Good NestingIs it hard to buy a good laptop nowadays? Not really, thanks to the Internet. Still, you should have some sort of procedure for making your laptop purchase since it’ll probably be pricey, and it’s a substantial investment.
What’s the best way to go about getting that laptop you need? Follow these tips.
Plan Ahead
While it may be tempting to buy the first laptop you see online or in a store, you have plenty of choices at your disposal. As such, making a plan will help you pick the best option without breaking the bank.
To begin planning, come up with a budget. Since this laptop will be used to work from home, you don’t necessarily want to aim for the cheapest option.
Instead, get something that’s of quality, has excellent reviews, and has all the specifications to meet your needs, while still being affordable. With a budget in mind, you’ll be able to narrow down your selections.
Now that you know how much you want to spend, make a list of what the laptop will be used for, such as:
- Word processing
- Browsing the Net
- Watching videos on sites like Netflix or YouTube
- Gaming
The uses will determine whether or not you need a display that’s larger or smaller. And if you decide to travel a lot, you may opt for a more compact model.
Beyond the display, determining how you’ll use the laptop will help you figure out if it needs a more powerful processor, memory, video card, etc. With all of this data, you can start shopping online to find sufficient models in your price range, and then hopefully testing them at a store to see if you’re making the right choice.
Shop Around
Whether you’re shopping for your laptop online via Amazon, NewEgg, or TigerDirect, or in person at Walmart or Best Buy, don’t get the first one you see. If the laptop seems to be a perfect fit, search for competitor pricing to get the best deal. An app like Honey can help you achieve this goal of comparison shopping rather quickly, as can similar ones.
Also, don’t forget to read those reviews. Some may save you from the headache that comes with picking the wrong laptop.
Research Refurbished
If you’re not satisfied with the new laptops you can purchase within your budget, you may want to consider buying refurbished.
Although a refurbished laptop won’t be brand new, it can give you the functionality you need at a deep discount. Apple laptops, for example, are rigorously tested and cleaned before being sold. They come with all of the accessories and cables, plus a one-year warranty.
On a similar note, you could buy a used laptop from someone on eBay, for example. Before doing so, make sure you read the fine print, as a warranty may not be included, making you responsible for repairs early on.
Buy at the Right Time
If your existing laptop breaks or is no longer serviceable, you may need a replacement right away. But if you don’t need that new laptop now, you may want to wait until these times of the year where they’re more affordable than ever:
- Black Friday or Cyber Monday
- The back-to-school months (June-September)
- Around product launches (September for Apple, October for Microsoft)
Good Nesting
