Top 5 Back-to-School Computers

Summer is a great time to buy a back-to-school computer. Stores are offering fantastic deals on student-friendly desktops and laptops. Before you buy one, find out if the school has any recommendations. Make sure that the computer meets the minimum hardware requirements for the course. Some colleges have special deals with manufacturers to offer discounts on student computers. Apple offers a student discount on many of their products. Certain courses even offer free laptops.

It may seem like a good idea to buy a cheap computer, but this can turn out to be a false economy. You want a laptop that will last for a few years. Buying a cut-rate model will save you money now, but may end up costing more in the long run. Here are five computers that may not be the cheapest, but offer great value for money:

1.Dell Latitude E6400 ($739) – This laptop comes with a powerful 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive. The 14.1-inch screen is big enough so you don’t have to strain your eyes. At just 4.3lbs, it’s light enough to carry around campus all day long.

2.Lenovo ThinkPad T400 ($1,999) – This is a great computer for math and engineering students. It has a 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 3GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. At 5.5lbs, it’s a bit heavier than the Dell, but still portable. The hard drive is big enough to hold thousands of songs and hundreds of videos.

3.Apple MacBook Pro ($1,849) – Macs are the perfect tools for design and music students. This stylish laptop has a 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. It weighs 5.5lbs, which isn’t bad for a laptop with a stunning 15-inch screen.

4.Gateway SX2800-01 ($500) – If you’re on a tight budget, this Gateway desktop is fantastic value for money. It has a 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad processor, 4GB of RAM and a 640 GB hard drive as standard. As with any desktop, the downside is a lack of portability. The slim PC tower looks gigantic when compared to a laptop.

5.Asus Essentio CM5570-AP006 ($629) – Don’t be fooled by the shiny exterior of this desktop. It packs a punch. It comes with a 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad processor, 6GB of RAM and a massive 720 GB hard drive. It’s larger, slightly slower, and more expensive than the Gateway, but still great value for money.