Cheap Laptops – Some Tips on Buying Them
Buying a laptop with an eye to budget is easier than you think – especially now. The current economic downturn has helped to force some industries lower their prices, and the computer industry is not immune. Right now, there are some great deals to be had.
The goal is to buy the highest-quality laptop with the most functionality at the cheapest price. Assuming you’re looking for a new laptop and not a used one, you could drive around town to the brick and mortar stores and check out each one. But I’m a lazy sort, so I tend to look up everything online. Stores may also have special pricing for Internet orders, so it’s worthwhile to scope it out online before you get in the car.
One good way to find good deals on practically anything is by using shopping comparison sites like PriceGrabber, NexTag and . These sites gather current prices for untold numbers of items and display them as search results.
The devil is in the details, and this is where you really need to look. Figure out just how much computing power you need. Do you really need all the bells and whistles and the best components, or can you get by with something that isn’t quite as powerful, but will make you happy? Determine what you want your laptop to do. If you just need to run a few business applications (MS Office, Quicken, etc.), then you can find many basic models to choose from. If you want to play high-resolution games, or edit music or videos, you’ll need more computing power which will narrow the field in terms of finding the right machine at the right price.
A significant jump in hard drive size or RAM won’t necessarily add up to a significant jump in price. The prices are generally tied to the motherboard, processor, screen size, resolution and wireless capability. Adding these upgrades could make a big difference in price.
Consider buying a laptop from a lesser-known maker or made with lesser-known (but reliable) components like processors, video cards, etc. When you buy a laptop from a well-known manufacturer, keep in mind that you’re also paying for the name. There are exceptions to this rule, however. Some well-known makers are offering attractively-priced machines. This is can be because the manufacturer is closing out a particular model or style, or the next generation of machine is out, and they’re trying to sell the rest of the previous generation models. There is nothing wrong with them; they’re not just up-to-the-minute in technology.
One last thing to consider when looking for a cheap laptop: factory refurbished models. These are specific machines that for one reason or another have been returned from the original purchaser, and were repaired by the manufacturer. These machines, for all intents and purposes, are brand-spanking new, and come with a full warranty. Visit the manufacturer’s website for deals in refurbished laptops.
Finding a cheap laptop is less of a chore when you know what’s out there, and what you need. Do your homework, and you won’t be disappointed.
