| College students spend an enormous amount of | | | | computer needs to keep up with the student so |
| money on day to day living and school expenses. | | | | processor speed and memory is very important. |
| Dorms, books, and food alone will cost parents | | | | These are not the two areas to cut cost. -Light |
| thousands of dollars per semester. Finding places to | | | | Weight - No one wants to carry a 50 pound boat |
| cut costs can be difficult, but one major expense can | | | | anchor around in their already heavy book bag. Make |
| be avoided. Laptop computers are very quickly | | | | sure the refurbished laptop is as portable as it needs |
| becoming a necessity for any student, and they are | | | | to be. -Wireless - The laptop should already be |
| costly. Finding a cheap laptop that will get the job done | | | | wirelessly enabled or have an open slot for a wireless |
| can save a great deal of money. Many have found | | | | card. Universities are becoming wireless hot spots and |
| the answer in Refurbished Laptops. A refurbished | | | | every student should be able to take advantage of |
| laptop is one that has been returned to the | | | | this. -Powered - Make sure that the life of the laptop |
| manufacturer and has been restored to a "like new" | | | | battery is respectable, and purchase a rechargeable |
| state. Although the computer is not damaged, it can't | | | | back-up so there is always battery power available. |
| be sold as new so the price is slashed heavily. A | | | | There is more that should be considered of course, but |
| $2000.00 laptop might be sold as a refurbished item | | | | most options will depend on the needs of the individual. |
| for $900.00 and be no different that it's new | | | | One drawback of a refurbished laptop is that in most |
| counterparts. This means that for less than half the | | | | cases there is very little customization that can be |
| cost, a powerful like new laptop can be purchased, | | | | done before the point of purchase. These computers |
| and in many cases be placed under warranty in the | | | | are already built and ready to go so if you don't like a |
| same way a new laptops would. Almost every major | | | | particular option then you need to buy another laptop. |
| computer manufacturer offers refurbished laptops | | | | This doesn't mean that changes can't be made by the |
| including IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Dell. Once a | | | | user after purchase, but any further customization will |
| refurbished manufacturer is chosen, the laptop | | | | cost additional money and the user needs to be |
| specifics must be looked at to make sure the | | | | proficient in making the upgrade. |
| computer can get the job done. Students are looking | | | | Jon Norwood is a founder and managing partner of |
| for a laptop that is: -Sturdy - Students are on the | | | | Refurbished Laptops, a site dedicated to providing |
| move, and their laptop will take some damage in its | | | | information regarding laptop and desktop computers |
| time. Make sure the computer is tough. -Fast - The | | | | as well as guides on how to best choose a product. |