Wednesday, December 24, 2008

How to Choose a Laptop for Your Student

By John Kessler

In this computer-centric age, kids as young as fourth grade will find it difficult to complete their school work without access to a computer. One option that's appropriate for children through adults is the mini laptop. Mini laptops are relatively inexpensive and very portable. The mini laptop is small enough to fit in a standard backpack, even when in a protective case.

With many netbooks in the market today, you can get lost just comparing specifications. But you really don't have to get lost, and that's because there are netbooks that are made specifically for students.

Lenovo IdeaPad S10e

One of the the top mini laptops for students is the Lenovo IdeaPad S10e. This laptop features DeviceVM's Splashtop application; an instant-on feature that allows access to certain applications without booting the netbook's operating system. This mini can go from backpack to note-taking in under 30 seconds!

The Lenovo IdeaPad S10e enables students to access their email, research the Internet and chat with friends. The IdeaPad S10e was designed specifically for students from kindergarten to college. The IdeaPad S10e has an Intel Atom processor, a 80GB hard drive or 4GB Solid State Drive. The IdeaPad S10e comes with either Windows XP Home or Novell's Suse Linux and features either a 3-cell or 6-cell battery. The price is right for this mini laptop, available online for as little as $360.

ASUS Eee PC 900

The ASUS Eee PC 900 netbook is a lightweight mini laptop that is easy to use and inexpensive. This netbook is typically sold for as little as $369 online. It is popular with users and has received rave reviews. Like all netbooks, the ASUS Eee PC 900 is a downsized version of a standard computer, so expect ease-of-use without the odd key placement found on some mini laptops. The ASUS Eee PC 900 with 1GB RAM and a 16 GB Solid State Drive (on Linux OS) sells for $369 on Amazon. - 16039

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