Oral Presentation on Student Computers

¶ … brand of computer and printer is the best buy for college students? Buying a computer is a personal choice based on your needs. That decision generally determines what brand you will buy. It is not driven by a particular brand. Sooner or later, every college student asks themselves the question, "what kind of a computer should I buy?" It's a natural question in this day and age. These days almost every student has a computer and right now, computers are less expensive than they used to be.

But since this is still a major purchase, you have to take several factors into consideration before purchasing. Buying a computer is not about what brand to buy but rather about what computer meets your personal needs. There are many good brands and many types of computers and printers available. What you really need to do is to make an informed decision based on what you are going to need the computer for. Apple, Dell, IBM, Compaq, SONY, etc. manufacture a variety of PCs, laptops, handheld computers and printers.

Every student should begin the process of purchasing a computer by thinking about their needs and how the computer will be used. This will help determine whether you want a PC or a laptop, any special features you might want and the types of software programs that would be important to you. Picking your computer before you know what you think is important isn't a smart idea. Don't go by manufacturer's name or price alone and buy the most expensive, flashiest computer you can find.

And on the other hand, don't go for the least expensive. Just buy a reasonably up-to-date standard computer that will do what you want for the applications (including games) that you currently run. If there's a choice of features, determine which ones meet your specific needs. It's important to remember that a computer is a powerful technology tool that can either help a student's mental and personal development, so pick carefully. In essence, you will want a computer that has basic email and productivity software, and possibly expansion options.

Maybe portability is important to you and therefore, a laptop would meet your needs. But remember laptops have a shorter life span and cost more and have fewer expansion options. PCs on the other hand, can offer a high-end system with more features and expandability. Once you decide what computer you want you need to consider a compatible printer, again based on your personal needs. Then you can begin to take what your needs are and compare what manufacturers have to offer.

The best choice will be the one that meets your particular needs. Determining a brand is also based on the best configuration of hardware and software and many companies offer special discounts to students. Major discount stores, electronics stores and even the Internet can provide you with access to major manufacturer's products at excellent prices. You can even access reviews and comparisons online to determine who is offering the best equipment at the best price.

Whether you buy online or in a computer store, be sure to check into the company's reputation, warranty, return policy, and support services. If it has a technical support line, try calling first to discuss the equipment. (This will give you an idea of the level of support you can expect from the manufacturer.) For those less familiar with computers, you may want to obtain the help of an experienced user if you want to make an online purchase.

Connection is a key factor for the college student so be sure to at least get a 56 Kbps dial-up connection to meet your Internet access requirements. However, you'll probably find that cable modem access or digital subscriber line (DSL) access is a great enhancement. While the initial setup is typically more involved than dial-up, these services will increase your productivity from home in the long run. A 56 Kbps dial-up connection is adequate only for limited e-mail usage.

I'd personally recommend choosing a system running Windows, regardless of which computer you choose. Also make sure you have comprehensive service and warranty support. I'd also recommend a desktop or laptop that has Intel Pentium family of processors. The Pentium 4 has become the processor of choice for both tops of the line and mid-tier desktop and laptop machines on the market. If you go.