Did you know that in the
Netherlands, a staggering 97.6% of households owned at least one computer in
2017? Or that in 2019, almost two-thirds of all households in Korea also had a
computer?
This year, tech industry experts
forecast global computer ownership to skyrocket further. After all, many
employees are now remote workers, while students have at-home classes.
If you're one of these folks and you
need a new laptop, this list of saving money tips can help you score a great
tech deal. Read on to discover how you can snag an awesome computer for much
less.
1.
Don't Let Tech Lingo Bedazzle You Too Much
In computers, the higher the number
associated with a spec, the more impressive it usually is. For example, an
eight-core processor is twice faster than a four-core processor. Another
example is a 4000 (UHD) display, which has twice more pixels than the 1080p
(HD).
However, even if higher specs are
incredible, they're not always the best choice.
For example, an eight-core processor
will just go to waste if the user only needs to use the laptop for basic tasks.
These processors are often best for more serious gamers and professionals. It's
not practical if you only need a laptop for text editing, browsing, and
streaming.
As for a 4000 ultra high definition
display, most folks won't see its difference with a 1080p screen. Only the most
serious gamers and photo or video editors who deal with pixels and resolution
will. Even if you stream a lot of HD movies or play indie to mid-tier games, a
1080p screen will often suffice.
Moreover, the higher the laptop
specs, the pricier it is.
Take Apple’s new MacBook Air base
model, for instance, which costs $899. This is enough for students and average
users, with its eight-core processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage. Go
with the higher configuration (512 GB of storage), and it’ll cost you $1,149.
You don’t really need 512 GB of
storage unless you produce so much data. If you do need more than 256 GB, you
can just sign up for a paid iCloud account that costs $0.99 a month for 50 GB
or $2.99 for 200 GB.
In addition, the higher the specs
(especially the screen), the more juice it needs to consume. That’s why UHD
laptops run out of battery way faster than their 1080p counterparts.
2.
Don't Be Too Stingy, Either
You'll find mini-laptops (usually
Chromebooks) that cost under $300 or even less than $200. These are ideal for
students on an extremely tight budget. However, they don't last long between
charges, as they have smaller batteries.
If you need a laptop for work, it's
best to go with a traditional laptop or even a two-in-one model. It's your
income on the line, so you don't want to compromise that by being too stingy.
Otherwise, you can expect your low-performance device to affect your
productivity.
For average computer users, 4GB of
RAM, 8GB of storage, and a dual or quad-core processor are already enough. With
these specs, you can do basic tasks with speed, such as text and photo editing,
browsing, and streaming. They're also sufficient for medium-heavy tasks, such
as video editing and indie gaming.
3.
Go With "Green" Technology Investments
Every year, the world produces over 50 million metric tons of electronic waste.
Worse, only 20% of these discarded phones, laptops, and other electronics get
recycled.
Because of this, tech makers have
started to use recyclables in their products. For example, Apple's 2018 MacBook
Air now features 100% recycled and recyclable aluminum. Lenovo also uses 10% to 85% post-consumer recycled content (PCC) plastics.
However, you should also do your
part in limiting your e-waste production. You'd want to go with
"green" tech, but you should also consider buying an upgradeable
laptop. These are devices that allow you to upgrade parts like memory and
storage.
Suppose you're on quite a tight
budget now but need to buy a new laptop ASAP. However, you foresee yourself
needing more RAM or disk space next year. In this case, you can buy an
upgradable unit now for less and then get more memory and space next year.
In the above example, you don't have
to discard the entire laptop you bought. You only have to install the
additional RAM and disk space to boost its performance.
So, how do you choose an
"upgradable" laptop then?
First, check that the unit doesn't
have "soldered" components. Soldering is a process in which RAM
sticks or disk drives get glued onto the internals. Soldered laptop parts
aren't removable, so they aren't upgradable, either.
All computer makers indicate if a
product features soldered parts. If not, they should state that their RAM or
drive is "upgradable" or "non-soldered."
4.
Go With a Refurbished Laptop
If you need a new low-cost laptop
right away, consider going for a refurbished unit. Refurbished laptops aren't
"fresh from the factory," nor are they "used," but they are
as "good as new." They don't fall under "brand new" as
they've had a previous owner, albeit only for a day or two.
Most refurbished laptops are those
that get sold but then returned within a few days. Among the most common
reasons for return are cosmetic flaws. Sometimes, they may also get returned
because they weren't the model the buyer expected to get.
Store models, open-box units, and
overstock supplies also often get sold refurbished.
Because of this, refurbished laptops
come with significant discounts.
Don't worry, as these units undergo
stringent manufacturer testing during the refurbishing process. The
refurbishing team checks and fixes all the units' hardware and software flaws.
They then wrap these fully-working laptops in new packaging before selling them
again.
Moreover, the refurbishing company
also ensures they come with a laptop warranty.
So, if you don't mind a
slightly-older laptop model, consider going refurb. Since these are good-as-new
items, many of them also last as long as the brand-new ones.
5.
Mark Your Calendar for the Biggest Tech Industry Sales
The tech industry runs two of its
biggest sales at the end of November until the start of December each year.
Black Friday occurs in November, specifically on the Friday following
Thanksgiving Day. By contrast, Cyber Monday happens on the Monday right after
Thanksgiving Day.
With that said, one of the best
money-saving tips to abide by is to make your tech purchases on any of these
two days.
However, many online tech platforms,
like Lenovo.com, offer deals before Black Friday. The very beginning of
November usually marks many computer makers' site-wide sales. These companies
mark down the prices of most products launched before the holidays.
So, it's no wonder that from
November 1 to December 2, 2019, shoppers spent $81.5 billion on online tech purchases. That should prompt you to start
shopping around for a new laptop as early as day one of the eleventh month of
the year. This way, you can get your hands on your dream computer before its
stocks run out.
6.
Wait It Out Until Next Year
Speaking of tech sales, did you know
that Black Friday spurred the birth of 1,000 other shopping holidays? So, this means that even if you
don't score a deal during Black Friday or Cyber Monday, you still have a lot of
chances.
For instance, you can wait until
after the yearly Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This event usually occurs
during January of each year. Many technology makers launch their new models
during this time of the year.
As a result, tech makers reduce
their existing products' prices to give way for the new ones.
Another big tech event usually
followed by price drops is the Microsoft Build. The schedule varies, but it
usually takes place during May, June, or July each year.
The back-to-school season, from late
July to early August, also triggers tech sales too. It's for everyone, and not
only students and educators. If you're a student or a teacher, though, you can
get educational discounts throughout the year.
Next up is the European
Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA), often scheduled during September.
Traditionally, companies like Samsung and LG used this to launch their new TVs.
However, tech makers have since then used it to promote their new laptops and
mobile devices.
Shop
Around for a New Laptop Early So You Can Be Ready to Snag a Deal
There you have it, your ultimate
guide on money-saving tips within the tech industry. As you can see, there are
at least half a dozen ways to cut your costs when you purchase a new laptop. If
you don't want to go refurbished, you can always snag a deal during the
holidays or wait until the CES is over.
Feel free to bookmark this page so
you can always reference it in case you forget when the biggest tech deals are.
In the meantime, you can also check out our other informative how-to guides and
blog posts!
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