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