College Material
Article published in Northampton Living
(July 2023)
If college is on the horizon for your soon-to-be freshman, this will be a summer for computer shopping. We asked tech expert Scott Haselkorn for tips on where to start.
Get to know your kid’s school.
Check the school’s computer-based recommendations, primarily around Mac or Windows. If your student is going into a tech-driven program like engineering or art, the school could have a preferred platform. Take note, too, if their program might require an updated machine before their 4 or 5-year college career is over. When you’re ready to buy, see if the college bookstore has computers for purchase, or if they have a preferred vendor. Steer clear of used computers unless they are certified refurbished products.
A long-term plan can save you time and money.
Do you want to replace the computer next year or do you want it to last for the duration? Once you decide the frequency of refresh, make sure there is a warrantee available for that length of time. Consider an accidental damage warrantee in case someone spills their morning coffee on the computer or drops it while rushing to class. That said, don’t underestimate the value of a laptop backpack or shoulder bag with good padding or a padded sleeve. Even if you have an accidental damage warrantee, it will still take a day to get things fixed, and that may be the day when your student has to finish a big report.
Certain specs might influence success.
At the bare minimum, look for a laptop with 8 gigabytes of RAM and a 256-GB hard drive. If you want the computer to last longer, consider going to 16 or 32 GBs. If you have a music lover or prolific artist to consider, then space is at a premium. Screen size is less important; opt for mobility (a light laptop to carry to class) and consider buying an exterior monitor for any project work. A 24-inch monitor could even double as a TV.
Safety is paramount.
Antivirus software is a must; check out your options on Webroot.com. Make sure your student backs everything up on the iCloud, Google Drive or OneDrive. VPNs (virtual private networks) are all the rage, but that doesn’t mean you need one. You should be able to trust the school and their wifi. If your student will live off-campus or in a dorm that doesn’t have access to the university’s wifi, look into buying your own router on eero.com. And above all, be wary of any suspicious links. (See our January 2023 Q&A with Haselkorn for more on online scams.) If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.