10 Things To Consider When Choosing A New Laptop

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The laptop is an incredibly useful device, and one of the devices that many people can’t live without.  However, this makes choosing a new laptop to buy much more confusing, especially with all of the options available. Even if you’re a tech-savvy individual and know exactly what you need in a new laptop, there are still a lot of factors to keep in mind before making your final purchase.  It may not seem like much, but it can help you save money and time if you consider some of these things before buying a new laptop. Let’s take a look at some of the main things you should consider:

What do you need your laptop to do?

This may seem like a silly question, but you’ll be surprised how many people don’t ask themselves this before purchasing a new laptop. You’ll want to ask yourself what you’ll be using your laptop for. Will it just be for everyday use?  Or something more specific like music production? You’ll want to be sure that your laptop will be able to handle everything you need it to do. This will help you avoid purchasing a laptop that is either too expensive or too heavy for the use you have for it.

Learn more about the brands you’re considering

Before you make a purchase, it can be a good idea to do some research on the brands you’re considering. Look up reviews on sites like PCMag, CNET and Tom’s Guide. You might be surprised by what you find. You might notice that some brands are more consistent than others. You might also notice that some brands have quality issues. These reviews can help you learn more about the brands you’re considering so you can make the most informed purchasing decision.

Price isn’t everything — but it should be a factor when purchasing a laptop

Before you make your final purchase, make sure you’ve considered the price. You might be tempted to simply take the cheapest laptop you see, but that might not be the best move. Think about how often you’ll use your laptop and how heavy it will be on your shoulders. A more expensive laptop is one that will tend to last longer, have more storage, and other important factors.  However, this doesn’t mean that all cheap laptops aren’t worth considering either.  There are several great cheap laptops you can look at if you’d prefer to save as much money as possible when buying a laptop.

The most important thing is that you look for is a laptop with features that are within a price range that is comfortable for you. If you’re willing to spend a certain amount of money on a laptop, you can find a model that has a lot of the features that you want. However, if you’re on a relatively tight budget and want a laptop that performs well, you’ll have to sacrifice a few things. Similarly, if you have a lot of money saved up and you’re looking to splurge on a laptop, be aware that there may be better options with the same price tag that are more affordable.

Avoid ultra-light laptops if you need something that will last

If you need something that will last, avoid ultra-light laptops. These types of laptops are typically very thin, and they’re often made of plastic. It’s unlikely that these laptops will stand the test of time. These laptops are typically very fragile, and it’s unlikely that they’ll last more than a year or two.

Consider how often you’ll use your laptop and weigh that against other factors

Now that you’ve considered what you’ll use your laptop for, it’s time to consider how often you’ll use it. You might be surprised by the answers you find. If you’ll be using your laptop for school assignments, you might be better off with a heavier and more expensive laptop that will last longer; buying one that will last you all the way through school instead of a laptop every couple of years will help save you money in the long run. The same goes for if you’re buying a laptop for work, where you know that you’ll be using the laptop frequently and for several years.

Don’t forget about resale value

Resale value can definitely help you get the most out of your laptop. Consider how much value you’ll receive from the laptop you purchase. How much will it be worth if you resell it? This is another reason you should consider buying a more expensive laptop, as you can still resell it for a good price once you decide to upgrade or switch to another laptop.

How do you weigh portability, battery life, and durability?

Most people think about battery life and portability when purchasing a new laptop, but durability is just as important. The kind of laptop you’re going to use every day should be one that will be able to survive being dropped, spilled on, etc. This may mean that you might want to choose a heavier and bulkier laptop to ensure that it can handle daily wear and tear from being used everyday.

User reviews are a huge help too

When you make your decision on which laptop to purchase, make sure to take advantage of the reviews that are out there. Looking at user reviews – as well as looking at whether the laptop is a best selling laptop– is a great way to find out what other people think about a certain model.  You can also use this information as a benchmark for how well your chosen laptop is performing. You can also use user reviews to determine if a certain brand of laptop is better or worse than their competitors.  It’s important to keep in mind that user reviews are not always reliable, so be cautious when using them as a sole source of information.

Don’t forget about the warranty and service options

There’s nothing more frustrating than purchasing a new laptop and then having to deal with the hassle of a broken screen or other hardware issue. The best way to avoid these problems is to purchase a laptop that comes with a warranty. A warranty protects you if your laptop malfunctions, whether it be due to defective parts or poor manufacturing. Some companies may even offer extended warranty plans on select models. This protects you in case the original warranty is insufficient and a defect develops.

How cheap and easy will it be to fix your laptop if it breaks?

This is a major consideration when purchasing a new laptop. The repair and service costs for your laptop will be a huge part of the overall cost of ownership for your new machine. While some of the issues with laptops – such as them slowing down – can be fixed with simple tricks found online, you need to watch out for laptop brands and models that will be difficult to fix if they break down completely.  If your laptop is likely to break down often and it’s expensive, you may want to consider buying a new model. Be sure to factor repair and service costs into your laptop purchasing decisions if you want the best value for money.