| Not many college students can survive these days | | | | mass “licensing programs†through |
| without their own computer, but do you need to put | | | | participating colleges and universities. Also shop online |
| out the big money for a souped up version, or can you | | | | software clearinghouses for discounted products from |
| make it on the stripped down model? Begin by | | | | all vendors. Many categorize by subject. |
| shopping wisely following these money-saving tips: | | | | Freeware and shareware are a great way to get |
| If you’re buying a computer, save by | | | | your hands on games, utilities, spyware removal, |
| shopping the student specials; discounts, rebates and | | | | anti-virus and firewall programs: |
| back to school specials. Some regions/states even | | | | Tucows features thousands of products free or for |
| have a tax-free shopping week. Apple Computer | | | | just a few bucks-- “rated and |
| offers student discounts to students and teachers, and | | | | reviewed.†|
| consistently advertises important education incentives | | | | Download.com offers free music, videos, games and |
| and rebates. I recently bought an Apple laptop | | | | utilities. |
| because it was bundled with a free Nano iPod and a | | | | Decline extended warranties. Your computer should be |
| free photo printer, copier, scanner. These freebies | | | | under manufacturer’s warranty for the first |
| were rebate items so I had to take the time to fill out | | | | year anyway. Companies dupe you into believing the |
| online applications and attach copies of receipts and | | | | plan is worthwhile. They become rich off your extra |
| bar codes from the packaging, but my total savings | | | | cash. Anything extra is likely just….extra. |
| was close to $400 for some very worthy items. Other | | | | Not only do we suggest you protect your physical |
| computer companies offering student discounts: | | | | property, but you’ll head off future repair bills |
| Dell Computer offers student discounts directly through | | | | if you protect your computer investment with anti-virus |
| a participating college or university. | | | | software and a firewall. Anti-virus and firewall |
| Hewlett Packard’s Academic Purchase | | | | protection will keep your computer in top working order |
| Program is available to eligible students and teachers. | | | | and it will last much longer. When shopping for |
| You have to sign up. Word has it that you can save | | | | software avoid retail electronics departments. Instead |
| around 15% on the purchase of an HP computer. 4 | | | | seek out some good freeware and shareware |
| Should you go for the inexpensive desktop or the | | | | products on the sites we mentioned in #35. |
| snazzy little notebook model? Okay, all college | | | | Your computer printer is a costly headache when the |
| students want a sharp-dressed little laptop they can | | | | ink cartridges run dry. Aaaagh! Cartridges at an office |
| take with them to class or the coffee shop. But if you | | | | supply store can cost you top dollar. Leave with a |
| know you can do without the laptop, you will possibly | | | | black cartridge and a color cartridge and you will likely |
| save hundreds of dollars shopping the desktop models. | | | | have spent $40 or more. |
| Bank the most savings if you opt for a model that | | | | Try shopping for printer cartridges online, compare |
| gets the job done without a lot of extra (read | | | | prices and find free shipping.6 |
| “costlyâ€) bells and whistles. If you | | | | You may be able to get your ink cartridge refilled |
| MUST have a notebook, you may consider exploring | | | | economically from a local ink refilling store like |
| the refurbished notebooks; a used laptop will cost | | | | CartridgeWorld. |
| significantly less than a model not driven off the lot yet, | | | | If you are daring and a do-it-yourself type, ink refill kits |
| and in some cases you can get a darn attractive | | | | can cost as little as $5 per cartridge. |
| warranty and a good system to boot. | | | | Hacker ethic? Lifehacker shows you how to convert |
| While you’re in college don’t take | | | | a laptop into a DVR recording fiend. |
| risks with your electronic equipment. Laptops and other | | | | Have you ever tried to throw away an old computer? |
| trendy little electronics can be made off with quickly in | | | | You cannot just put computer components in the |
| a dorm environment. Unless you’ve bought | | | | trash, and that includes monitors and printers. Old |
| some renter’s insurance, you will foot the bill | | | | inoperable computers must be recycled. Recycling |
| to replace.5 Keep your room locked and valuables | | | | typically costs you money. Facilities that recycle, and |
| stowed. | | | | most municipalities do, must charge for their disposal |
| Software is another high-dollar item. Using Linux | | | | services. Also consider asking if hard drives are |
| software will keep you away from the higher-priced | | | | “de-gaussed.†This means they are |
| Windows alternatives. You can also buy discounted | | | | magnetically erased en masse. Besides municipalities |
| software through Apple’s Education Store. | | | | and recycling businesses, some computer |
| The company specializes in attracting college students | | | | manufacturers such as Dell and Apple provide |
| and offers enticing student discounts and rewards. | | | | customers with their own recycling programs. |
| Microsoft discounts for students come in the shape of | | | | |