It’s the time of year when my inbox fills with questions from eager and concerned parents who are facing a decision on sending their sons or daughters off to college with a computer.
In some cases, the decision is made for you; I also am one of those parents comparing colleges and one of the things on my checklist is the technology offered to my son, the prospective student. I have been pretty impressed by some colleges that offer fully-stocked computer stores and support desks. I have been less impressed by the colleges that require students to buy one model of computer and (worse yet) buy it at an inflated price from the university.
I fail to see why the university gains anything by having every kid using the exact same model of PC (and I manage support desks for a living.) Windows is Windows; the better plan is to establish minimum standards and assuming the computer meets those standards, accept it for annual support for a fee.
Anyway, if you have a kid going to college they need a computer and as of now that means a laptop. Gone are the days where desktop computers even make remote sense any more. Instead, the only real decision you have is your operating system. Obviously, most computers today run Microsoft Windows and it’s cheaper and that is your most universal solution.
If you have more money or if your student is considering a career in graphics design, music or the arts, consider an Apple. These laptops are basically works of computer art but you will pay a premium for an Apple. (Do keep in mind that current Apples will run Windows.) However, before you buy anything, contact the admissions department of the college that your student is considering and ask what types of computers the university’s IT department will support. (Some will support many, some will support Windows only; some even have Apple stores on-site.)
Parents should be worried about theft and for this you have two choices; one is the trusty security cable, which every parent buys for about $30, and no kid really uses. This cable locks into the security slot of the laptop and will stop only the casual thief.
The other choice is a product like Lojack for Laptops, a CompuTrace product that will “phone home” when your stolen laptop is ever plugged into the Internet. This product, which costs about $35 a year depending on where you get it, even works if the computer’s hard drive has been formatted in many cases. (CompuTrace is also available direct from many computer manufacturers upon purchase of the laptop, too.)
James Derk is owner of CyberDads, a computer repair firm and a tech columnist for Scripps Howard News Service. His e-mail address is [email protected]
