Computers & Networking

[snyderl2]

For my Computer class at College, we have to write a paper about purchasing a computer. We have $3250 to spend on a new computer and peripheral devices.  We have to include all different software & software offiliated with the computer, and our reasoning for getting these things.

I want the computer that i'm "buying" to be for a college student having 4 years left. HELP!!!!

[RealGeorgeW Emerging Expert]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Cyberpowerpc+-+Fang+Evo+GLC1202+Desktop+Computer+-+Intel+Core+i7+i7-2600...

With the graphics upgraded with this : http://www.bestbuy.com/site/EVGA+-+03G-P3-1584-AR+GeForce+GTX+580+Graphic+Card+-+772+MHz+Core+-+3+GB...

Monitor(2x) : http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+25%22+LED+HD+Monitor/1791143.p?id=1218291944678&skuId=1791143

External storage/backup : http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Seagate+-+FreeAgent+GoFlex+Desk+2TB+External+USB+3.0/2.0+Hard+Drive+-+Bl...

Webcam for talking to parents/blogging(college kids do that now right?): http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+HD+4110+1080p+Webcam/1883113.p?id=1218299150376&skuId=1883113

Printer: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-+PIXMA+MG6220+Network-Ready+Wireless+All-In-One+Printer/3674057.p...

[RealGeorgeW Emerging Expert]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Microsoft+Office+Home+and+Student+2010+-+Windows/9894452.p?id=1218190976...

Forgot Office.

[JuanGuapo]

For graduate school, I use a Macbook Pro + iWork '09 + Endnote X5 and it suits me just fine. 

Office is somehow been ingrained as the end-all-be-all wonder app for writing papers and drafting presentations. It's a swiss army knife to be sure but it's not necessary. Most people I know who use Windows often use Office or Google Docs. Mac-heads tend to use iWork, and to a lesser extent, Office.

$3k on a computer is a pretty penny--you sure you need to spend that much?

[SoMeAm]

Hello,

- Lauren, are you looking for a desktop or a notebook?

- RealGeorge, thanks for the HP monitor recommendation.

- Juan, I agree that $3K is a lot for a consumer model of desktop or notebook. 

- Since she has a lot to spend and is a student, I would definitely recommended the best accidental damage protection warranty.

[JuanGuapo]

I should offer as an anecdote, my wife and I did purchase an HP notebook for our nephew who is starting college (DV7-4200 series) nearly a year ago. The whole thing was under $1k when we bought it so if performance is a requirement, it can certainly be had for a lot less than $3k. It had 8GB RAM, i5 CPU, and 1GB AMD Radeon CPU. He has plenty of power to blow on (gaming?) schoolwork for the next few years until he finishes college and buys his own computer.

[RealGeorgeW Emerging Expert]

Note, if you read the first post, this is for a project, not an actual buyer.