May I get advice on writer purchase?

I am a student and just passed my 1st year mark.  I'm looking to move up from the basic paper writer to something that can do both paper and paperless.

I don't think I want a "student" machine because I kind of feel that's a waste of money since you can't use it in the field, but I do need something that is reasonable in price.

Also, I was super shocked lately when I looked at the cost of software - what's a poor student to do?  Need honest advice, please!!

Technology is just changing too rapidly. I would not suggest you invest in the writer you will use as a working reporter until you are, in fact, a working reporter.  Stay with a nice used machine until you finish school.  I have had so many writers in my career and I would recommend a Stenographer writer, hands down.  That is the only association I have with the company, though, as I am on a different software and would never change, but I do think they make the very best writers. 

For me, the Diamante is the best writer I have ever encountered.

I guess long gone are the days when all you needed was a writer and paper, dictaphone, and IBM Selectric II. 

I would target a couple of providers and make some calls or sit down with a rep and ask them about the contracts they offer so you can make payments.  There are used writers available.   Even the writer repair shops offer used writers for sale.  And the websites for many writer/software companies have a section for used machine sales.

I think it's sometimes a good idea, also, to pick the brains of the people who repair these writers.  Like buying a refrigerator; I ask the repair people what they think the most reliable models are.

I don't know if this helps at all.  Just the ideas that come to me off the top of my head, since I see you haven't had any responses yet.

Good luck!

A friend of mine just bought Eclipse and the company gave him a great deal of payments at $125 a month.  I'd say that's pretty affordable.  When you're actually working, you can triple your payments and get it paid off quicker.  I agree about not buying a professional writer until you're working.  Stick with what you're comfortable on and DEFINITELY take the RPR (or whatever your requirement is) on that machine. 

Dani3733,

I know of a Wave and Catalyst 11 student software that's being sold for a great price.  If you have any interest, e-mail me at capncaption@gmail.com.