Colleges and academic departments usually offer basic laptop specifications. Start there. Then, follow my recommendations for a laptop your favorite grad will truly love.
Macs
The right Mac laptop is really a matter of preference. All current MacBooks should meet schools' general requirements. The entry-level MacBook ($1,000) features an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. It has a 250-gigabyte hard drive and 2GB of RAM. Rounding out the specs are a 13-inch LED-backlit screen, DVD burner and built-in webcam. Wireless networking is standard.
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The MacBook Pro gives you more power and a nice aluminum body. The base model ($1,200) has an Intel Core i5 processor and 4GB of RAM. Graphics are stronger, and the hard drive is 320GB. There's also a slot for SD cards and a backlit keyboard.
The MacBook Air (from $1,000) is less than ideal for students. You'll make sacrifices for the sake of size. For example, there's limited storage and no disk drive. Plus, the screen is on the small side.
Windows
Choosing a Windows machine is more complicated. You'll find a variety of form factors from many manufacturers. Specifications vary widely, and there are a few different versions of Windows. So shop carefully.
Go with Windows 7 Home Premium or Ultimate. I recommend a 64-bit version. You can use more RAM for speedier performance. The machine won't lag if you open several program simultaneously.
Select an Intel Core i5 or AMD Phenom processor, if possible. A dual-core model is fine for most students. Don't waste your money on a top-of-the-line processor. In fact, older Core 2 Duo or Turion II processors will satisfy general computing needs.
Go with 4GB of RAM for 64-bit Windows. More than 3GB of RAM won't be supported by 32-bit Windows; save your money. Storage space is important. Don't settle for a hard drive smaller than 250GB.
Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections should come standard. You also want plenty of USB
ports and a DVD burner. Don't underestimate the importance of a large keyboard and screen. The laptop will be more comfortable to use. You'll need to balance this with weight. Anything over five pounds may be too heavy to lug.
A machine meeting these specifications starts around $500.
You'll still see netbooks on shelves. These low-priced machines have smaller screens and limited RAM. They mostly use Intel's Atom processor. Your student needs something more powerful. Stick with a real laptop.
Tablets
Your grad may want a tablet computer like the iPad. These are intended to be used in addition to a laptop. They really can't replace laptops due to design limitations. Screens range from 7 to 10 inches. The processor and RAM will be fairly limited. Also, you'll need to add a keyboard; touch screens aren't conducive to serious typing.
Connections are also limited on tablets. Some don't have USB ports. Ethernet ports and disk drives are also absent.
The biggest drawback to tablets may be the software. You can't install full-fledged programs like Office. You can only use apps. Further, there's no file system. This limits how you can use files. Moving files between apps can be a chore.
Still, a tablet supplements a laptop nicely. Your student can use one for taking notes and reading e-books.
Educational discounts
Don't forget to claim your educational discounts. You can save $100 or more on a laptop; discounts on software are even higher. For example, you can save $700 on Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended.
Check the school's bookstore and manufacturers'sites for information on educational discounts. Also visit JourneyEd, AcademicSuperstore and Gradware. Discounts vary, so comparison shopping pays off. Be prepared to show proof of enrollment.
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