Back to School is a big time for electronics purchases. Each year thousands of parents across the planet are faced with trying to figure out WHICH computer/gizmo/laptop is necessary for their kid to use at school. Depends on what grade, what the needs are, but in the end - get something with serves as many purposes as possible.
On Tuesday, July 26, I appeared on the Computer America Radio Show on behalf of TigerDirect.com, talking about the TigerDirect 80 Laptops in 80 Days Sweepstakes as well as how to pick the right notebook or desktop for back to school.
If you are a college student, space is of major concern. Try to get as much use out of one device as possible. Let’s start with your cellphone. Ditch that PDA - it’s trash. Time for the smartphone. Choose a phone that doesn’t need to have every gizmo and gadget known to man on it, but get one that has the ability to use removable storage (like a SD card or trans-flash); voice recorder (great for taking notes), a sturdy and solid keypad for entry of notes, schedules, phone numbers (of course) and text messages. Email should be a factor to consider, but don’t think that a blackberry is a “must have.” You can definitely take advantage of blackberry service, but folks - its only email. Setup a free YahooMail accounts and use pop3 access to check your mail from your phone.
So, know we mushed the PDA and phone into one piece. Add a camera and you have a 3-in-1 device. If you choose a phone with any version of Windows Mobile, you’ll be able to view Powerpoint, Word and Excel files right on your phone. Surf the web and have a good time.
Next, we move to the computing device. Notebook or desktop? Hmmm I dunno either. Depends on what you need. Do you want to carry around a notebook? Need to? Okay, fine, let’s go with the notebook. Many may believe that any windows-powered smartphone can be your PORTABLE device, while you have a full featured desktop back at the ranch to run real applications. On the go - what do you need that a windows mobile device can’t handle? You have a place for music and everything. 4Get the xPod!
Now, if you get a notebook, try to get Windows XP Media Center Edition. It’s really cool, and it doubles your notebook as a TV. Now, watching TV on a little 10.6 inch screen is hard, but so is computing. I can barely work with only two monitors - and a notebook feels crippling to me, but get a big screen. NO NO, don’t go 17 inches, but you want the same amount of width? Why not get one of thost 15.4″ Widescreens (WXGA) from say, eMachine and spend less than $1000 and you get a GREAT PC with an LCD-TV like experience!
If you want a desktop, same thing, Media Center.
Well folks, you coulda heard a lot more with Craig and Carey on Computer America if you were listening! Your next opportunity to hear me is on August 21st, live from the world headquarters of TigerDirect.com — Keep watching for details! To listen to the archived version of Computer America, visit http://www.computeramerica.com. By the way, make sure to drop a line to Craig to wish him a happy 14th Year on the air!
Computer America is heard Nationwide on both the Business Talk Radio Network and the Lifestyles Talk Radio Network and available by podcast as their website.
