Jonah Jacobs1. Usage
What will you be using this laptop for? Will it be used to browse the Internet for a few minutes per day? Will you have it on almost 24/7?
Does your laptop need excellent video performance so you can stream Netflix and YouTube? Does it need optimal gaming performance that will require more power “underneath the hood?”
What about the size? If you’ll be using it for video, you may want a larger screen. Or if you’ll be traveling a lot, you may want something more portable and light.
You’ll want to factor in all of these uses when picturing the perfect laptop in your head. The more casual the need, the more affordable it should be. And the more features that will be needed, the more money you’ll have to fork over.
2. Budget
You may have a fixed number in your head, but determining your laptop’s usage could shift that a bit. For instance, if you only wanted to spend $300, but need a gaming laptop, you may have realized your budget will need to be higher.
If you will use the laptop for a critical need, such as to distance learn or to work from home, you may want to increase your budget a bit. This will be an investment that should last for years, and by helping you study or work, it could pay itself off several times over.
On the other hand, you don’t want to buy something that you cannot afford, which can make this part a bit tricky. You will need to determine your budget beforehand to not only make your search easier, but also to ensure you don’t overspend.
3. Urgency
Did your old laptop die, causing you to need a replacement immediately? If so, you may be less likely to find that ideal deal. If you can wait, however, you should be able to snag some savings around these times:
- The back-to-school period (June-September)
- Product launches (Apple around September, Microsoft around October)
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday
4. Brands
Just like with cars, all laptop brands are not created equal. Some have better reputations than others. You’ll want to keep this in mind when doing your research, as the last thing you want to do is buy a laptop that you regret.
Use the convenience of the Internet to your advantage here. Search for laptop reviews to see which brands stand out from the crowd. Once you’ve picked a few, you can then start looking for models within your price range.
Once you find laptop models you like, read all of their reviews. Are there any red flags? If so, you may want to skip that model and the headaches that come with it.
5. Deals
A great deal on a laptop could make it too hard to pass up. No matter the time of year, there are always deals online that can get you the computer you need at a discount.
You could use an app like Honey to find the best deals for a particular laptop, or you could try sites like:
If you don’t mind a refurbished or used laptop, you may get more bang for your buck this way by shopping on a site like eBay.
Mark Luigi Dacumos
