Went to Office Depot today and bought an HP with an AMD10 processor. I researched the difference between an AMD and Intel and was told that the amd10 is similar to an Intel I 5 processor. Kids have already downloaded Google Chrome so they can work on their projects and seem happy.

A high school student should know what he needs. Just give him a budget and let him pick something. I wouldn't spend a fortune if you expect to replace it before college (which might depend what grade he's in). I bought my DC an upgraded MacBook Air right before senior year and don't anticipate getting her a new one before college (she'll just need to add MS Office through the college and maybe a backup hard drive).

We just went shopping for a laptop but didn't buy one yet.

I note that weight varies, and matters. We are looking at little ones because my kid has a monitor at home to plug into. I might make a different choice if he didn't.

I thought that the touvch screen ones had no battery life.

They are still selling some windows 8 machines, which you should avoid.

I was surprised how expensive reasonably light ones are.

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm pretty sure he's still going to need Microsoft office products offline. Pardon my ignorance, but can you do that on a Chromebook?

No, you cannot put any software in a Chromebook. They are solely for use "in the cloud" and useless if you don't have Internet access. We gave DS a Chromebook in 5th. He just got a MacAir for 9th. DD, in 6th, has a Chromebook which will also get replaced with a full laptop when she gets to 9th grade.

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I'm pretty sure he's still going to need Microsoft office products offline. Pardon my ignorance, but can you do that on a Chromebook?

I think you probably can. PGCPS allows free use of MSOffice. Check the requirements on pgcps.edu

OP again. I'm pretty sure he's still going to need Microsoft office products offline. Pardon my ignorance, but can you do that on a Chromebook?

Anonymous wrote:If you are in FCPS I would go for a chrome book. the school's have recommended models. It was only $250, so on the scale of risk and $ mistakes not too bad. Hoping to get 4 years out of it.

Don't over think it. How much do you spend on monthly music lessons or sports gear or sport fees?

This is helpful Thanks. We are in PG, but much of his middle school work is done in the cloud already.

If you are in FCPS I would go for a chrome book. the school's have recommended models. It was only $250, so on the scale of risk and $ mistakes not too bad. Hoping to get 4 years out of it.

Don't over think it. How much do you spend on monthly music lessons or sports gear or sport fees?

MacBook air

Mac air

I bought one Toshiba for my kids and one ASUS for me in Dec. and we are happy with both. I bought a Dell for me first and it was a disaster out of the box. Shipped it back to Amazon and got the ASUS. Mine is a touchscreen.... I don't really use that feature much. Isn't necessary.

The Toshiba was right around $400 -- Core i5, 8GB.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For school work, for a high school student. TIA.

I'd recommend getting one. They're great.

Oh, PP, really?

Thanks. Lol. Was looking for a recommendation on model & brand. Any reason not to get a Dell?

Anonymous wrote:For school work, for a high school student. TIA.

I'd recommend getting one. They're great.

For school work, for a high school student. TIA.