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Laptop Suggestions
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- Consider ordering an extra battery. For many students the 3-6
hour life of a new battery will be sufficient for in-class use,
but if you choose use your laptop for study groups and out-of-class
use, you may find yourself fighting over the outlet. With use,
your battery life will be reduced, adding to the complication.
For new Dell laptops, an extra battery costs between $70 and $100.
- Students who carry their laptops in the same bag as their books
will soon find marks on their screen from where the keys are pressed
against it. To prevent this, consider keeping the foam insert
that comes with your computer, or try using a scrap of cloth for
protection.
- Big laptops with wide screens are appealing for working with
large spreadsheets (and for watching DVD's), but previous students
have resented packing the extra weight. Also, at an average cost
of about $200 for a monitor width upgrade, the price is somewhat
of a deterrent as well.
- Recommend a minimum 1 GHz processor and 1 GB RAM.
- MS Office is available for students at the BYU Bookstore for
$70.00, which is about half off the retail price.
- Don't spend your money on expensive anti-virus software. When
you arrive on campus you can download Symantec Anti-Virus for
free. The license lasts as long as you are attending BYU and is
good for all computers being used for academic purposes.
- Warranties are a plus. If you are buying a new laptop, consider
getting an extended warranty that will last you through the program.
Usually, a 3 year warranty will only add around $90 to the total
cost of a new computer.
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