How in the world can anyone decide on a new laptop? It’s a challenge I tell you and our family needed to make a choice.
With our eldest taking his PC nine hours away to college and four others vying for my computer, it just wasn’t working. Since three of our children are taking a few online classes, they suddenly had the excuse that they couldn’t do school because I was on the computer and I will definitely not be their excuse.
From my research, I knew the key in searching for a laptop was a more efficient Core processor. The processor is important because it is like the “brains” of the PC, and if you don’t have a good core processor, then it runs slow or lags.
I am ALWAYS hearing from my teens, “Mom, you have to many applications running and the computer keeps freezing up.” I am a huge computer multi-tasker and often, I have a minimum of six things going at a time. I have twitter, email, my blog, virus protection, skype etc. Well, having a dual core computer is like having two brains in one, and I need that.
The first question anyone should ask themselves when buying a new PC is “What am I going to do with it?” This helps determine if you want a thin and light laptop, a full featured laptop, a desktop etc. You all know that I feel strongly about setting a budget.
Determine what you can afford, without going into debt, and then buy the best core processor you can afford. I always thought it was just about the model of computer, but more importantly, it’s about the features like storage, memory and the processor.
I asked what laptop a computer guru recommended for students, and there answer wasn’t so much about the type of computer as picking out the core processor. Here is their response,
“Students are doing lots of multi-tasking, and the laptop needs to be their entertainment and work center all-in-one. The Intel Core i3 is an entry level system and the Core i7 is a great high-end system (hard core gamers love it, for example). The Core i5 powered laptop meets the needs of most of today’s students because they 1) require mobility and great battery life (they are moving around the campus, at home, the library etc.); 2) they need performance to multitask without getting the dreaded hourglass – lag time (taking notes, listening to music, IM’ing friends, watching video/TV etc.; and 3) they need “power” for things like video and photo editing.”
We choose this amazing HP Pavilion from Staples (the store we love and are at much too often :)) because we needed something for our kids with a larger screen for easier viewing, (no need to play video games on it), and it has the new Windows 8, which takes some getting used to but is fabulous once the learning curve is established. It’s perfect for their classes and all the general needs of our family.
You can see all the Staples Laptop and they are continually offering great sales and rebates.
Now for a fun giveaway, one of you will get to pick out a Staples backpack (up to $100). (This giveaway is now closed)
With our son heading to college, I told him to pick out a backpack that could take the wear and tear of college life, hold lots of heavy books, and has an area dedicated to protecting his laptop.
When he should me the one he picked out, I loved that he pointed out the special shoulder straps designed to reduce stress and pressure on his shoulders. Can you tell he knows the pain of a heavy load? (Yes, complete with football team haircut.)
Full disclosure: Staples.com
Crayons and other supplies that I donate to a new teacher’s class in our local elementary school.
Love the cute messenger bag my son pick out
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a new package of pencil crayons…all the same length and presharpend!
I always love the colored pencils and crayons, but we actually need a laptop, so this is timely for us; thanks!
We just went through the laptop comparison thing for our sweet girl – she saved and bought her own after lots of research and patient waiting for a sale. She loves it! No more sharing with her brother! I love to back to school shopping – even though we homeschool I love to get the sales at Staples on all the things we might need during the year!
Backpacks with computer storage and power ports and USB ports!
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No back to school purchases for us yet- my daughter is only 2! 🙂
I follow you on Pinterst, and repinned.
I like you on FB 🙂
And I follow by email with my blog email address (quantumnarumi at yahoo)
My daughter’s lunchbox. I found a makeup bag with the brand that is her name, and we are using it as a lunchbag. No need to label it 🙂
i always loved the pencils, pencil colors and crayons! all that fun stuff! 😉
i follow you on pinterest and pinned your ‘mums in pumpkins’!
i follow you on instagram!
I follow you on pinterest and instagram 😉
Colorful clipboards to match all my color-grouped Sunday School classes! My kids got new backpacks this year, but are already saying they are too small… and I am ready for a new laptop, too—if only the budget was ready! Blessings!
I subscribed to your emails!
I could definitely use a faster computer!!!
I enjoy buying backpacks and folders for my kids.
I Follow you on pinterest(Kelly Saver) and pinned your recipe post
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/170925748331011646/
I like you on FB(Kelly D Saver)
I Follow you on instagram(Kellywcu)
My favorite back-to-school purchase was my Dell Inspiron laptop the semester I started college. Loved it! I’ve since replaced it with a MacBook, but my first laptop holds a special place in my heart. And YES, I tend to get attached to my computers – could you tell? 😉
I follow you on Pinterest and I pinned this post: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/220113500511329944/
Colored pencils and crayons! 🙂
poly covered notebooks.
i love buying new notebooks for back to school
i already follow you on pinterest @lyndagp813
My favorite back to school purchase was at Kohl’s. I bought my grandson several new outfits that were on sale and I used a coupon.
