There is no doubt that laptops have, in many ways, become preferred over desktop computers, especially as remote working has crept further into our lives and the need to have portable technology becomes more prevalent. What has not changed, however, is the fact that laptop prices remain quite high, which makes laptop deals something many a company is constantly on the lookout for.
But laptop deals come with their own risks, especially with the arrival of Windows 11, so before you jump to make a down payment on your next laptop these are a handful of helpful buying tips that you should keep in mind.
- Check the operating system
It is not just a fight between operating systems, but also the version of operating system.
Since Windows 10 is now somewhat outdated, at least in the eyes of Microsoft, and the move over to Windows 11 is happening rapidly, laptops with the older version of Windows go on sale.
Initially, this might seem like an excellent way to get a good quality laptop at a cheaper price, but the reality is that there will come a time when your operating system does become out of date and you will be forced to pay for the update. And essentially, you will end up paying out more, making your laptop deal look less appealing.
- Hybrid Laptops vs. Traditional Laptops
Depending on what your needs might be, opting for a 2 in 1 laptop, while on special, might not be saving you money.
Hybrid laptops are basically flexible in that they can be used as laptops or they can be converted into tablets, complete with a detachable keyboard for easier use. Now, these laptops are great for a variety of reasons and yet they are not always necessary for an office environment. Generally hybrid laptops are used by those in the creative world, as they do make things easier for artists but for office use, they can actually be a hindrance.
So, if you see a hybrid laptop deal, instead of grabbing it just because it is cheaper than usual, ask yourself if it is necessary for your day to day work, and if not, give it a skip and go for something you can actually benefit from.
- Compare your prices
When you spot a laptop deal, especially if you have already been looking around for a new laptop, your first instinct can be to place an order. What you might neglect to do is to continue looking at prices to make sure that the deal you’ve found is a legit deal.
Time and again, and often during the holiday season, laptop deals are a dime a dozen, but when compared to regular prices you might find that you are being sucked into a sales ploy. So be sure to compare your prices and when comparing your prices research the brand and find out what the laptop comes with.
- Don’t buy a laptop for today
Many laptop deals are deals because the supplier or the seller is trying to get rid of a laptop that is about to go out of date.
Basically, they know new technology is about to become available and they are trying to make space in their stock by creating a laptop sale. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but depending on what your needs are, it is a rule of thumb to not buy a laptop for today but for the future. Basically, you should always think of your laptop as an investment.
- Think about storage space
Sometimes the laptop specials hide how much storage space you will have available to you. While you shouldn’t obsess over storage space, it is still a big enough deal that you should consider it before you make your purchase. In fact, all of the specifics matter, again, depending on what your needs are, so check carefully what the laptop has going on, in terms of both hardware and software.