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Laptops are expensive and when you buy used good ones from sites like Amazon you get what you pay for. There are some basic mistakes most people make when buying laptops though that should not deter you from making a purchase. A lot of people want to buy the latest and greatest when they could be getting a used one for a better price. Another common mistake is overspending on a new laptop.
If you have money to spend on a laptop but don’t know what to get, don’t worry. We’ll show you some common mistakes and provide some good suggestions so you end up buying the right thing for any level of gaming or creative activity.
This article lists some of the most common mistakes as well as advice on how to avoid them. A majority of people make these mistakes when they are intimidated by the notion of putting a computer in their handbag or under their bed. Laptops are expensive tools. They deserve to be handled with care and attention.
Common Mistakes
We’ve put together this list of the most common mistakes people make when buying their new laptop and we’ll go through them all below:
Buying too cheap
The computer is one of the few things you can use every day so don’t scrimp on it. There are a lot of cheap computers out there and it’s all too easy to buy the last one that your eyes fall on.
Not having an idea about what you need To start off with,
You need to know what sort of thing the computer will be used for. A Windows 10 laptop will be pointless if you’re only using it for surfing the internet or Facebook, but a Macbook Air might just be perfect. Don’t assume that just because Apple has a reputation for making good computers, that you can get by on less. Set aside some money for extras such as extra memory and if possible an external monitor.
Buying too expensive
This is going to be a large investment and you should be prepared to pay for good quality. What’s more, these computers are still improving so don’t expect it to be outdated as soon as you get it.
Not deciding on what sort of operating system you need
An operating system is the first thing you need to buy with the computer and this will affect what sort of thing it is that you can use. If you’re looking at Mac or Linux, then that’s probably the end of your decision-making process for that computer because you won’t be able to run Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 on those.
Not choosing the right size
There’s really only two options when it comes to laptops: 12, 14 or 15 inches. If you’re making a present for someone then you don’t need to go smaller than 12 inches. The extra screen space doesn’t really make any difference and although there are some huge laptops out there, they’re not really worth buying because of the amount of space they take up in your bag.
There’s also going to be a size limit at the top end of the market so don’t go for something more expensive than this for no reason, plus it will probably come with too much power for what you need.
Not choosing a brand that has a good reputation
It’s all too easy to order a laptop online when you don’t know anything about it and that’s not necessarily the best way to do things. It’s always worth going into a store and trying them on first, before making any decisions. There are lots of brands out there so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the one that you like.
Not choosing one that fits your needs
You should also take an advantage of buying online because this means you can take a look at some reviews of the product before you make your final decision. This is something that will be useful for checking which brand is more reliable or how good they are at fixing broken products under warranty.
Not choosing a brand that sells the right parts
You can’t use the same parts that your laptop came with, unless it’s something like a motherboard/CPU that has been specifically designed for laptops. You’ll need some sort of operating system and you’ll have to buy an internal hard disk drive, RAM and possibly an optical drive for installing software.
Not buying one with a good warranty
The best option is to buy from a company that offers a warranty on all of their products but this is not necessary. A repair should last at least two years, which will give you time to make sure the product isn’t faulty before the warranty runs out.
Not buying from a company that will help you if anything goes wrong
If you have to send your laptop back then you’ll need a company that has the best customer service or one that will give a full refund. Make sure to check what their terms are before you buy anything. If you’re worried about buying online from another country, then try to find out as much as possible about them first. It’s best to give them a call or email and ask some questions. If you’re still not sure, then go ahead and email them for more information.
Not Checking The Weight
When you want to order something online, then always check what the weight is first and make sure it’s reasonable. If you’re ordering more than one product, then it’s better to look at websites that give a total shipping fee that includes tax and other fees. Usually if shipping costs are higher than 10%, then it’s probably not worth ordering from that company.
Not Checking Ports and Compatibility
You can ignore ports and compatibility of laptop in order to buy lowest price laptop. But if you are thinking about buying this product for your own use and not necessarily for someone else’s, then things will become complicated. You need to know what features are available on laptop which will make buying easier. You also need to know what features will work good together and what’s the general compatibility of laptop with various computers systems.
It’s necessary to prioritize your needs and their compatibility with other devices. The portable could be a huge benefit for you or your business, so make sure that you know what’s compatible with it. This guide will help you to choose the best laptop for travelling or business and ignore the ports as well as the compatibility of these devices among others.
Not Trying Before Buying
Not trying before buying a laptop is not innovative. It is lazy thinking. And it is the single biggest factor in damage to your credit score. The day you decide you are going to buy a computer regardless of whether or not you have a brand or model preference, and spend money on it without screening out the most obvious alternatives, puts your credit score at risk of a data breach, identity theft or other financial misadventure.
A mistake when buying a laptop is not looking around at all the different features. There are a lot of different features out there, and some laptops have more than others. Some laptops have a lot of built in software that you can use. Some have more memory than others. However, look at all the features and make sure you find something that fits your needs and is the right model for you.
If you don’t find what you need at the retail store, then don’t be afraid to look around at online stores as well. Most stores will send out their products for free to some online retailers so that people can test them out before they purchase them to make sure they work as expected, but there are also plenty of websites out there where the products are sold directly from the manufacturer and are just waiting to be picked up by someone who can buy them.
Getting More Memory Than Needed
Another mistake that people often make when buying laptops (especially if they are students) is getting more memory than they actually need. Memory is one thing that you really do want to have a lot of. But, when it comes to buying it, you should figure out exactly what you need before you start buying.
You might be surprised, but one of the main reasons that people feel like they need more memory than they do is because of all the programs being run at the same time as well as how many programs are running at the same time. If this sounds like something that you might do, then make sure that you are not putting yourself into more debt than you really have to.
Not Considering Battery Life
A mistake that people often make when buying laptops is getting one with a little too much battery life and not being able to use it while plugged in if necessary. One reason that people think they need longer battery life is because they haven’t researched on what programs are going to be installed and how much memory they will need. You don’t need the battery life that you think you do in order to use the laptop properly and if you have a lot of programs installed, then your battery is going to drain very quickly.
Remember that buying laptops online can be dangerous if you don’t make sure that they are authentic. If you are still unsure, then don’t hesitate in calling around at different stores or even ask your friends. You’ll get your answer soon enough!
Also, it is always best to check the backing store who will replace the defective parts with a new one. Remember though that there might be a fee involved in this situation where some may require an RMA number or order confirmation number.
