5 Best Laptops for Back-to-School College Students

It's that time of year again! And if your old laptop's worn out, and too far gone for any of the tricks I described in another article to help bring it back (click here to read), then you might want to buy a new one. Especially if you can get your parents to foot part of the bill!

Here's what you should be looking at:

MacBook and MacBook Pro (13, 15, and 17 inch)

I'm mentioning these first because apparently, most back-to-school college students are going straight for the MacBooks! Their unibody construction is supposed to be very durable, and they all come with Snow Leopard and iLife. Plus, the MacBook Pros are made of aluminum instead of plastic, and they feature built-in SD card readers for cameras' memory cards.

Now, it's true that MacBooks are expensive. But they don't get Windows viruses, so you don't have to pay for virus protection, or for somebody else to clean them out after they get infected. Plus, Apple's done this promotion at the start of the last few school years, where on top of the academic discount for buying a Mac you also get a free iPod Touch. They're doing it again this year, so check it out!

Compaq Presario CQ62

If you can't afford, or can't justify, the expense of a MacBook for back to school, this PC laptop might suit you nicely. It's a heavily-discounted laptop that doesn't come with a memory card reader or webcam, and that has bare-minimum specs. But it has a bright 15.6 inch widescreen display and a generously-sized keyboard, plus a minimalist black-and-silver style which looks very dramatic.

If I seem generous towards these machines, it may be because I just bought one! Or a similar model, anyway. Fortunately, I don't need to do anything really processor-intensive, like heavy gaming or video editing; and the fact that it runs Windows isn't a problem for me, since I'm going to install Ubuntu on it. But if the Presario CQ62 doesn't meet your needs, you might want to look at a MacBook, or a more powerful PC laptop.

"Seashell" Asus Eee

Netbooks are popular accessories, and a good complement to a desktop PC. And I mention this netbook variety because it's also one I've tried out. These recent Eees are very sleek and stylish, with a rubberized lid and downward-curved construction. Plus, they have extremely well-sized keys for typing on.

Aside from that, though, their specs are pretty basic, just like every other netbook's. You might be best served by going to the store and typing on them to compare them to others, since their style and their feel are pretty much all that separates them from other netbooks.

iPad

If you're considering getting a netbook as a second computer, you might consider getting an iPad instead (or even an Android tablet). You can use them to take notes or browse the web, or run iPhone or iPad apps. And while they're a bit heavier than a Kindle, for reading with, they're lighter than even a netbook. You'll need another PC or Mac to sync your iPad with, though, and to download software updates. So while an iPad would be great for bringing around campus, it might not be so hot to use at your desk, or as your only machine.

The Upshot

Before buying any laptop, try to check it out at the store, armed with reviews from online and not just what the salespeople tell you. Make sure that they have a return policy, and especially check with your school before buying anything; they may have special requirements. I have a friend who's studying cinematography, for instance, and they told him to buy a Mac for their video-editing apps. Also make sure you actually need a new laptop, and aren't just acting on impulse ... that old one might last you a little while longer.

Anyway, whatever laptop you end up using this school year, I wish you luck and I hope you have fun with it!