Students' computer needs depend on their age and grade.

Having a personal computer is most beneficial to college students, but a family computer is useful for students starting in elementary school.

"I really think if you can afford it, sending someone off to college or university with a PC or particularly a laptop is very useful," said Todd Schultz, a professor of information systems and associate dean in the Hull College of Business at Augusta State University.

Though there are lab computers students can use, "you gain that productivity you get with familiarity."

Software savings can be had.

College students can save on the Microsoft productivity package, called the Ultimate Steal, by buying it with the discount given with a .edu e-mail address. It would cost a student $59.95 for a suite that retails for $679.95.

There are also free open-source programs, but Microsoft Office is the standard.

Netbooks, a new type of smaller, stylish laptop, cost $300-$400 but aren't the best buy for college students, Dr. Schultz said. The computers don't have the space to handle applications that would be basic for students to use. There's no optical drive to play CDs or DVDs, and there's limited memory.

"They weren't designed for that multifunction capability," Dr. Schultz said.

A standard computer is like a four-burner stove, Dr. Schultz explains, while a netbook is more like a hotplate -- both are great tools, but you can't expect a hotplate to heat more than one thing at a time.

Ten to 20 percent of students at Augusta State use laptops in the classroom: They're more for work outside class.

If a computer isn't in the budget, a good idea for students who alternate between lab computers -- or lab computers and home computers -- is a jump drive. Dr. Schultz recommends an 8-gigabyte drive.

If you have a child in kindergarten to high school, a shared home computer is the most beneficial, said Kimberly Stripling, the acting director of media and instructional technology for Richmond County schools.

"I believe it's become more and more necessary for students to do projects and to do papers," she said.

All students are given Web-based e-mail addresses and are able to e-mail teachers, she said. At school, the software they use is Microsoft Office.

"That really is the standard," she said.

That doesn't mean you'll need to buy it for your students to turn in a paper.

"Teachers understand students may not have Microsoft Office products at home," she said.