Mammoth AwardsBuying a reliable laptop that’s also affordable is easier than ever. You can thank the Internet for that, as you can now comparison shop, read reviews, and more from the comfort of your couch.
What if you’ve never bought a laptop before, though? What should you do to ensure you not only get what you need but also buy it without going broke in the process? The quick answer is to follow these tips, as they’ll lead you down the right path to purchasing the perfect laptop.
Before You Buy
If you did a random search for laptops, you’d probably get overwhelmed by the variation in:
- Price
- Brands
- Models
- Hardware
- Display size
- And more
For this reason, you have to narrow down what you’re looking for, which can be accomplished by:
- Determining your budget – How much are you willing to spend while still being able to afford it?
- Determining the laptop’s usage – What will you use it for? Work? School? Entertainment? Gaming? Basic Web browsing?
- Picking out the best brands/models – Which brand has a solid reputation for quality and service? Which models have all of the specifications you’re looking for while being in your price range?
With those three things figured out, your laptop search becomes more definite. Now you can really go online to find out more about your potential purchase.
While Searching
There’s no shortage of places either online or in person to find that perfect laptop. To play it safe, however, you may want to go with some of the more prominent names in the electronics industry to have some much-needed peace of mind throughout the process.
In-person retailers that are pretty popular for laptops and other electronics include places like Best Buy and Walmart. The benefit of using these options is that you can test the laptops to see how they look and feel, which cannot be done when shopping on the Internet.
Online, you may want to take a closer look at NewEgg, Amazon, or TigerDirect. All make it incredibly easy to pinpoint the type of laptop you want that fits your spec needs, price range, and more.
Best of all, shopping for a laptop online allows you to see reviews from previous buyers. They can let you know the pros and cons of each computer, so you know of potential issues before spending your hard-earned cash.
If you find that you’re not too impressed with any options at your pre-determined price point, you may want to consider buying refurbished. Laptops with this label can still function as desired, as they are put through tests to ensure they’re in tip-top shape. You can also get a warranty, so it can be like buying brand new, but at a lower cost.
If you still aren’t finding great deals in your search, consider the time. If you’re close to any of the following periods that are loaded with great discounts, you may want to wait a bit to make your purchase:
- June-September – Back to school sales
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday
- Near events for product launches – September for Apple, October for Microsoft
