1. Price
"You just spent a wad of money on education that would shock even Queen Elizabeth," Martin says. "So do you really want to spend another wad on a laptop? I don't think so."
The good news is that laptop prices have fallen consistently. Not all that long ago, you would have had to drop $3000 or more to get a good desktop replacement model. Today, you can easily find a well-equipped desktop replacement on PC World's monthly Top 15 Notebook PCs that costs less than $2000. The most expensive models are still in the $3000 to $4500 ballpark, but they're loaded with extras many people won't need (see Fun and Games).
Artwork: Rick Rizner, John Goddard If price is your top consideration, focus on getting the best value for your dollar. PC World's monthly Notebook PCs chart includes the five top "value" models. A recent Best Buy is IBM's ThinkPad R50. For about $1500, depending on where you buy, you get a solid machine that's neither too heavy to carry nor too skimpy on features. To view the range of available ThinkPad R models, go to Big Blue's R Series page.
Note: The R50 is soon to be replaced by the R51.
The rule of thumb is: The lower the laptop's price, the less memory, storage, and dazzling multimedia features you'll get. Even so, just $1400 will buy some awesome machines.
Artwork: Rick Rizner, John Goddard Another example: IBM's ThinkPad X31, which goes for about $1400 (without a docking station) is a near-perfect ultraportable notebook. The X31 weighs under 4 pounds, sports a keyboard that feels better than those of many full-size notebooks, and includes plenty of data ports. The $1400 price gives you only a 20GB hard drive, however. And the X31 lacks a CD- or a DVD-ROM drive. To get one (and you must), you'll spend an additional $199 for a 2-pound docking station. For the full range of available configurations, see IBM's ThinkPad X series page.
Note: IBM is replacing the X31 with the X40.
Tip: Some schools have specific (minimum) system requirements--if, say, the computing tasks will involve editing video. Be sure to investigate whether you need to purchase a machine with a given set of hardware and/or software specifications before you hand over your credit card.
Tip: For software, you'll most likely need Microsoft Word (for term papers) and Microsoft PowerPoint (for presentations). Both programs (and others) are included in Microsoft Office. Often, Office is an option when configuring a notebook for purchase online or over the phone. But you may save money by not buying the software pre-installed on your notebook. Instead, compare the price against the Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003, which includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other programs. (Microsoft's list price is just $150.)
For more information about Microsoft Office for students and teachers--and for details about when you qualify for the discounted software--visit Microsoft's site.
You might also want to consider Corel's WordPerfect Office 12 Student and Teacher Edition. It's $50 cheaper than Microsoft's package. Check Corel's site for its eligibility policy.
Tip: Don't forget: Many students, teachers, and other faculty members qualify for educational discounts on computer hardware, too. Contact your school or check your school's Web site (if it has one) to compare prices before you buy.
Tip: With refurbished notebooks, you can sometimes get more features for your money than with comparable brand-new models. Computers that are returned to the store or manufacturer and are then repaired, retested, and resold are often called "refurbished" or "remanufactured." Dell, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, and others sell refurbished laptops online. For details, read "Mobile Computing: Refurbished Notebooks."
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