... on Campus

The best tool for anyone is their system, or computer if you will. Now it doesn't need to be fancy or overblown with features, but it needs to be reliable. After years of working in retail computer sales while providing service and maintenance, I have learned to focus on on that one simple factor: Reliability! You don't want to be messing around wondering what's wrong with your system or paying someone $60-$80-$100/hr to try to fix it! A computer is a tool, and unless you want to tinker with your system, invest in the right tool that will last you.
As well, this initial investment may be handled as some sort of graduation present or a personal pize you give yourself for a job well done.

The moral of the story: Get yourself a good system to start with, save yourself hassles later!

Now cost is always something to consider, but I feel that if you spend your money in the right way at the right time, you can maximize your value.

Now what do I mean by all of this: Let's say you are a college student, or are intending to be one. In the typical campus setting such as one found at UAF, you will have a surprising amount of technological resources available.

The major components that we need to consider when it comes to survival on the modern campus:

1. System: What are we going to use for our research or papers or even entertainment? I am a fan of laptops for the college student. With the technological advances in hard-drive size and RAM capabilities, the laptop is no longer 2ndary system and can easily become a singular workhorse.
• Why laptop? The answer is simple, portability. By being portable you can adjust to to the needs of your work-flow and be fully prepared all the time. Whether you are meeting up with a study group or just trying to find some peace and quiet from the dorm ruckus, a laptop will allow you adapt as the environments change
• Why not rely on computer labs? Simple, they're unreliable. Not in the sense that they will closed when you expect them to open, but more that they may not be open when you are ready to study or need to crunch out something for early the next morning (much like what is happening here now with this blog :-) Plus I have never felt the lab environment is conducive to long term study
• What laptop? Here comes the reliability factor. As a veteran IT person, I have had the pleasure of working with a variety of brands and various types of computer systems and peripherals. in this experience i have come to trust a few very reliable and or responsive vendors or manufacturers. One of which is where I exclusively buy my PC laptops from; Dell. Now I am not saying that every Dell laptop is the best ever, the truth in computing is typically you get what you pay for . With that said, I recommend spending a bit more on the initial system, in ways that will pay for themselves in the future. Now what is a bot m
• Now what is a bit more? To me, this is enough to protect my investment, for the life span that I am needing it to be reliable. for me, this means buying an extended warranty and extended crash protection if available. By purchasing extended care & warranty, not only do you tend to get more responsive service, you are ensuring that you a system for at least for the first 3-4 years of school.
• From Where? Almost anywhere. Always check to make sure that the vendor is reputable, but most campuses and even Dell itself, has some kind of Higher Education discount or special offerings. I have gone ahead and included a quote for best choice laptop from Dell. Although this cost may seem to be trimmed, I had quoted what I feel is key to the system's life span; Large HD so upgrades will not be needed soon, maxxed RAM for same reason and the big jump will be in the extended warranty and crash protection. these components are your insurance for a single investment that is expected to go the distance.
• I put one together with what I would (and have recently) deployed as a high use, high availability portable. (please see PDF pasted below)
2. HELP! to borrow a once popular phrase; 'Who you gonna' call?' or email or walk-up and say hi to?
•  Most campuses are going to have some sort of dedicated IT staff learn their telephone number, email address etc. 
• Find out what their support levels include. Typically most campuses will favor one platform or the other. Although you can find pockets of guru's to prefer one OS to the other, it is important to remember that unless you intend on working on your own system, it is important to have some kind of support circle or group to help along
3. Location, location, location!: Know where the labs are. Jot down their hours of operations and relationship to your dorm or other common activities. I would also suggest the coffee shops and 24/7 mini-marts for late night cup-of-joe!
4. Computer Labs: Will almost always be available to any and all students. This is one way to avoid the expense of a computer system, but i feel it is not the right place to save money. Although labs can be very helpful, they are not always convenient. 
5. ...Labs: Are also be where you'll want to do your printing. I see no sense in buying a printer when they are found all around campus and available free or very reasonable for when you need to print.