Save big on back-to-school gear

— -- In a few short weeks, students will head back to school. That means back-to-school shopping — and strained budgets. But you can get discounts on computers, software and other digital gear.

Before you buy, ask the school for minimum system requirements. If possible, check with your child's academic department. It may have different requirements than the school at large.

You'll need to decide on an operating system. Microsoft Windows is by far the most popular. You'll run into fewer compatibility problems.

But Apple's Mac OS X will run Windows and Windows programs. That's thanks to Boot Camp, which is included with new Macs. You must buy a copy of Windows to run it on a Mac.

Windows laptops

Netbooks are popular, thanks to their low prices. However, they don't offer the computing power of true laptops. Skip them. Netbooks are easily identified; they generally use Intel's Atom processor.

Opt for an Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Turion processor. These powerful, dual-core 64-bit processors will suit most students. Don't worry too much about processor speed.

Don't accept less than 2 gigabytes of RAM. If the machine runs the 32-bit version of Windows, don't buy more than 3 gigabytes of memory because that version of Windows can't use more than that.

Machines running 64-bit Windows don't have this limitation. However, you could encounter compatibility problems with some programs and older hardware.

Go for Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate. And remember, you may get a free Windows 7 upgrade. Check with the manufacturer.

Don't accept less than a 160GB hard drive. Skip solid-state drives. The prices far outweigh the benefits — for now, anyway.

Students in graphics or video production need a dedicated graphics card. This will take a load off the processor. Expect to pay about $100 extra.

Wi-Fi is standard on laptops these days. Choose 802.11n. A DVD burner, two or more USB ports and long battery life are essential. Buy a second battery, if necessary.