AAA Hoosier Motor Club
July 2005 Issue
AAA Hoosier Motor Club e-Letter
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Back to School Is Around the Corner...How to Select PC Equipment for Your College Student

Gateway logoWhether you're trying to help your freshman start college off on the right foot or are hoping to give your long-term student a boost in his academic career, a notebook PC is just the thing that could make a critical impact on your student's success. Plus, a notebook PC will also give him a means for entertainment when his studies are complete. Your AAA discount with Gateway can help you get your college student the notebook that is just right for him.

Unlike a larger desktop PC, notebook PCs can be used virtually anywhere, anytime, whether it's in a classroom taking notes or listening to digital music at a dorm social. When buying a notebook PC, here's what you should consider:

  • Look Ma, no wires! Most notebook PCs today come with integrated wireless technology, which allows access to high-speed Internet without being connected by a cable. Wireless is especially popular on college campuses, where students can share high-speed Internet access in common areas such as the library and student union. Access to the Internet will help your student take advantage of valuable downtime between classes to conduct online research or keep in touch by e-mail.
  • Don't break their backs with a heavy and bulky notebook PC. Power and performance can now be packed into a small form factor that weighs less than six pounds. With a thin and light notebook, your student will be more likely to take it on a trek across campus and use it during classes, for library research, and in study groups.
  • Widescreen display boosts fun and productivity. Most people think of a widescreen display on a notebook PC as a great way to watch a DVD movie - and they're right. But there is also a productivity benefit to a widescreen display; the wider notebook size provides room for a full-sized keyboard, so the notebook is easier and more comfortable to use. Look for a notebook that combines the above features into a sleek, powerful product. For example, the Gateway M210 marries a thin and light 5-pound design with standard integrated wireless technology, a 14.1-inch WXGA widescreen display, and a full-sized keyboard.

After choosing the right notebook, look at the many types of accessories that are now available. The right accessories will help your college student get even more out of her notebook, whether it's being used for work or play. Think about the following:

  • A wireless router is a great idea for students living off campus. It will let them connect their notebook to a high-speed Internet modem wirelessly, much like the wireless connection available on campus. With it, students can take advantage of the built-in wireless technology in their notebook and don't have to rely on being connected by a cable. There are several reputable brands, including D-Link and Netgear.
  • Notebook speakers are a great accessory for college students who will use their notebook PC to watch DVD movies or listen to digital music. Many brands provide amazingly clear sound, easily connect to the display when the PC is opened, and can even be connected to an MP3 player. Also, most run on inexpensive AAA batteries, so they don't need to be plugged into an outlet.
  • A Web cam will let your college student record a video message or use an Internet connection to communicate with you and others via live video. This is a great way to keep in touch - and if your student uses it, you'll get to see if he's adopted a new college-inspired hairstyle.
  • A flash drive is a small keychain-sized device that connects to a notebook's USB port. Flash drives can house any type of file - photos, music, or data - giving students an easy way to transport their files between PCs. They typically range in capacity from 128MB to 2GB.
  • An extra battery is a great idea for students who use their notebook without plugging into an outlet most of the time. Most notebook batteries recharge while the notebook is plugged in and running.
  • A carrying case is a necessity for students who will take their notebook PC with them as they travel around campus. Today's carrying cases come in lots of interesting styles and colors - more than just basic black! Check out ones from Targus and Mobile Edge.
  • An extra AC adaptor - the plug that connects the notebook to the outlet - is a must for the many students who attend a local college or come home on weekends for a break from campus life. Buying your college student an extra AC adaptor to keep at home is an inexpensive way to save your student from an unproductive weekend after forgetting her AC adaptor at school.
  • A notebook cable lock is ideal for protecting a notebook against theft, which is especially important considering that dorm rooms are often left unlocked. The lock is connected to the notebook and then physically anchored to a desk, table, or other equipment via a looped steel cable.
  • Security software suites, like the Gateway Complete Security Bundle, offer a collection of programs that address the many digital threats that can damage a notebook PC. Typically, such software suites perform a wide range of functions that optimize the overall PC system performance, including protecting against known viruses and worms; seeking out undesired programs; disabling existing spyware, adware, and other programs; and maintaining system privacy and security while online.
  • Look into an added protection plan that includes an extended warranty, as well as an accidental damage plan (where available), which covers repair or replacement of parts due to accidental circumstances such as impacts, drops, spilled liquid, immersion in liquid, and power surges. Most PC companies, like Gateway, offer such extended protection plans, and they're well worth it. Students face all sorts of new obstacles in college, but at least a plan like this will keep their notebook protected.

Save when you purchase a computer at Gateway...


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