- RAM is what your computer uses to load programs, play videos, music, etc. Think of it like a handyman’s workbench. The more space you have, the more projects you can work on simultaneously, and the faster you can access each one. More is always better when it comes to RAM, so don’t try to cut costs on this feature, but don’t break the bank with huge amounts, either. 4 GB should be enough.
- Storage memory is what your hard drive is. It is where all the things you install and save are stored. If you plan to use your laptop for music, video, games, etc. you’ll want as big a hard drive as you can afford. If your laptop is going to be used only for browsing the internet, sending emails, instant messaging, writing essays, etc. then this is definitely a feature you can minimize to save some money. I would advise getting at least a 100GB hard drive, as Windows, Microsoft Office, and other essential programs can really add up to memory usage over time.
Top 10 Tips for Choosing a Cheap Laptop
Website design By BotEap.comChoosing a Laptop on a Budget: Tips for Canadian College Students
Website design By BotEap.comone thing everything canadian college students going to need these days is a laptop. The main advantage of a laptop over a stationary PC is its size and portability. For many degree programs, a laptop can be an indispensable tool for most, if not all, of their classes. In the modern digital age, most teachers or class readers use PowerPoint or Adobe formats for their class notes and presentations. Most provide copies to students via class websites to download and print, and many classes even require them as daily class supplies. While printing out your notes or presentations and tracking them is a perfectly acceptable way to manage your classes, using a laptop puts everything in one place.
Website design By BotEap.comImagine sitting in class, following the notes and writing your own comments or memory aids just below each slide. At the end of class, hit save, close the laptop, go to your next class, and rinse/repeat. While this may seem obvious, it is the not-so-obvious benefits that are causing more and more students to switch from the old pen-and-paper system to a digital one. While you’re following the class, you can catch up on emails, use Wikipedia or Google for more explanations on topics you’re not 100% sure about, or even participate in real-time class discussions on the same notes. you’re covering! I had a professor who encouraged the use of laptops not only to manage digital notes, but also to participate in a live Twitter feed that I would set up every day. Instead of raising their hand and asking a question out loud risking embarrassment and ridicule, he would have students tweet the class Twitter account and answer student questions that way. I have never seen a class discussion as helpful and extensive as the one I saw in that class, even if it was partly digital! Anyway, onto the tips!
Website design By BotEap.comTip #1 – Choose your size wisely!
Website design By BotEap.comWhile laptops larger than 16″ are easy on the eyes and very comfortable to use, they really aren’t that practical for a student who intends to use them in class. Here’s why: Many lecture halls and classrooms try to pack as many desks and students as possible. Personal space is not as abundant as a result. Some classes have long tables with chairs that can accommodate a large laptop, but definitely not. Most conference rooms have chairs with an attached surface that is sometimes as small as 12″ wide! They were built with sheets of paper and clipboards in mind, not 16″ supercomputer laptops. So beware of larger “entertainment” laptops and always keep in mind what you’re buying this laptop for. I recommend no more. bigger than 15.1″ and even then they can be a pain at times. Try to go as small as you can tolerate.
Website design By BotEap.comTip #2 – Battery Life
Website design By BotEap.comFor most students, a day at school can be 6 hours or more. While much of your time is spent running from class to class or eating lunch or coffee, the rest is spent sitting in class, probably using your new laptop. This is where it really pays to have a laptop with excellent battery life. If you buy from an electronics store, ask the salesperson how long you can expect a full charge to last on average. Try to find a laptop that has a battery capacity of at least 2 hours. Apple laptops are famous for their long battery life, often lasting 4 hours or more, but they are also famous for being quite expensive and probably not an option for anyone choosing a budget laptop. If you’ve found a laptop you like but find it has poor battery life, buying a replacement battery is always an option. If your salesperson is working on commission, see if he or she offers one for free. If all else fails, tuck the power cord into your backpack and keep your laptop charged during breaks between classes.
Website design By BotEap.comTip #3 – Memory
Website design By BotEap.comThere are two types of memory in a computer, RAM and storage memory (hard drive).