Laptops

If you are thinking about purchasing a laptop, you probably want to look for a system that is at least comparable to the Dell Latitude E6430 example system (see PDF below). You'll want an Intel Core i5 processor, 4 to 8 GB of RAM, a wireless network card (b/g bands), and a display that has clear sharp text. If the laptop model you've chosen can support an add-in video card, you may wish to add that also. Laptops are available in a number of size, though 14 inch and 15inch are the most common. These tend to have the best balance between weight, mobility, and performance. There are also 17-inch models which are nice to work on because of the size of their display, but are cumbersome if you have to carry them around very much.

You'll also want to think about what kind of warranty to buy for your laptop. Laptops lead harsher lives, and are usually harder and more expensive to repair than desktops. If you break something on a desktop, and it's out of warranty, it's still probably relatively ease to fix. Not so much with laptops. Laptops on UK's Dell Educational sites come with a three-year on-site warranty. If you configure a system from Dell's full catalogue, you'll need to choose the length of the warranty. As a rule, the life span of a laptop is typically three years so keep that in mind when deciding how much to spend on the warranty.

Finally, if you buy a laptop, you should consider adding accidental damage coverage to the normal warranty - if it's available. This is the warranty that typically cover the display, and damage from falls or liquids.

Example system

The following sample configuration isbased on UK's departmental standard configurations:

Dell Latitude E6430 example system (PDF)

You might also want to check http://www.dell.com/coupons for any special deals that Dell might be offering on laptops. Code shown on this page can be used when you checkout to increase your savings.

Operating System Note:

UK has not yet adopted Windows 8 as a standard, and many software packages that students use have not yet been certified to work with this version of Windows. This will change, but you may want to consider purchasing Windows 7 on your laptop for now, and upgrading to Windows 8 in the future. Older laptops with Windows XP are also acceptable.