In choosing the device to purchase for a college student today an important consideration would be the advice of experts about computer use and the future. It has been reported that the reliance on computers is bound to increase in the future with a greater significance on mobility about devices. This is due to the increased prevalence of Wi-Fi networks and advances in modern computing technology (Morely & Parker, 2010).
Even though portable devices currently outsell desktop devices it is important to consider relevant factors thoroughly before making a purchase. In terms of features such as processor speed, memory, and storage space most notebooks are comparable to desktop computers (Morley & Parker, 2010). However, in terms of cost, a desktop computer is normally cheaper than a laptop with similar features. A desktop computer is reported to cost between $350 and $1000 (Morley & Parker, 2010). An alternative that would be suitable under a tight budget would be a netbook which costs almost the same as a desktop. Unfortunately, a netbook will result in significant tradeoffs in terms of features and processing power.
It would appear based on analysis of relevant factors that the best device for a student would be a notebook computer. Given that the student may need to carry the device to use wireless connections at various locations this is considered a suitable choice. In addition to that, the reasonable processing power will allow for more tasks to be done with minimal delays. An important consideration that should not be forgotten is the operating platform of the device selected.
Some platforms may limit the student’s capability by offering fewer products. An example of a suitable purchase costing slightly below $800 is the Dell Inspiron 17R. The device comes with an Intel Core i5 460M 2.53GHZ processor. It has 4GB memory and a hard disk capacity of 500GB (5400RPM). It is also fitted with a Blu Ray disk drive which reads Blu Ray disks and writes both CD and DVD. In addition to that, a customer is provided a 1-year free service and is allowed to access the product via a 12-month finance plan (Dell, 2011).
References
Dell. (2011). Home and Office: Laptops and Netbooks. Web.
Morley, D., & Parker, C. S. (2010). Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, Introductory. Boston: Course Technology Cengage Learning.