I follow you on Pinterest
http://www.pinterest.com/janetwatson/boards/
and pinned.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/171418329540259217/
I like Balancing Beauty and Bedlam’s Facebook Fan page
Janet Watson
I follow you on Instagram
http://instagram.com/janet3rdgrade
I subscribe to your emails.
The large 64 count box of crayons was always my favorite.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I love all new school supplies! This year along with all the supplies we purchased for the kids, I purchased some colorful folders to organize my “to try” recipes!
I follow you on pinterest and pinned your great idea for gratitude leaves, love that there is a free printable with it!
I’ve been a facebook fan forever!
Following you on instagram!
I’m currently an email subscriber!
Favorite back to school purchase: Lunchbox
I follow you on Pinterest.
I always loved buying a new lunchbox — they were metal back then!
I like you on Facebook as Mary Happymommy
I am a daily email subscriber.
I subscribe to your emails.
Pinned your pin to my fall board:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/43487952625276625/
I love new pencils! 🙂
I subscribe to your emails
New pens, pencils & crayons plus that brand new 3 ring binder
New colorful folders
Follow on Pinterest and pinned – http://www.pinterest.com/pin/168673948517441131/
I already follow on Facebook and posted to my page. 🙂
I am currently a subscriber. 🙂
I am a current subscriber and love to read your blog. Thank you for all you do!
I subscribe to your email list!
Beautiful colored pencils!
I like you on FB
I am an email subscriber
I enjoyed buying my daughter her first backpack for Kindergarten.
I follow on Pinterest and repined your Low Fat Orange Chicken recipe.
I bought some new pens and highlighters for myself. My kids are grown, but I still love school supplies!
I subscribe to your blog by email.
I am currently a subscriber to your emails.
I have long been a fan if your facebook page.
We love mechanical pencils!
I am an email subscriber.
I love to buy new pens!
I follow you via e-mail
I subscribe via email.
I follow your boards on pintrest too!
As a teacher I loved the sales at Target where I could buy classroom sets of crayons, glue, folders, etc. Yes teachers DO buy these things for their students. As a student I loved the new back to school clothes!
Favorite purchase was backpacks for kids
follow on Pinterest and pin.http://www.pinterest.com/pin/177329304051394951/
facebook liker
jessie c
I am a subscriber
My favorite back to school purchases for my son are the ones that I get on sale. I love the back to school deals at Staples and Office Depot each year.
I’m an email subscriber.
New clothes for the first day of school.
My fav back to school purchase was bento boxes to pack lunches.
I follow on Facebook
I am an email subscriber
I followon Pinterest
I loved getting their backpacks. Thanks for the chance to enter.
I am a pinterest follower of yours. Thanks for the chance to enter.
I am a facebook fan of yours. Thanks for the chance to enter.
I am an email subscriber of yours. Thanks for the chance to enter.
The penny notebooks I got at Staples!!
E-mail subscriber
Shared on fb
New outfit for the first day of school.
Follow you on email
Follow you on fb
Favorite back to school purchase is always new crayons! Something great about a fresh box of crayons!
Subscribe via email – and follow on FB! Love your advice and wit!
Shared on pinterest
My favorite back to school purchase is not having to buy anything because I have stuff still from last year
When my boys were young, shopping for backpacks was one of my favorite purchases!
I am a fan of BB&B! Love your blog!
I follow on Pinterest!
A daily journal that my college-freshman daughter requested!
My daughter attends a Christian school and has to wear uniforms M-TH. So my favorite back to school purchase is always the clothes she gets to wear on uniform-free Friday!
I subscribe via email and already liked your facebook page.
I love Staples.. Its my very most favorite store! Im in there weekly too.. sometimes twice a week. Free paper is what brings me in.. and penny & dime school supplies is great too..
What was my favorite school supplies I bought this year? Hmnn.. 1¢ pack of Index Cards! ♥
I’ve been following you on Pinterest for a good while now.. Great boards!
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/36451078207413760/
My favorite back to school purchases were binders, paper, and new pens!
I posted your giveaway on my FB page.. KimRoberts
Im a subscriber of a couple years, at least!
Like you on Facebook!
Followed you on Instagram.
I got fun new lunch bags for my kiddos.
