<p>FYI, not sure if you’ve seen this or not, but here’s a discussion about buying a computer through the school - yes, more money up front, but you do get a unique service/peace of mind that u will always have a laptop available to use…</p>
<p><a href=“Buy a computer from UMD or bring one - University of Maryland - College Park - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1642132-buy-a-computer-from-umd-or-bring-one-p1.html</a></p>
<p>As for software, as a Terp, your son will have access to “free” software for a LOT of programs…check here to see what he can get once he starts classes…
<a href=“http://www.it.umd.edu/techsavings/software.html”>http://www.it.umd.edu/techsavings/software.html</a></p>
<p>As for specs, well honestly that depends on how your son plans to use it - is he a gamer? Honestly, there are no specifications that are stated as “minimum requirements”… except as defined by the software he plans to use… </p>