[Molten]

Originally Posted by Dave Flowerday

In fact, the more I think about it, my recommendation for an incoming freshman might be to buy a cheap machine (low-end or used laptop, or netbook, something less than $3-400) since in your first year or two you're likely to only need Internet and some word processing and other generic tools that will run on any machine. Save the big $$$ you'd spend on a new Mac or Windows laptop and buy that towards the end of your sophomore year, when you have a better understanding of what software tools you'll be using (and when the machines have gotten more powerful for the same cost).

This is an excellent idea. Besides, by the time you get to your junior year, almost any laptop you get will be 'outdated'. I will say there is one tool I've used on my computer for school that has taken decent amount of work and that was to use remote desktop. Our school has these so I can use software on my computer without getting software on my computer. Not sure how much strain that is, but it is convenient.