Tips on how much to budget when buying a laptop for the first time

In this modern age of technology and connectivity, electronic devices have become an essential part of everyday life. Just about everything from playing music to doing research and getting things done involves the use of electronic components.

In addition, with the advent of remote work and distance learning, there has been an increase in the demand for devices such as laptops during the pandemic. However, with such a large selection of brands and models in the market, choosing a good laptop can be challenging.

Not to mention there are many factors to consider, such as screen size, storage quality, storage capacity, and price. If you are looking to buy a quality laptop but don’t want to break into your bank account, here are some cheap tips that might help you!

Decide what you will use it for

Laptops are a popular choice among students and professionals due to their portability. As mobile devices, they can take you wherever you go, and like desktop computers, their processors can run complex applications.

Before you start shopping around for prices, decide what you want to use your laptop for. This way, you can narrow down your options and only check out models with the required specifications. With fewer options, it will be easier to compare prices.

Consider all possible factors. For example, if you travel a lot for work, a laptop may be right for you. On the other hand, if you’re a student, select the operating system and all the software applications you’ll need to check if the laptops on your list support them.

Set budget range

Decide how much money you are willing to pay to buy a new laptop so that you can set some minimum and maximum prices that you can afford. Also, leave room for any additional things you may need.

It’s best to share this information with your store salesperson so you don’t waste time checking out expensive models. It can be heartbreaking when you fall in love with a particular laptop and find that it costs more than your budget.

Consider Buying a Refurbished Appliance

Instead of buying a new one, why not look for refurbished electronics to save more money? Laptops are known to last three to five years, so it’s great to see the hardware in use.

If the system is working properly, a refurbished laptop can perform just as well as a new laptop. However, be sure to check everything before closing the sale.

Check if the seller is legitimate and read some reviews online. It is also important to check your laptop’s actual release date, RAM, processing speed, storage space, battery life, build status, and recovery quality.

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Also, tell the vendor what software you plan to use to see if you have any compatibility issues with a particular model. You should also check the exact amount of the discount you will receive.

If it’s not a good deal, it may be wise to buy a new model. Lastly, be sure to ask for at least a six-month or one-year warranty.

Learn to bargain

Set realistic expectations. On a tight budget, it’s inevitable to make sacrifices and leave a few essentials on your list unchecked. That’s why it’s important to identify the key specs you’re looking for.

Also keep in mind that no laptop will perform perfectly, especially the more moderately priced models. There are often a few things that have to be sacrificed in order to get a laptop that meets your needs.

For example, a less expensive model may not be as impressive as a higher model. But if that works and doesn’t get in the way of your business, that’s okay.

Also, there aren’t very few low-to-midrange laptops that are thin, light, and compact. As a result, 14- to 15-inch displays are more common, and many come with “bloatware” pre-installed and are less likely to be used.

Find the Required Specifications

Besides what’s not negotiable, let’s take a look at other important specs. For starters, screens with a resolution of 1366 x 768 are common, but the images they produce won’t be sharp by modern standards. You may also have difficulty placing multiple information windows on the screen.

If you can find one, the best frame is 1920 x 1080 (often referred to as “1080p”). Don’t worry too much about getting high resolution if it’s not necessary for your work or study.

But if you value a clear screen, consider getting an IPS screen instead of a TN screen. It’s usually more visible and easier to read from wider angles, but the price is higher.

Internally, choose an Intel Core i5 processor as it should be powerful enough to handle most programs. However, if you don’t intend to use the laptop for gaming, a Core i3 processor is sufficient.

Having enough RAM is also essential to ensure a perfect user experience. In this case, you’ll need 8GB if possible, or 6GB for a cheaper model. When it comes to storage, you won’t find many cheap SSDs, so make the most of a slower, more powerful HDD.

If you can make over 500 GB and it’s essential to your business, consider going a long way. Ideally, your device will allow you to upgrade to an SSD in the future if you want to upgrade.

Battery life is largely determined by what you can experience. Just keep in mind that companies tend to overestimate them. The same goes for ports and connectivity.

At a minimum, make sure that your device supports the faster 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to have a few USB 3.0 ports.

last thoughts

All this information will help you make a decision, but in the end, the choice is still in your hands. When buying risky options like refurbished appliances, it is important to do your research and read customer reviews.

Also, don’t drive without carrying the machine first and doing a physical inspection. After all, this is the only way to get an idea of ​​the state of the device.

If you don’t need a new laptop right away, take the time to save a lot of money on it. In addition, setting goals and reducing unnecessary costs is an important step in taking full control of your finances so that you can make better purchases in the future.

Gary Everett

Gary Everett is a passionate Tech Geek writer. Above all, he writes on topics that revolve around the latest gadgets and technology. In his spare time, he enjoys reading science fiction novels and playing golf.