Whether you’re a recent high-school graduate or an old pro on campus, you’re about to start another semester of studies. In a previous article I’ve listed the high-tech gadgets you’ll need to survive. Folks will argue about what I put in and what I left out, but almost nobody will disagree with one item on the list: A desktop is a must-have item for a college student. From writing papers to sending email to doing research via the Internet, it’s an invaluable tool to help you with your education. And there’s an additional benefit, too. It provides cheap entertainment (listening to CDs, playing DVDs, playing games) that can be very important to a budget-constrained college student.

desktop technology is constantly being updated and upgraded and replaced. New applications are introduced which require technology that didn’t even exist in the mainstream just a some years ago. Programs require more hard disk space to load, more memory to run, and in the case of desktop games, more robust audio and video requirements to make those realistic shoot-em-up games look and sound more realistic. As a result, the desktop from two or three years ago may not have the power you need to do everything you want to do today.

So, are you looking at your current desktop system and thinking you need something a little more up-to-date? Or are you a first-time desktop buyer? If you’re in the market for a desktop and you’re not sure what you need to get, here’s a list of items you’ll need to consider before you (or your parents!) lay down those hard-earned dollars.

A desktop-literate friend. No, you’re not buying one. But if you’re a desktop newbie, or not up on the latest technology, it doesn’t hurt to have somebody you can turn to who is familiar with the industry and can explain some of the high-tech terminology to make the process less confusing. Use (but please don’t abuse!) this valuable resource and save yourself some time, trouble, and money.

PC or Mac? This is the biggest decision you’ll have to make when looking at a new system. For years the debate has raged as to which desktop is “better". The answer is: Both. Each has an area where it excels. The Mac’s strengths are in multimedia (graphics design, audio/video), and are made even more powerful with the new suite of applications called iLife. The PC’s biggest strengths are its large vendor base of commercial applications and a surplus of supported hardware. Price is becoming less of an issue as Apple gets more aggressive with its pricing, and as vendors continue to develop applications that allow hardware- and -specific products to be used on either platform. My recommendation: If your major is in something like graphics design, music, or any of the high-tech communications fields, seriously consider the Mac, because that’s what folks are using in those industries. If you need something that’ll run your business applications well and will give you a well-established library of programs to choose from, then the PC is your best bet. If you still can’t decide, check to see what your college is using in its libraries and desktop labs, and go with that. At least you’ll be compatible with what they’re using on campus.

Desktop or laptop? Your second-biggest decision is whether to anchor yourself to a desk or to go portable. If you think you might need computing ability on the move, then a laptop is your choice. Be sure to keep in mind that portability costs money. All other things being equal, a laptop will cost more than a comparably-equipped desktop. You have the added issue of ease of theft/loss. If you have a tendency to leave things lying around and then forget to take them with you, stick with the desktop!

Memory (RAM). Now it’s time to start looking at memory. The more memory your system has, the more quickly it will load and run applications (including the operating system), process information, perform calculations, and so on. Most operating systems give a recommended minimum amount of memory that they need to be able to run. (Windows XP, for example, requires a minimum of 128M – megabytes – of RAM to run.) That’s great, if all you want to run on your desktop is the operating system. You’ll need more memory if you want to run other applications. A good rule of thumb is to take the minimum amount of RAM the operating system requires and multiply by eight. That means for Windows XP, you want at least 128M x 8, or 1G – gigabyte – of RAM to allow your applications to run smoothly. That seems like a lot, but if you want this desktop to last you for two to three years, you’ll need that extra memory.

Hard drive. Now you need a place to store all those programs and data files you’ll be using. How much disk space you need depends on the types of files you plan on keeping. Generally, multimedia file types like music, graphics, and video are larger than text-based documents such as word-processing and spreadsheet files. You’ll need to take into consideration what programs you want to run immediately, and then figure in extra space for programs you might want to run in the future. Prices are very reasonable, with 160G hard drives running around $150. If that sounds like too much disk space for you, you’re not thinking far enough ahead to avoid spending extra money down the road for an upgrade.

