Five Back to School Laptops for 2009 - Gateway and Apple
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2. Gateway P-7811FX
Gateway’s P-7811FX is in the $1,000-to-$1,500 range, which is definitely considered high-end for students. Gateway’s P-7811FX is considered the best deal available on a desktop replacement because of its 19x12 inch tall display, decent Centrino 2 P8400 processor, and high-end GeForce 9800 graphics. Parents are warned: the P-7811FX’s combination of high-end components currently makes it the best mobile gaming deal on the market. If you’re hoping your child’s laptop will be used for more work and less play, the features on this laptop may make you want to reconsider.
1. Apple’s MacBook
Apple’s MacBook is in the same price range as Gateway’s P-7811FX, but we had to include a MAC option for those Apple lovers out there. The MacBook is one of the most popular laptops on college campuses, but choosing one shouldn't be an issue of fitting in, because these laptops have a lot to offer.
If you want a laptop that has tons of flexibility and a decent amount of future-proofing built in (who doesn’t?), it's nearly impossible to go past Apple’s MacBook. It's obviously much cheaper than the MacBook Pro and it can also run Windows when necessary. Not only that, but it has a 13.3-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display that features a 1,280x800 resolution. Lastly, Apple’s MacBook features an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz processor, an integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphic adapter, a large 250GB hard drive, and 2 GB of DDR3 memory -- so what’s not to love?
It’s important to remember that your kid’s laptop doesn’t have to be high-end, but you do want it to last longer than freshman year. There are countless great deals available now that the new school year is quickly approaching. You always want to make the most of your money.
Also, keep in mind that purchasing a laptop for a high school (or junior high student) is an entirely different ball game. Most high-school-aged students require the most simple and basic of functions from their laptops, such as word processing, web browsing, and e-mail. This means that you don’t have to go out of your way -- or out of your budget -- to purchase a powerful computer. This is why you may even want to consider buying your high school student a netbook, which is pretty much a mini-laptop that weighs around three pounds (or less) and costs as little as $200.
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