It’s almost that time of year again. Parents are holding back tears (sometimes of joy) as their sons and daughters pack for that first trip to the college dormitory. Here’s some serious (and tongue-in-cheek) techno-tips for back-to-school, college style.

By now you should know if your child’s school requires each student to have their own computer. Some universities even provide each student with a computer upon entering (included in tuition, of course). Others don’t require a personal computer, and have computer labs where students can do research, complete computer-specific projects, or just type and print term papers. These labs may be across the campus from the dorm, and may cause more late night trips across the dark campus than you want your son/daughter to take.

Many modern college dormitories are far more “networked” than your home or office. Make sure the computer you send them off to school with has an Ethernet card. How else are they going to illegally download all those MP3s?

Everything else being equal, which is better – desktop or laptop? To my recollection, space is somewhat limited in dorm rooms, so if you go with a desktop, think small footprint. A flat-panel display may be a few dollars more but will take up far less space than a bulky CRT display.
Laptops have a very small footprint, and of course have the added advantage of mobility. Today’s laptops have more than enough “oomph” (technical term for “power”) to handle almost all undergraduate projects with ease. To make the laptop easier to use when it’s on the dorm desk, send along a mouse and keyboard. Also, make sure to get a good bag, with a padded sleeve to slide the laptop into to protect it from other things (like books, hopefully) that will get carried along with it. And, I would definitely purchase an extended warranty program for a laptop, as they (even the sturdy Apple iBook) are more prone to damage and expensive to repair. Also, have them use a security cable that can be threaded through a slot in the computer case, and around a fairly immovable object, like a desk.

Whether desktop or laptop, get as much RAM as you can afford, and get an optical drive that can at least view DVDs and read/write CDs. Processor speed and hard drive space are less of a concern, as you’re not really encouraging playing computer games. Speaking of that, don’t send along an X Box or PlayStation, either.

You may also want to consider an ink-jet printer, something in the $99 to $129 range, and some extra black ink cartridges.

How about staying in touch? I mean, how can they let you know they need more money, besides making a sign for a televised football game? I would send my coed to school with a cell phone, with specific instructions to use it only for emergencies, or to call her mother and me. Then, after the first whopping cell phone bill, I would take it away from him/her. Seriously, the wired dorm room of today should make emailing a snap. Moms and Dads, learn how to use Instant Messaging before they head off to school – it’s a great (and free) way to get caught up, and you can send pictures and other files through it. And, if you’re on a Mac, you can even audio and video chat, again, for free. Although, your college kid may not want you to see the laundry stacked up in the background. But, hey, doing laundry is a great reason to come home for a visit.

© 2003 Peter F. Zimowski