Saving Money On A Laptop
Since their rise to popularity in the ’90s, laptops have rapidly come to be considered one of life’s essentials. It is now nearly impossible to navigate work and life without the use of a computer, and laptops can provide essential portability. One thing often stands in the way of consumers adopting laptops over cheaper desktop computers: the price tag.
Lightweight construction and sleek designs often come at a high price, and finding the cheapest laptops for sale can be daunting, as there are hundreds of different models and brands on the market. When you’re looking for laptops, the following tips can save you money and time as you navigate the complex world of laptop comparison.
First, consider buying a used laptop. The price of a laptop computer drops off significantly when you’re buying one that’s already been used for a year or two. It may not be as shiny as a new model, and it may have cosmetic problems, but if it works and fits your price range, it may very well be worth it. A new MacBook with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB DDR3 memory, and a 250GB hard drive costs about $999, but an eBay search will uncover big sales on laptops that are the same or similar models selling for much lower. Wherever you buy your laptop, make sure that the seller has positive reviews and that other customers have been satisfied with their purchases. Don’t buy a computer that is marked “as is,” and be wary of counterfeits and deals that seem too good to be true. When shopping online, you can’t physically see the product you’re getting, so be careful what you buy.
Second, comparison shopping is always a good idea. You might be tempted to go with the first laptop you see on the first site that you see, particularly if it’s within your price range and has all of the features that you need, but looking at several sites will work in your favor. A Lenovo ThinkPad T510 with 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-520M processor, 2GB RAM, and a 250GB hard drive is listed on various sites at $995, $899, and $950, so you’re probably doing yourself a favor if you look around. Google Product Search and other comparison-shopping tools can be your friend. Also, if you see a model you like at the lowest price you can find, try searching for a different brand or model that has the same features.
Third, decide what the essential features you need in a laptop are. Things like hard drive space, speed, and weight should be high on your list. Features like fingerprint recognition and backlit keyboards can be useful or fun if you have the cash, but if you’re on a budget, these should be lower on your list. Some sites let you customize your laptop with only the features you need, so make sure that you uncheck anything you feel is unnecessary — otherwise, you could be paying extra for features that you don’t even want.
With a few hours’ research, you should be able to come up with a laptop that fits your needs and budget. Be sure to consult friends and family with technical expertise, as they can often be valuable sources of information. Don’t make any hasty decisions — remember, the laptop’s going to be there tomorrow.
© 2011, Laptops On SaleTags: Dell Inspiron, ebay, laptop, laptop computer, laptops, Laptops For Sale, Lenovo, lenovo thinkpad, Mac, MacBook, Macbook pro, ThinkPad, XP
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