Hey guys, wondering what Laptop you would get for a HS Freshman. How much computing power do they really need at this point. If you have gone through this process and can offer some advise that would be great. I am looking for something that will provide her a reliable unit with the expectation a new one will be needed before she goes off to college.

 

Just get a macbook

 

best buy always has really good deals on HP laptops. I got one for myself for like $750 and it's got everything I could ever want.

 

I second this motion. Chicks dig the white mac books.

 

I also recommend a macbook, they are a great deal with good specs. The back-to-school promo apple has every year should be out in a few weeks so you will also get a free ipod nano or credit towards a more expensive one.

 

I'd go with Steve's suggestion. Just buy a cheap HP laptop. They're pretty reliable and cheap. Don't get anything too fancy, remember, it's for school so it's essentially only to contain Offce, Photoshop and other school related apps. No games

 

Mac is always an easy choice...id wait till late august for new models though.

HPs are a "stylish" choice on the PC end... so thats good advice as well.

In general no HS classes (outside some creative work) require much outside basic MSFT office applications.... I didn't have a laptop in HS.... I saw no need for portable computing.

college a whole different story obviously

 

I've had a terrible experience with HP so I wouldn't get a subpar 'puter ... but that's just me.

 

If I were you i'd get one of the new sony LED backlit displays. 10 hour battery life. 'nuff said.

 

I got a Dell laptop when I was in high school. The computer still works great to this day (going into my junior year of college), although there were minor mishaps along the way (dead hard drive, dead trackpad). I just treated myself to a macbook this summer, and I must say, I'm a believer.

My sister just got a macbook, and she's a good deal younger than I am. The younger the kid is, as I'm sure you know, the easier they seem to pick all the stuff up with the computers, so I would say either way you'd be fine. I do think the macbook would be a great option, the only thing that scares me, is there's no accidental coverage available. On my Dell, I had full accidental coverage. I could literally launch the thing out the window, or pour a 2 liter bottle of soda on it, and I'd get a new one.

Being a high school student, depending on how responsible she is, that's definitely something you should put some thought into.


Good luck.