mtech wrote:
> A friend of mine is searching for a laptop for her son for college.

What's his major?

If it's engineering, business, or any hard science, I'd get the Dell
D620, Dell D820, Compaq nc8430, or Fujitsu Lifebook E8110.

Try to get the business models, rather than the consumer models.

If it's journalism or English, or similar, than a MacBook might be a
better choice.