But if windows …pretty much most laptops are all good. Dell seems to break more often. For programs : depends on what kind of web design he does – what does he use ..etc. You might want to talk to his classmates and find out if they are using a specific software – or even if he’s talked to them about what he wants as far as web design software or what not. If he uses flash, dreamweaver, or does everything by hand, etc.

Otherwise, a laptop is probably a good enough gift (actually more than good enough – that is a fantabulous gift! You are an awesome girlfriend!!! If you’re ever single .. )

Okay off track a bit

Another idea I would say maybe get him a book or some videos or online classes for him to further his studies. Jakob Nielsen is an awesome author when it comes to web design and web usability and any web designer would love his stuff

"Prioritizing Web Usability" – Jakob Nielsen
http://witchwebhost.com/recommends/jakobnielsen_prioritizing.html

It looks a bit fuddy duddy – a younger and hipper looking book
"Web Pages That Suck" – learning good design by looking at bad design. it’s an old book (1998) but still really awesome
http://witchwebhost.com/recommends/webpagesthatsuck.html

Finally, maybe get him a gift card to godaddy – if he’s a webdesigner he’ll probably want to get his own domains and develop his own websites at some point.

By the way, you’re an awesome gf if I didn’t mention it already at least a few times
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Also – if he does that sort of thing now and doesn’t use MAC, I’d say a PC would be a waaay better choice.
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ANY computer works for this with the correct programming!!
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common sense.