Re: College computer

"nb" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:oFR0f.167222$p_1.59209@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<ahall@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:kpgpsqkqej4.fsf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

Our eldest is a senior in high school,
so I am starting to think about what
type of computer to get her for college.

She will be majoring in science, probably
chemistry, perhaps biology.

I am thinking that a fairly light weight
notebook makes sense --- the Latitude 410
might be a good match.

I was having a bit of trouble fully understanding
the options.  The optical drive seems to be limited
to an external device of some sort --- there
seemed to be a docking station that the machine
fits into, with two bays (one optical, the other
extra hard drive or battery or extra optical), the
2nd a cabled device with just one bay.  Is this
correct?

Would putting a 2nd hard drive in the base module
be a decent backup solution?  Or stick with a separate
external drive?

Would an external monitor make sense for use in the
dorm room?  12.1 is pretty small...

Any thing else I am missing?


--
Andrew Hall
(Now reading Usenet in alt.sys.pc-clone.dell...)

You may want to consider getting one with XP Pro versus Home. Many college campuses require it.

You might consider the 610 with a 14.1 screen. Then
you wouldn't need to get an additional monitor. It also
has a built in optical drive. XPPro is essential. My son
tells me though that he moves his around infrequently so that
the Inspiron 6000 suits him just fine. 

.