Printer. Unless your professors accept homework assignments via email (don’t laugh – some do!), you’ll need a printer to make hard copies. The current generation of color inkjet printers produce good-quality output and can be purchased starting at around $50. If you want to get fancy, you can get a combination printer/copier/scanner/fax machine (called an all-in-one) for under $150. Be sure to factor in the cost of paper and ink cartridges. Helpful hint: 20-lb paper is what most people use in their printers today. I recommend using 24-lb paper instead. A heftier paper that holds up well, you can feel the difference (which means your instructors will too) and it’s not that much more expensive than the 20-lb variety. It’s a way to get your reports to stand out without having to go the fancy expensive paper route.

CD/DVD drive. These days, CD drives come standard with almost every desktop, and many come with a drive that reads both CDs and DVDs. If you plan on making your own CDs and DVDs, you’ll need to spend the extra money on a “burner" (a drive that lets you create CDs and DVDs from scratch). Remember that this isn’t used purely for entertainment purposes. Data files can be burned to CD or DVD to transfer from one desktop to another, or to store particularly large files, like databases or collections of graphics or music. to make that drive work properly is usually included with the drive itself.

Peripherals. What other things do you need to attach to your desktop? How about that digital camera? Your iPod or MP3 player? Your iPAQ or Palm Pilot? Maybe even your cell phone? If you have these devices and you plan on connecting them to your desktop for whatever reason, make sure you have the proper cables to do so. If you’re buying them for the first time, verify what you purchase will connect to your desktop, and that any and hardware needed is included with your device.

Applications. What programs are included with the new system? Will the programs let you do what you want, or are you going to need to purchase additional ? Whatever other packages are included, make sure your new desktop includes virus-scanning (if you choose to go with a Mac, this won’t be an issue). Also demand a backup solution, whether it’s included in the operating system or a separate program. You need to be able to make extra copies of your data in the event of a catastrophic incident. Be leery of “free" programs the vendor promises you that include photocopied manuals or CDs with handwritten labels – they could be an indication of pirated , and that’s illegal! Finally, make sure the vendor (or your desktop-literate friend) shows you how to set up your system so that you have to enter a password to use it. Not password-protecting your desktop is pretty much extending an open invitation for unlimited use to anybody who walks by. (And a quick message to Mom and Dad – c’mon, folks. Spring for a couple of games. Remember, all work and no play…!)

Warranties and insurance. Don’t skip these crucial items when choosing your system. Generally, if hardware is going to fail on a new desktop, it’ll do so within the first 90 days. Because of this, most vendors include a 90-day warranty at no charge. If you think that will be enough for you, think again. If your hard drive dies five days before your mid-term reports are due, will you be able to buy the right hard drive, install it, format it, install and update the operating system, and restore your data to it? If not, then you most definitely need a long-term warranty. Ask about warranties where the vendor sends someone out to replace the defective part on site. These are usually available in one-, two-, and three-year increments. Also check to see if existing insurance policies (yours or your parents’) cover lost, damaged, or stolen desktop equipment. If not, add that cost to your total desktop outlay, especially if you’re living on campus in a dorm or if you’re purchasing a laptop. Hopefully you’ll never need to use it, but if the worst ever happens, you’ll be glad you spent the additional money.

Price. Ah, NOW we’re down to the nitty-gritty! With companies running all kinds of specials both in-store and on the Internet, it’s confusing. The best way to avoid the confusion is to determine ahead of time what features you want in a desktop system, and then visit three or four vendors with your list of requirements. Get a written price from each vendor so you can compare apples to apples. Don’t be afraid to take your price quotes with you when shopping. If you can show a particular vendor what his competition is offering, he may be able to give you a better deal on the same system.

Sounds like a lot of work, doesn’t it? Sure, there’s some advance preparation required, but by the time you’re all done, you’ll have the system you want at a price you can be happy with. Then you can buckle down and start studying – right after you play a some of those games, and add all your friends to your email address book, and check out the latest cool Web sites, and...!