(Newswire.net — December 12, 2020) —
Are you on the hunt for a new laptop? Well, you’re not the only one.
Over 235 million personal computers have been sold this year alone- and you can bet your bottom dollar that a large percentage of them were laptops. Portable, versatile, and more powerful than ever before, these PCs are a popular choice all over the world.
But those attributes come at a very literal cost. The best laptops can set you back thousands of dollars these days, which is far more than many people are willing to pay.
Thankfully, there are numerous ways to spend less on a laptop without sacrificing on quality. With the right insight and approach, you can walk away with a powerful PC that won’t break the bank. Want to find out how to do it?
Let us help! Keep reading to learn our top tips for finding amazing laptop deals.
Identify Your Requirements
The best way to purchase an affordable laptop is to identify why you need it in the first place. After all, not everybody requires the latest high-performance PC with all the bells and whistles. You might just want a word processor or something on which to stream your favorite Netflix shows.
Recognizing this before you start shopping can save masses of money! It narrows your search and ensures you don’t overspend on high-end specs/features that you’d never benefit from anyway. Instead, you can buy a reasonably priced computer with all the power, RAM, and storage space you need.
Skip the Fancy Features
Expensive laptops usually boast an array of fancy features too. You’ll see things like backlit keyboards, touch-screens, amazing graphics chips, and fingerprint readers. They’re fun to have and would prove useful at times, but they’re far from essential.
Even worse, they add hundreds of dollars to the retail price!
That’s why we recommend steering clear of these features in your bid to spend less. Remember: stick to your needs. As long as your new laptop does the fundamentals well, you can give the extravagant extras a miss and save some hard-earned money in the process.
Buy Second-Hand Laptops
One of the most effective ways to save money on a laptop is to purchase it second-hand. Trust us, you can find used and refurbished models for an absolute steal. Computers that would have cost thousands off the shelf are sometimes up to 50% off their original retail value (or more).
Now, many people balk at the idea of buying a used laptop. And we get it- just because it’s used, doesn’t make it cheap! It’s natural to worry about being sold something with hidden defects.
Don’t discount the second-hand option off the bat though.
There’s always a risk when it comes to purchasing pre-used goods. Yet you’d be surprised at how many of these computers remain in remarkable condition. In our eyes, that makes this option well worth considering in your bid to spend less on high-end laptops.
Wait Until the Sales Hit
It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you’re buying. Everybody loves a bargain. And the sales that occur in stores each year are amazing places to find them!
Think about Black Friday and Cyber Monday, both of which deliver insane discounts on every product under the sun. Expensive technical equipment can be bought at reduced prices, which is good news when you want to spend less on a laptop.
Try taking seasonal changes into account for the same reason.
Indeed, everything from Christmas festivities to the start of a new academic year can impact how much products cost. Stores drop or raise their prices in relation to demand, which makes certain times of year more cost-effective than others for consumers. Bare that in mind when buying your laptop and you’re sure to find an even better deal.
Wait Until the New Model Comes Out
Imagine that you have a specific laptop in mind that you’d like to buy. You’ve tried it out for size, checked it has the features you need, and know it’s the right one for the job. All that’s left to do is hand over the cash and buy it.
Want our advice?
Don’t pull the trigger on the sale straight away! Instead, try waiting until the company releases its latest version of the computer. The price tag of the original model (i.e. the one you wanted in the first place) will decrease in the process, allowing you to pick it up for a relative bargain.
Taking this approach involves patience and delayed gratification. However, your bank balance is sure to thank you for it!
Leverage Promo Codes
Promo codes and coupons are go-to sources of savings for thrifty shoppers everywhere. Some avid ‘couponers’ spend their days scouring newspapers, magazines, and online stores to find them! Invest enough time and effort in the hunt and you can find some savings on almost anything…including laptops.
Alas, they’re not always available. But when they are, you might get 5-10% off, free shipping, discounted antivirus software, or deals on insurance coverage.
The chance of scoring those kinds of freebies more than justifies a quick online search for them. Check out specific coupon sites (such as Savings.com) and see if the computer brand in question is advertising discounts on their website too. With a bit of luck, you’ll come away with a handy promo code to use at checkout.
Try Doing DIY Upgrades
Another great way to save money on a laptop is to buy a low-spec model and then upgrade it.
For example, purchasing a PC with a large hard-drive and lots of RAM is always more expensive. Yet both RAM and storage space can usually be increased with minimal fuss! You can buy a cheaper laptop upfront and then bring it up to spec in your own time.
It’s true that most of us lack the time, skill, and insight to do these kinds of jobs. However, you might know somebody who does and who’d be willing to upgrade the computer for you. As long as they don’t overcharge, it could still end up costing less than a laptop with similar specs off the shelf.
Don’t Worry (Too Much) About Processing Speed
Many laptop shoppers are seduced by the promise of processing power. They see a laptop with an i7 chip, hear about the incredible speed it delivers, and jump on it without a second thought. They get the speed, but they spend a lot more money in the process.
In reality, most people don’t need anywhere near an i7 computer. That level of power is useful if you want to play modern computer games or create and edit video content. But it’s wasted if you only need a laptop to browse the web and update spreadsheets!
Try setting your sights on less powerful CPUs. You’ll spend far less and, in most cases, enjoy as much functionality as you need.
Utilize Package Deals
Do you need a laptop? Or do you need a laptop with a printer, special software, a wireless keyboard, and cloud services too? If it’s the latter, then you could save money by searching for package deals.
In other words, try to buy laptops that a) have freebies thrown in, and/or b) come with heavy discounts on the other products you have to buy. Now, this won’t reduce the price of the laptop itself. But it will slash the overall price-tag compared to buying each item individually.
Take Your Time
Finding a quality laptop at a good price point can be a challenge- especially when you’re desperate for a new PC. You have to go through the various options, weigh up the pros and cons of each model, and settle on the best of them. In other words, it takes time.
The result? It’s tempting to rush the process and buy a laptop without giving it enough consideration. Alas, that lack of patience can get you into trouble…
For one thing, it’s a sure-fire way to miss out on amazing laptop deals that you would have found with extra effort. For another, you risk purchasing a laptop that isn’t fit for purpose! It might have underlying faults and lack essential features (costing you dearly in terms of time, money, and frustration).
That’s why it’s so important to take your time. Embarking on a slow and patient search for the perfect PC is the best way to get your hands on one.
Time to Spend Less on Laptops
Countless people around the world buy new laptops every year. And for good reason! These amazing machines provide all the power and portability that most of us require.
Yet the best laptops don’t come cheap, which is bad news when you’re on a budget. As a result, finding a high-performing PC that doesn’t break the bank can be a challenge. With any luck, though, the tips in this post will help you do it.
Keep them in mind and you should be able to spend less on a top laptop in no time. Did you enjoy this article? Check out more like it on our blog now!