Laptops for India??

Desktops...non branded, assembled cost a small amount about 800$ equivalent...with the works. Hardware is cheap in India ...i reccomend you buy there so you can get it fixed by the retailer if things grow wrong...also you need a back up power supply there...In a nutshell get you system there.

 

Laptops run on dual voltage nowadays..that's pretty standard, but you'd want to make sure. Most laptops/connectors can handle worldwide voltage, all you need to do is buy a plug adapter. However, most computers have major manufacturing centers in the US. I do not know what India supplies, and it may be more expensive.

 

Youngling, if internet is your main necessity, then it is better to get a desktop, which, as halothane said, you can easily get here, and cheaper I guess. If you want a laptop, that would cost around $2000. I could confirm that if you like.

Most of the colleges nowadays have free internet/e-mail facilities for students, so you could avail of that, but it is always better to go for a pc of your own. More freedom.

Then there are cybercafes that charge Rs 10-15/hr (20-30cents).

On your own pc, a dialup connection with a phone and modem will cost around Rs 20/hr.

The voltage here is supposed to be 220V 50Hz, though fluctuations are very frequent. And, you'll need a UPS to provide power during power-cuts.

 

Hey dude,

Go to Sam's Club or Costco or a discount warehouse of the like. You can find tight deals on computer hardware there. As in, you can get a mean laptop (1+ GHz, 256 RAM, DVD/Cd-RW, Sony VIAO) for around 1000 bucks. If you travel often, you'll find a laptop quite useful, and even if you don't, just the ability to take it anywhere: friend's house, library, etc, makes it well worth the extra $'s.

Yes, God bless the internet. Without it, none of us would be here to talk about it...

 

I think dorm should be no problem, only you will have to share it with all the girls around: that's the rule, you can't refuse or you will be seen as anti-social and soon you'll hear horrible rumours going around about you. Okay, I am exaggerating, but you can't get around sharing your things.

Btw, it will be good for you to confirm with someone who goes to that college if you are allowed to keep a computer. Indian hostel wardens are notorious for the weirdest rules.

I hail from a small town near Delhi and internet is actually cheaper there. But I can't assure you whether all colleges have net connection. Again it would be better to confirm it with someone of the college.