ICT CA Part 3 - The Factors you need to consider when buying a computer or laptop for an Applied Psychology course

There are many factors to be taken into account when buying a laptop for this Applied Psychology course.
I am recommending students to buy a laptop for this course because it is much more portable and as a result college work can be carried out anywhere. Some of these factors include:

Price

This is a very important factor when purchasing a laptop because we live in a price conscious nation that is constantly searching for the best bargain, students being no exception. Laptops can range from between €250 to a staggering €1000. Students for this course should aim for a cheaper option so long as the laptop in question is satisfactory.

RAM – Random Access Memory

RAM allows data to be stored and accessed randomly. Students will need to consider how much RAM they might need for this course. I’d personally recommend 8GB as throughout the course they will be saving a lot of information onto their computer device.  This 8GB of memory can be upgraded if need be during the length of the course. Memory allows both data and instructions to be stored and modified so without it, students would effectively find no use out of their laptop.

Processor

The processor or what could also be called “the brain of the computer” is another essential factor students need to take into account when buying their laptop. A processor determines what you’re able to do on your laptop and how quickly you’re able to do it so it’s vital that students pick a processor of high clock speed i.e.) 3GHz.

 Software

Students for this course will need to use many software programmes such as Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft PowerPoint. It is important that they find out whether certain software like this is already installed in the laptop or whether they will have to download it themselves after their purchase.  The software I mentioned above is a vital component of this Applied Psychology course and its modules.

Hardware

Certain hardware such as USB sticks, mouse devices and headphone pieces are used alongside the laptop the student chooses to purchase.  They are very useful in this course and students should consider investing in them. USB sticks allow the students to save and transfer their files among various mediums. Mouse devices can make the work they carry out in their Multimedia module easier as a touchpad can sometimes prove tricky when using Photoshop. Headphone pieces are also useful when students need to watch a screencast in the library for example.