Sending your College Student off with the Right Technology

September 1, 2017 8:00 am

The moment has arrived when your teenager is heading off to college and you have to say goodbye. You bought all the books, dorm room necessities, and supplies. But what about the technology that your student needs to succeed in the academic aspect of the college experience? Are you confused by the multitude of options out there and need some help navigating the laptop world? Here are some things to consider when choosing a laptop. (Keep in mind, these considerations remain the same if you are choosing for employees at your work too!)

  • Usage – Ask yourself what you plan to use the laptop for. What type of programs to your plan to use: business applications, engineering programs or maybe graphic design apps? Do some research to find out what will run optimally on the type of laptop you are looking to buy.

 

  • Battery Life – Laptops are meant to travel, so consider how long your battery will last. Be skeptical of the length that the manufacturer claims it will last as they are estimating under optimal conditions.

 

  • Storage/Memory – If you store your data via the cloud, storage may not be a huge concern for you, but be sure to check out how much you store in case you want to add movies, videos, or presentations.

 

  • Security – With more and more users putting sensitive information on their laptops, security is a critical consideration. Look for encryption abilities and password protections.

 

  • Size – Consider the size and sleekness that you are looking for in a laptop before purchasing. No one wants to be lugging around a heavy piece of machinery that takes up too much desk space.

 

  • Processor – Once you know what you will be using the device for it will be easier to decide on the power of the processor. For example, if you know you want to watch videos then you will need a processor with speed.

 

  • Price Tag – As always consider the price of the laptop. Is it within your budget? Are you going to need add-ons or upgrades?

 

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