College computing made easy

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Here is what to consider:

• Operating systems. There are three major operating systems for consumer PCs: Microsoft’s Windows, Apple’s Macintosh and Linux, the open-source system provided by different developers, and in some cases available free.

Begin by finding out if the college or university has a preference. Even departments within individual schools may have different requirements. For example, the University of Texas’ College of Education specifically requires those seeking a teaching degree to have a Macintosh laptop.

It may also help to know something about your student’s field of study. Art and design majors, for example, will probably need a Macintosh, while those studying business will definitely want a Windows-based PC. Computer science majors could go with either, though Linux is also a good choice.

Link: Houston Chronicle