My father's company has an employee purchase plan. However - be absolutely sure you are getting everything specified. For example, make sure you're getting the specified wireless LAN card and ethernet card, the same software, etc. If it's in the company's name, the student will have to contact Dell directly for hardware support. Ask her to make sure and put the student's name on the computer.
Most dorm rooms are pretty small.
Those that also have desktops frequently abandon them. Of course, some dedicated 'gamers' like to keep their big desktops and monitors just for games. Time management is a difficult thing for freshmen to learn without additional distractions. The laptops do have ports to attach those devices. Many people do prefer using a mouse with their laptops - and since a mouse is so small it works just fine.