Whether you use your laptop for work, pleasure, or home management, finding the right model is essential. A little research on this front will mean you do not overspend unnecessarily, or you are not left wanting with a lower performance model.
Owning Your Search for a New Laptop
Here are some points that you should take into account when getting a new laptop.
- It is about size
- Shop around
- It’s not all about the speeds and feeds
- Plan your budget
- How manufacturers calculate laptop prices
- Getting the software right
Always put your need first, and then select the suitable device with the software you will use every day.
It is about size
In terms of laptops, size matters. Bigger is not always better, but it is a consideration.
Hardcore gamers probably want the highest CPU power possible, so larger models with big screens are essential. Portability is less important than pure compute ability.
Lighter, more compact laptops are a sensible choice for business travelers working a lot with cloud apps and lower amounts of data stored on the device.
Shop around
Laptops are readily available from stores and online retailers. You can even buy directly from some manufacturers. However, always shop around so you can be assured you are getting the best price and warranty.
The laptop market is highly competitive, so use this to your advantage. Look out for promotions such as Black Friday or January sales to pick up some bargains.
Don’t just shop around on price. See what different retailers offer bundled into the laptop. For example, some devices come with Microsoft 365 personal or Windows 11/10 bundled in. Others may offer extended warranty cover or accidental loss or damage cover. This option can be especially attractive if you buy a higher-end laptop or plan to travel a lot with your device.
It’s not all about the speeds and feeds
While CPU and RAM are important, they are not the starting point for you as you consider your laptop options. Start by defining your budget, and see what options come up in your price range.
From there, you can create a shortlist based on the features that are most important for your use case. Only then should you start drilling into the technical aspects to compare like-for-like prices and find the best value.
On the lowest end of the market, you can expect to pay around $500. Higher-end devices with the best possible spec can go into the thousands of dollars. But for more intense laptop users, they represent good value if you will quickly become frustrated with a slower PC.
Whatever your budget, paying too much attention to technical terms should not dominate your search. You can validate this once you have made a shortlist but start by thinking about how you use your laptop on a daily basis.
Plan your budget
Getting the best value for money is the objective of your search. Whatever your priority, you can make your money work for you.
Some lower-spec models have larger screens if that is your thing. If you prioritize computer power for speedy working and streaming, a smaller screen but higher CPU may be the best option.
Check out snap sales or online voucher codes to save even more. Many retailers also offer manufacturer promotions such as trade-in deals to swap out your old device for a new alternative.
How manufacturers calculate laptop prices
Retailers are often bound by manufacturers’ terms on what prices they can offer on new laptops for sale. It is not to say shopping around is not worthwhile, but it can mean that you will only see a few dollars’ difference between retailers.
The best way to search is to ensure you get precisely the right features for what you are looking for.
One differentiating factor between retailers is the warranty services and bundle offerings they include with laptops. From extended warranty to accidental breakage, you can often find additional value in after-sales services. Some PC retailers will also offer software licenses as a way of sweetening the deal since they do not have much flexibility on price.
Getting the software right
Most laptop users will have an idea of what their preferred operating system is before making their choice. If you have an iPhone, bear in mind that all your files will be saved to iCloud.
Alternatively, if you are running an Android device, you likely have much more flexibility in terms of which cloud applications you use.
Pay close attention to the operating system of your new laptop, as this will be closely aligned to your user experience with your new machine.
