Students Need Computers
There are two choices to prevent lap top theft: one is the trusty security cable, which every parent buys for about 30 bucks, and no kid really uses. This cable locks into the security slot of the laptop and will stop only the casual thief. I bought one for my son. I have never seen it since the day I purchased it. Lap tops are movie screens, game screens and chat screens. The cable is just too much trouble for most students.
This leaves us the other choice which is a product like Lojack for Laptops. JAMES DERK, Scripps Howard News Service recommends a CompuTrace product that will "phone home" when your stolen laptop is ever plugged into the Internet. This product, which costs about $35 a year depending on where you get it, even works if the computer's hard drive has been formatted in many cases. (CompuTrace is also available direct from many computer manufacturers upon purchase of the laptop, too.)
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James also recommends a minimum of 2 gigs of RAM these days, a minimum of 100 gig hard drive and a 14-inch screen. (Larger screens equal more weight and less battery life.) A portable optical mouse is required these days and a stack of recordable DVDs. He recommends a lecture about backing up some data once in a while but I would have a heck of a time fielding any questions beyond the actual lecture. You might just say it to cover your bases.
Also, tell your child to seek out a computer geek immediately. I recommend this even to my adults that move around the world. First thing you do is get wired in. For students I recommend buying the computer with the extended warranty from a store like Best Buy which is usually found in most college towns. They also have the Geek Squad that makes home visits. My son bought a lemon of a lap top but after 3 trips to the repair shop, Best Buy made good on giving him a new computer of equal value of what I paid for the original one.
If your student is a geek, tell them they have a business opportunity. Encourage their entrepreneurial spirit to form a little business for pocket money. They need to post their skill on the community bulletin board, Craigs List etc... with their hourly rate. Then it is established before everyone expects it for free.
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