College Confidential - View Single Post - Please help in understanding computer stuff list of dorm essentials

rrjs82 · 08-02-2009, 09:51 PM

Hi, I am mom of an incoming freshman. We just bought her a laptop, the Dell Studio XPS13. Anyway, I am looking on the UD list of "room essentials" and there are a few items relating to computer stuff and I do not know exactly what they are or if we need them. Never have had a laptop, or any of this wireless stuff so I would appreciate any help.

What is/do we need 1) Ethernet card/cable (I think laptop includes ethernet card? What about cable? Do I have to by that? 2) It lists seperately "power strips with an internal circuit breaker", and "surge supressors". Are these two different things (or are there surge supressors that are also power strips with circuit breakers?). If they are different what is each used for? Is the surge suppressor for the laptop and the power strip with circuit breaker for other appliances?

Sorry to be so clueless. Any help would be appreciated, I want to start buying this stuff and get everything in order. I'm starting to panic and feel so overwhelmed with all that is needed.

08-02-2009, 09:51 PM	#1
rrjs82 New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 26	Please help in understanding computer stuff list of dorm essentials Hi, I am mom of an incoming freshman. We just bought her a laptop, the Dell Studio XPS13. Anyway, I am looking on the UD list of "room essentials" and there are a few items relating to computer stuff and I do not know exactly what they are or if we need them. Never have had a laptop, or any of this wireless stuff so I would appreciate any help. What is/do we need 1) Ethernet card/cable (I think laptop includes ethernet card? What about cable? Do I have to by that? 2) It lists seperately "power strips with an internal circuit breaker", and "surge supressors". Are these two different things (or are there surge supressors that are also power strips with circuit breakers?). If they are different what is each used for? Is the surge suppressor for the laptop and the power strip with circuit breaker for other appliances? Sorry to be so clueless. Any help would be appreciated, I want to start buying this stuff and get everything in order. I'm starting to panic and feel so overwhelmed with all that is needed.
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