I am a fan on FB.
we got rosetta stone through our homeschool charter!
I’m an email subscriber!
I like the penny folder deal I got at Target.
I’m a facebook fan.
I subscribe to emails.
I love new notebooks, and pencils with new erasers 🙂
It will always be fresh crayons! And, yes, I can tell genuine Crayola crayons by the smell!
My favorite has always been new backpacks. They are always so clean and nic going out the door for the first day.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
I am subscribed via email as jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com.
I follow via Pinterest as Jill Myrick and pinned the giveaway here:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/98234835595582006/
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
I am a fan via Facebook as Jill Myrick and have shared the giveaway here:
https://www.facebook.com/jill.myrick.3/posts/10151598457747257
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
I love to purchase crayons and scissors as well as other art stuff.
I love the backpack I got for my son.
laptop! I follow on instagram, FB(sharing) and email (unbelievably still not on pinterest)
Wheeeeeeeee!
xoxo
My favorite back-to-school purchase had to be the adorable three-ring binders our daughter chose for her co-op classes. They were SO cute that I would have used them myself! Proud mommy moment. 🙂
A binder with black and white design that my son has been coloring in with sharpness
I subscribe to your emails
We home school and the boys picked out fun folders and I got some with turquoise chevron!
I pinned! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/48554502206172231/
I like to buy different types of pens.
Liked on FB.
My favorite back to school purchase was a College t-shirt for my son’s college.
My favorite back to school purchase was always getting new clothes, because we didn’t the rest of the year!!
We had fun shopping for backpacks and clothes
I follow you on pinterest and repined your pin http://www.pinterest.com/pin/23925441743877542/
I liked you on facebook Tara Liebing
I am an email subscriber
This year my husband got the school supplies all in one swoop. But I got to do the clothing shopping online. Silly I know but we have such a hard time finding socks that don’t get mixed up with the 5 teen to adults in our home. So was excited to find some great no show sport socks and great sales on sporty t’shirts for my son. Course, in the store had to find stuff for the “rents too! Happens every year.
Funny also, we got the same backpack for our son you showcased here and has held up the best of ANY backpack for all 6 of my kids for the past 27 years of parenting school age kids. We will go back next fall for additional one for our daughter.
I pinned a photography tip post!
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/250583166740227778/
Been an email subscriber of yours for a while!
thanks!
loving the Jansport digital student backpackin berrylicious!!
I follow you on pinterest and facebook and follow your rssfeed….
I bought a laptop also for the kids this year. I had to learn all the things in your post slowly on my own before purchasing our laptop. We also choose a great i7 processor and could not be happier.
I am a fan on Facebook.
I am an email subscriber.
I would like a new laptop but was unsure of what to look for thanks for the great info.
I am a fan on facebook.
My favorite purchase is probably pens.
I love buying notebooks, new crayons, markers & fun pens! 🙂
I follow on Pinterest and I pinned: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/328129522821782206/
I follow on facebook and I shared: https://www.facebook.com/bridget.heiplereich/posts/715860001760680
I follow on instagram as bridgetheiplereich
I am already an email subscriber.
I follow on pinterest and facebook. My favorite school supplies are packs of fresh paper and brand new “clicky” pencils. 🙂
I love getting new pencils and notebooks are a weakness of mine! I would use the gift card for organizing items though!
I love to get composition books, there is something about the permanence of what is in there, whether as a journal, notes from Bible study, prayers, or school writing.
I follow your blog by email, and on pinterest, as Laura Gargiulo, and like you on Facebook!
I loved my daughters New Balance shoes that I purchased on 6pm.com for $24.99 great price and they are so nice!
I follow you on Pinterest and I pinned http://www.pinterest.com/pin/193021534003024007/
I already liked Balancing Beauty & Bedlam on FB and also shared it!
I am an email subscriber.
My favorite back 2 school purchase this year and every year are my kids’ shoes. My daughter picked out a cute pair of Pumas that match her personality.
All kinds of plastic containers to organize and store my daughters pens, pencils, erasers,etc!
I just love buying new school supplies! New supplies + New school year = Great Performance!!
My best back to school purchase was some clothes for my son at Nordstroms rack that were 75% off!
Follow on Pinterest and pinned http://www.pinterest.com/pin/270849365063216233/
I’m already a subscriber! 🙂
My favorite back to school purchase is pens…I love all kinds of pens – so that’s my favorite purchase.
I’m always excited when it is time to buy new crayons
I subscribe via email.
I follow you on pinterest and have posted many of your recipes. 🙂 (Gabeybelle)
I follow you on fb.
Some cute pink and black tennis shoes.