Make sure to get virus protection!!!! There are so many out there and it can just kill a computer. I hear Norton is good, others may have more suggestions since I am now using my Mac again (specifically because of this issue.)