<p>DS uses 15" MacBook Pro. It’s never more than 3 feet from him when awake. Does not want a smaller one and the weight of the computer seems to be a small percentage of the weight of his backpack from what I’ve seen. Also has external monitor and a projector that he also uses as another monitor. Not a comp sci guy but is in STEM.</p>
<p>It’s a drag lugging a 5 lb laptop to the library! My last 3 years of undergrad I used a small MacBook Pro (college loaned it to me :))…I really liked it. I’ve got a small 11.6" Acer Windows notebook now which is light and portable…it works fine for me.</p>
<p>I think with the college set the Macs are surpassing the Dells and HPs etc., but for my engineering kiddo we gave him a new Dell with greater Core processing and an enhanced video card which should work for him. If he needs more processing power or speed he can go to the engineering computer lab.</p>
<p>Got my daughter a 13" MacBook Air to replace a 15" Dell Studio. It’s 2.5 pounds versus 6 pounds–quite a difference. The battery lasts longer. She always makes it though a day of classes. (The new airs just announced claim new battery technology that will last 12 hours versus the current 7.) She’s also hard on technology, and with solid state memory, at a reasonable price, rather than a mechanical hard drive, the fan is the only moving part–aside from the hinges.</p>
<p>Before I purchased it, I spoke to the technician who works on our computers, and he said that Apple machines are very difficult and costly to repair. Some of the parts are glued rather than screwed in. Apple will charge you $800 to replace a broken screen. So some breakdowns total your machine. For that reason, we got an extended warranty to insure the longevity of the machine. </p>
<p>I was recently at a Starbucks on the edge of a major university. Sitting at a long table, I counted 8 students with 8 Macs.</p>
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<p>Keep in mind the screen/LCD panel is usually the most expensive part of the notebook and requires a tech to take his/her time to avoid risking damage to the new screen/LCD panel or to other parts of the screen. </p>
<p>LCD panels alone are around $100 just for the part. Add in labor costs and it could easily be at least that or more…especially if one is dealing with design complexities(i.e. HP Pavilions) and wants to employ a tech who isn’t hamfisted or worse…incompetent.</p>
<p>Wow, I knew I would get a a lot of good advice. He is a business major. I am looking at this 15" HP at Costco for around $900 [HP</a> Spectre XT TouchSmart Ultrabook 15-4010nr Review & Rating | PCMag.com](<a href=“http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2416043,00.asp]HP”>HP Spectre XT TouchSmart Ultrabook 15-4010nr Review | PCMag) </p>
<p>I just can’t see him working long hours on a 13 inch. I use a 13 inch ultralight for business trips and can’t stand having no screen real-estate and a tiny keyboard… He has had a 24 inch 1080P desktop monitor for the last 4 years so I think he will have trouble adjusting to a 13" with a chic-let keyboard. </p>
<p>A 13 inch would be fine if it was used to carry to classes and most work and studying would be done in the dorm or apartment with an external monitor and keyboard at the ready. But I don’t think most kids study where the live and sleep. So that leave him writing papers, working spreadsheets, and running Multiple Regression Modeling software at 13".</p>
<p>Battery life on the 13 inch laptops is a big plus. Extra square inches on the 15 inches burn juice faster. The extra two pounds I am not worried about as he has no trouble with one of those strong back weak mind summer jobs.</p>
<p>If he’s a gamer - most what a computer that can support video games. My kids would know what that is - but I don’t. But I know that was key for my DS. Also - tell him to never leave on his bed - as any laptop can’t ventilate and can overheat, damage the laptop and possibly catch fire.</p>
<p>My son would have never considered a desk unit - only laptops.</p>
<p>Chisel,</p>
<p>I’d look at Lenovo or with some reservations…Dell corporate models(Latitude, XPS) as IME, they tend to be better built and don’t have as many QC/support issues as HP models…especially their consumer line stuff. </p>
<p>I also am partial to Apple MBP in the 15" size…but YMMV as not everyone wants a mac. </p>
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<p>Most hardcore gamers I know…including current undergrads overwhelmingly opt for desktop machines even nowadays.</p>
<p>Not only are desktops more cost effective from a performance/cost ratio, but most gamer notebooks have serious cooling issues and a large cost premium associated with them.</p>
<p>We have 5 laptops in the house a Lenovo(no problems), a Compaq(no problems) and 3 HP’s with 15 inch screens. My oldest has been carrying his HP back and forth to high school this last year with no complaints about the weight. His HP which is 2 years old did tend to overheat so we had to have it sent in and they put in a new fan. The other two HP’s are less than a year old and we haven’t had any problems yet…</p>
<p>If you can, ask their major’s advisor what their students are using. Might sway your opinion one way or another. Ie most of my students use Macs since that’s what their industry mostly uses.</p>
<p>Almost everyone used desktops when I was in school (up till 05). I got a laptop during junior year and I was one of maybe 5-10 people that I knew at school who had one. I’m sure now days almost everyone uses laptops… however people who are big gamers either have a large laptop or a desktop. You may find people with multiple monitors as well on a desktop. Many of my friends still use a combination of laptop/desktop. I have two desktops in my house, two laptops, one tablet and 1 work computer. At my parents house they have two laptops, one desktop, and one tablet.</p>
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<p>Your experience largely mirrors mine though more students at my LAC had laptops in my latter two years(late '90s) due to large numbers of students from higher SES families. </p>
<p>Nowadays, the only undergrads with desktops tend to be the hardcore gamers or STEM nerds desiring their own server box to experiment with. </p>
<p>Hardcore gamers tend to go for those desktops and/or opt for gaming consoles. Funny enough, many of them on FB and in my email inbox are ranting about the Xbox one’s shortcomings such as internet checkin requirements and DRM restricting sales of used games.</p>
<p>yeah, my friends are all ranting about the xbox as well. We’ll see how it does!</p>
<p>What about buying a Squaretrade warranty? Costco offers one for $99 that covers drops and spills and a one week turn around with a fix - or cash to cover the purchase of a new laptop if repairs exceed the purchase price. </p>
<p>I never buy extended warranties but it seems like self-inflicted damage coverage would come in handy in a college environment. </p>
<p>Also, backing up… External HD or Thumbdrive?</p>
<p>Second the advice about checking the school’s website for recommended computer(s). Some schools, particularly STEM colleges and technical universities, dictate what computers students use. A Specific brand and model are issued to students (part of the COA) at some schools.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that things bought on certain credit cards have built in extended warranties</p>
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<p>AMEX adds another year to a standard & extended warranty up to 5 full years.</p>
<p>My S (majoring in video game design with emphasis on programming) didn’t take his laptop on his summer study abroad. He bought a Surface! Things keep getting smaller.</p>
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The beauty with the Squaretrade warranty is that it covers drops and spills. “Roommate” knocks over the bong on the keyboard - just send it in for repair or cost replacement. ~1 week turn around.</p>
<p>Yes the Credit Card extension should get him through normal non-accidental issues over the four years though.</p>
<p>From his college:</p>
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<p>Our kids both started with Large laptops. Both were purchased using AmEx Costco card and broke while under extended warranty from that CCard. Both chose to replace with net book and desktop with two monitors. They both found that combo best for them in college. </p>
<p>S has since gotten another laptop and kindle fire to keep himself busy, since his post college full-time job requires a lot of travel.</p>