Electronic Devices: Smart Phone, Tablets, Laptops and Desktops in College

By Valarie R. Austin, September 20, 2022, 3:30 PM EDT

(Previously Published on Linkedin)

Today, college students have access to an abundance of information at their fingertips due to the internet and electronic devices. Personal electronic device ownership is expected to increase with the need for information; interaction on social media; and desire to work on a project at home, the coffee shop, or other locations. The COVID-19 pandemic also demonstrated that students’ access to computers and broadband internet was essential for distance learning. The U.S. Census Bureau published data that 92% of all households in 2018 “had at least one type of computer and 85% had a broadband internet subscription.” The same report highlighted that smart phone ownership had reached 84% of households. Although computers are available in college/university labs and libraries, many students want to own their personal electronic device for convenience. For potential college students who have never owned a computer, three factors should guide the purchase – budget, hardware and software.

Budget:

College students should establish a budget and a list of must-have features for computer purchases. They should consider buying an electronic device that will last through four to five years of college. With the various brands of tablets, laptops, desktops, Chromebooks, Apple Macs, etc., the price of electronic devices has reduced considerably. The best way to purchase a computer is to compare features among brands and models. Look at a few on-line retailer websites and go into an electronics store to educate yourself about baseline computer features and prices. During your purchase on-line, in a retail box store, or on campus, do not be susceptible to every gratuitous feature you do not need. As a minimum, you must ensure your computer can perform coursework functions such as reading emails, performing internet research, conducting video conferencing, uploading class-related computer programs/software, writing papers, taking online exams/quizzes and creating slide presentations. Other factors to consider when purchasing a computer are its portability, screen size, webcam capability, battery life and ease of typing with the computer’s keyboard or attaching a wired/wireless external keyboard. I recommend you check with your college’s website or Information Technology (IT) Department for recommendations about particular computer system configurations and required software. Also verify if your school offers computer repair support for students. Most manufacturers provide a one-year warranty for parts and labor. You should understand the coverage and select an electronic device that will make your college experience easier. This is why the first step is to establish a budget for your computer purchase.

Hardware:

Processing speed, RAM, and hard drive size are important to your computer’s efficiency. First, processing speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz). It dictates the speed that your computer runs programs and completes tasks. An analogy is a car traveling at 100 miles per hour will travel from point A to point B faster than a car traveling at 30 miles per hour over the same distance. On a chip within the computer, the processor is faster when the GHz is a higher number, i.e., a 2.4 GHz processor is faster than a 1.4 GHz processor. An average person can function well with the lower processing speed that is associated with a low-cost personal computer according to a 2021 Lifewire.com article. In contrast, gamers typically purchase computers with fast processing speeds of at least 3.5 GHz for CPU-intensive gaming. Software applications such as Windows 10/11 will specifically state the minimum necessary processing speed to run the programs. Your anticipated tasks/requirements should determine the appropriate amount of processing speed for your computer purchase.

Now, I’ll address computer RAM, which stands for Random Access Memory. RAM is measured in gigabytes (GB) and stored within your computer. It is the memory needed to access, run multiple programs and store data quickly. Your computer stores and retrieves information faster if you have higher amounts of RAM such as 8 GB versus 4 GB. RAM is similar to a librarian who brings out several, heavy reserved books and returns them to the library’s shelves after use. A slower librarian will take twice as long as an energetic librarian. Average users can work effectively on computers with 8 GB of RAM. In contrast, many gamers purchase computers with 16 GB or more of RAM for creating content, streaming, video editing, or better gaming performance with higher resolution video graphics according to a WePC.com article. Remember, your RAM needs will depend on the specific tasks for your computer, especially if you run multiple, demanding programs at one time.

Finally, the hard drive (HD) stores huge amounts of data within your computer. Similar to the RAM, your hard drive’s storage is measured in gigabytes (GB). With more GB on your HD, you can store more files and information. You can store movies, music, documents, pictures and all sorts of media. Very high resolution 1080p videos and movies often require as much as 14GB of HD space. In the past, some computers only had HDs of 40 GB to 80 GB. Now, laptops have the storage capacity of 256 GB, 512 GB or more. Unless you plan on storing huge amounts of data on your HD, 256 GB should be more than enough for your needs during and after college. In addition, some computer users buy an external HD, which hooks to the computer via a USB-C or Thunderbolt connection. External HDs can increase your data storage with as much as 1 terabyte (TB) of capacity or more. External HDs are great for freeing up space on your computer or backing up data. Since on-line cloud storage through various sites is also available, external HDs are nice-to-haves but not essential.

Software:

Most laptops function with an operating system (OS) such as Windows 10/11 or a macOS version. Layered on the operating system are the software applications that individuals use to complete tasks. Many computer brands do not come with pre-installed software, namely the Microsoft Office Suite of Word, PowerPoint and Excel; Adobe Acrobat to read, edit and/or create .pdfs; and other software applications. Verify the software and license(s) that will come pre-installed on your computer with purchase. Check with your school’s IT Department for available software to student and faculty. Your college/university may offer free or discounted software applications and products. Some manufacturers also may sell annual subscriptions or one-time purchases of proprietary software applications at student discounted rates. There are also free on-line software alternatives such as Microsoft Office online and LibreOffice. It is recommended to research your college coursework needs and a computer brand/model’s pre-installed software before you take the plunge to purchase software applications/programs.

Many students understand that a computer is necessary to their success in college/university. The coursework determines the required features for that electronic device. There are several brands and models that students can compare to find the best computer to purchase. Budget, hardware and software should be the criteria for any computer purchase. Your academic activities should not be hindered by an outrageously expensive computer that is not meeting your needs. Educate yourself about your options and find the computer that you will enjoy during and after your college years.

Have a great semester!

 

Valarie R. Austin is the author of The Student’s Comprehensive Guide for College & Other Life Lessons. She has a wealth of knowledge on the subjects of career and college preparation. She also conducts career and college readiness workshops for high school students and parents. Check out her author’s pages on https://www.linkedin/in/valarie-r-austin, https://www.goodreads.com/valarie_r_austin and https://www.amazon.com/author/valarie_r_austin. A Youtube.com review of her book can found at https://youtu.be/xy_GSHlJsa0. This article was edited by Raffie Johnson. Copyright 2022, Vauboix Publishing LLC. Like, comment and/or share this article! (Article 2 of 5, fall 2022)