how to buy

I understand the need for a laptop in college. I also understand budget constraints. I am hesitant in suggesting this, but you might want to consider obtaining a store credit card that can only be used in that store. That would help you establish some credit. However, don't get the normal credit card that can be used anywhere. If you choose to go this route, don't pay the minimum balance as suggested by the statement or you will incur finance charges after the promotional period is up (they normally offer 18 months interest free financing). Take the total amount, divide it by the # of months and work to pay that amount each month. If you can't make that payment one month, make a lesser payment but make sure you always pay the min balance. You can play catch up the following months. The next suggestion is to get the cheapest computer possible. You don't need the $1,500 or $2,500 computer to get your work done in school. With today's technology you should be able to run everything on the lower priced computers. Best Buy currently has an Acer for $350 that I would seriously recommend (actually recommending it to my dad who has never had a computer but needs to learn). The other suggestion, since you are a student, is to look for academic pricing for computer hardware/software. Laptops generally don't get a price break, but the peripherals and software do.