Checking with the school or the major department (to see if there is a specific reason for or against a particular choice) is a good idea. My own family's experiences, which includes a total of 6 undergrad and grad program starts, was that 1) Not surprisingly, all schools and programs could accommodate and provide tech support for both Mac and Windows machines. All 6 could provide software either for free or with heavy discounts and left the choice of flavor up to the student with no specific recommendation, and 2) While all schools offered "special pricing" for purchases from the school/student store, none required it. None of the school "deals" we encountered were ever particularly competitive, I was always able to get more value for money from normal sources. I wouldn't be surprised if there were some photo/graphics or art programs that may be Mac only. You'll learn if one of those special situations applies by asking.

"Computer graphics" covers a lot of ground. It would be helpful to know which programs he'll be running. This is probably the right time to recommend that you get a video card in the new computer-something with 512kb video memory or more if available. If funds are available, a faster processor wouldn't hurt either. "Refurbished" means that someone else already bought the unit and returned it as unsatisfactory (for whatever reason. Maybe something was broken-maybe they just didn't like it)...so it can't be resold as new. Supposedly, these get rechecked and are certified to be like new before being sold as refurbs and MAY OR MAY NOT have the same warranty as new depending on where you get it. Read the fine print before you buy.

If I can find something like that I'll consider it. I also thought of getting a "Table Mate," but they are all so cheap and tacky looking. "As seen on TV." I couldn't leave them outside even if I wanted to because they are not intended to be outdoors (rust and fade from weather) so I would have to keep lugging it back and forth out to the uncovered patio whenever I wanted to use it.. Carrying a small tray that fits on the chair arms wouldn't be that bad if I can find something like that and I wouldn't really care about the looks of it since it isn't furniture.

I didn't know MS was skipping 9 and going to 10 - thanks, Emma. Yeah, I'm a little leery about buying a laptop online without trying it first. I love the keyboard and feel/response of the touchpad on my current laptop, so I want to find something as comfortable. I think it's best I wait until Windows 10 comes out... it might be less Windows 8'ish; although I've been using W8.1 on a desktop, so I'm familiar with it - and I don't absolutely hate it, like many people do. I didn't dislike Vista (my laptop), either, like many people do. I actually like Vista. Guess I'm not too hard to please when it comes to operating systems - lol.