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The first and most important question you need to ask yourself before you buy a computer specifically to use for student work is whether or not it is actually needed. Most courses currently ask for computer written essays, some require computers to run the programs used for the course while others do not require the student to own a computer at all. However the number of courses which don't use a computer are declining swiftly and you will find that in the future it is impossible to complete a course without the use of a machine to help.

When buying a computer for a student there are several factors which you need to consider carefully before making a purchase;

Look at the course the student will be doing. Do they need a computer to do the course? Does the course recommend any particular type or specification of computer for the student to use? What sort of work will the student be doing and will this require a computer? If the answer is generally a "yes" then you need to start looking for the right machine for the course. Contacting the university or college is always a good idea as they will be able to answer any queries you have and tell you what type of computer the student needs to complete the course.
Choosing between a desktop computer and a laptop will be your next challenge as a buyer. Most of the time a desktop is the best computer for a student, as it can be easily upgraded over the duration of the course if it needs to be, and if it is for a younger child then the computer can grow with them and be improved to match their needs at each stage of their development. Laptops are ideal for older users or for students that will be doing a lot of presentations or who need their work to be mobile. Laptops are good for writing documents on and for simple work. Due to their portability they are also good for first year students as this means they can visit a friend while doing their work.
You need to know what the computer will be used for in order to buy the right sort of model. If the student is going to be spending a lot of time working on high definition 3D models, then they will need a desktop computer with a lot of RAM, a good sized hard drive, and a decent graphics card. Whereas a student who just wants a computer to use for writing assignments on and browsing the internet for research will need something that is of a lower specification than the previous computer, such as a laptop or low spec desktop computer.

With these points in mind you can begin to search for the best deal for the student you need to buy the computer for. Look online and ask in electronics stores about the type of computer that you want. Some places do special deals specifically designed for students. Most online computer stores are cheaper than places such as Currys or PC World, but it will take longer for the computer to get to you because they have to post it to you. You will also be charged for postage whereas electronic stores will give you the machine there and then.

Choosing the right kind of computer for a student can take a while to sort out but is worth the effort. There is nothing worse than having a machine which does not work how you expected. Careful research into what is needed and where to get it from should ensure you get the machine that is ideal for your scenario and needs.

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