NUS/NTU notebook deals for 2006/07

With tertiary institutes pushing for a paperless system, increasingly more educational material and administrative matters require students to be online. However, for most students buying a notebook represents a significant investment. Though interest-free notebook loans are offered by the universities, Singapore-based National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have taken it further by offering big discounts on selected systems from some major vendors.

This year, the majority of choices fall in the thin-and-light category. This class of portables offer good mix of performance and mobility. However, for those who travel alot, ultraportables sacrifices the integrated optical drive in exchange for a smaller and lighter chassis. With the exception of Apple notebooks, Adobe Macromedia Studio 8 is bundled together with every PC purchase. Microsoft Office is also available as a S$119 (US$87.61) option.

Apple has switched from the PowerPC platform to the Intel-based chipset. Though there is a significant performance boost, this applies only to software which has been optimized for the new platform. The new range of Intel Core Duo Mac are offered at a discount to tertiary students in NUS and NTU this year. Check out our guides on how to select the appropriate portable for your needs.

Notebook buying guide
25 tips to buy the perfect notebook

Ultraportables	Thin-and-lights
Mac notebooks	Tablet PCs

• This information is based on notebook deals currently offered to the staff and students of National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). However, conditions apply for those who have previously purchased notebooks under this scheme.
  
• Do note that the models we reviewed may not have the exact same configurations as the models being offered for campus use. For example, the NUS ThinkPad X60 featured has a 1.5GHz Core Duo L2300 processor whereas the test unit we reviewed incorporated a 1.66GHz Core Duo T2400 chip.
  
• Price exclude 5 percent GST and are correct as of August 04, 2006. Please check with the respective campus notebook center for more information.
  
• Street prices are compared with the base model available to students.