Sorting through the crowded field of laptop deals can be daunting and stressful. A smart consumer needs clear goals, a basic working knowledge of the laptop market, and a solid game plan to succeed at getting the right laptop computer at the best price.
Tips on Buying a Laptop
Consumers planning to purchase a laptop should follow these basic strategies:
- Determine Needs - A laptop purchase should not be an impulse buy, based on a colorful ad. The purchase decision should, first and foremost, be driven by need. Why does the consumer need a laptop? Why a laptop instead of a desktop? What will the laptop be used for? If email and basic word processing, a multimedia powerhouse is not necessary. If, however, the person plans to do graphic design work, a Celeron with limited RAM simply won't do. Start with need.
- Prioritize Desirables - After needs have been determined, consumers should make a list of "wants" -- desirable features and accessories that would complement the purchase. These should be prioritized.
- Establish Budget - The bottom line is that consumers can't always afford a laptop with everything they want. A realistic price range should be set, based on the consumer's budget, including how much he or she is able or willing to save in preparation for the purchase.
- Research - Once the consumer has determined his or her needs, prioritized the "wants," and set a price range, it's time to shop. Consumers should look for the best deals in retail outlets as well as online.
Consumers shopping for laptop computers should consider brand name, durability, hard drive, processor, memory, and warranty.
Brand name is important, as it speaks to the laptop's reliability and the company's reputation. Generally reputable brand names include (but are not limited to) Sony, Toshiba, Dell, Acer, and Compaq. Of course, some companies have both excellent brand name models as well as lemons, so consumers must employ due diligence.
Laptops to Consider
While research will reveal numerous options, here are a few possibilities that consumers should look into, according to price range:
- Budget Shoppers -- Consumers looking for decent laptops under $1,000 should look into the Pavilion DV266OSE (boasting a 1.5-GHz Core 2 Duo T5250 CPU and 250 GB Hard Drive) and the Dell Inspiron 1525 (with a 2-GHz Core 2 Duo T7250 CPU and 120 GB Hard Drive).
- Mid-range -- Those looking to beef up their laptop to the next level should seriously consider the Apple MacBook (2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo, Mac OS) or the Gateway P-7811FX (Centrino 2 CPU and Nvidia GeForce 9800 graphics, 4 GB RAM).
- High-end -- Consumers willing to spend at the high end and who want powerhouse laptops should research the Sony VAIO VGN-AW180YQ (Intel Core 2 Duo T9600, 4GB DDR) or the ASUS U2E-B3B WXGA Notebook (Intel Core Duo ULV U7600, 4 GB DDR).
There are other excellent options, however the above represent good starting points for consumers.
Buy the Right Laptop
Ultimately, the consumer must be pleased with her laptop purchase. No one should simply "follow the crowd" and buy the laptop that seems most popular, nor should a person feel pressured into buying by an aggressive sales person.
A wise consumer will take the time to determine need, prioritize wants, set a budget, and do the research. With the right game plan, consumers can grab the right laptop at a great price.
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