Back-to-school laptop guide, 2008

School starts in a matter of weeks, and that means laptop purchases are set to skyrocket, along with questions from many readers who are confused by the glut of systems flooding the market. There are hundreds of laptops to choose from, each often available in dozens of configurations. How do you pick a laptop that's right for you or your off-to-school child? Here's some advice.

Mac or PC?

This is easily the biggest question you'll face, and it's not just a matter of what the school recommends. Even on PC campuses, Macs can serve students well: Macs can run a variety of programs (including Boot Camp and Parallels) that enable them to run Windows software just as well as PCs. Even better in some cases. Yes, pound for pound a Mac will almost always be more expensive than a Windows laptop, but many users prefer the operating system and industrial design of a Mac.

On the other hand, don't jump into a Mac without thinking. Macs often have fewer ports and connectivity options than their PC counterparts. If you want an SD card slot, HDMI port, Blu-ray, or other recent connector options, the Mac may not have it. Check carefully before plunking down your credit card.

Screen Size and Weight

Your next big decision is how much laptop are you (or your child) willing to carry, and how big does the screen have to be? I get asked for laptop recommendations every day, and I'm always shocked by how many people say they don't care how much a laptop weighs or how big the screen is. Carry around a three-pound book for an hour. Then, try the same thing with a nine-pound book. You'll change your mind on the importance of weight quickly.

Of course, weight and screen size are wholly intertwined. Ultralights weigh as little as 2.5 pounds, while giant desktop replacements can hit 12 pounds and up. For a student, I recommend either a 15.4-inch screen or a 14-inch screen, with a preference for the former. These computers will settle in comfortably in the 4- to 6-pound area, which should be fine for lugging around campus. Avoid ultralights like the MacBook Air, though. These machines look sexy, but they are often stripped of features and too slow for extended, all-day use.

Graphics

Do you need discrete, high-end graphics? For most students I know, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, I don't recommend a computer without a decent graphics chip, no matter who's buying it, and not just because of gaming. If you're running Vista, the better your graphics card, the better your experience will be. Don't get hung up too much on the brand and model (though obviously avoid Nvidia 8400 and 8600 parts). Both ATI and Nvidia's latest cards are very capable.

CPU and RAM

Look for machines marked as having an Intel Core 2 Duo and preferably Centrino 2, if your budget allows. Don't worry too much about the clock speed of the CPU. You'll save money by dropping down a few notches from the fastest chips available and won't miss the performance. For RAM, get 2GB as a minimum. Three gigabytes or 4GB don't hurt, either (though 32-bit Windows can't access anything beyond 3GB).

Optical Drive

Blu-ray is now becoming a not-too-expensive option on most laptops, but I doubt many students will be burning their allowance on high-def DVDs. A standard DVD burner will work for most and save a little cash.

Hard Drive

Get the biggest you can afford. There's no reason not to upgrade to at least a 160GB hard drive, and 250GB is even better-probably enough to get through four years of college.

Need more help? Check out this post on how to ask me for help for your specific laptop needs.