Cash Money Life has a pretty extensive article about how to save money when you are buying a computer.

Here’s what I add for any of you who are buying a computer for a college student. (Hopefully, I caught your attention before graduation gifts have been selected):

Do not, I repeat, do not, buy ANY computer for use on campus until you get the technical specifications or requirements from the college’s Information Technology department.

Some colleges say “bring whatever you want,” and that’s fine. Some say “bring your own computer if you want, but it has to have these technical specifications.” And some colleges say “you must buy this specific computer from this specific vendor.”

It would be a very expensive mistake to buy the wrong computer, or to select one that will need to be replaced in a year or two, because you didn’t know what your campus required.

If you are responsible for buying and selecting your own computer, ask the I.T. department if there will be student computer specials available on campus during orientation or move-in.

Some commercial vendors also have back-to-school specials for students – but you’ll need your college student ID to qualify for most of them.