Jan 31 2010
How To Find A Cheap Laptop With Plenty Of Value
If you're in the market for a cheap laptop, there are few things you should keep in mind so that you don't walk away with an outdated or faulty machine that won't meet your requirement. Careful thought and the willingness to shop around and ask questions are necessary to ensure that you get what you paid for.
Be sure of exactly what you're looking for.
Don't get roped into buying a laptop that is beyond your budget and comes with extras that you just don't need. Write out a list of things you must have, and things you can get away without. One example of this is buying a laptop that doesn't have wireless internet built into it, then buying a cheap USB connector for as little as $10.
A cheap laptop usually isn't going to be amazing. If you are going to be using high-tech software with a lot of system demands, you will probably need to look at getting a more expensive laptop with better specifications. If you're mostly going to be doing word processing and sending emails, you can get away with less than a gigabyte of RAM and a standard Intel core processor. See if you can save money by purchasing a laptop with less RAM and upgrading it. The hard drive shouldn't need more than 40 GB of space.
Out of Windows XP and Vista, XP will probably suit your needs better. It works with current programs and uses less RAM to run.
Battery life can have a big impact on the cost, but may not be an important factor for the user. Ask yourself how often you are actually going to use your laptop in places without access to power points. Outdoors you are likely to experience screen glare anyway, so you will probably be able to use your laptop charger most places you go.
Screen size will vary according to the price you pay. A cheap laptop will often have a big, bulky screen that doesn't easily fit in laptop bags and is harder to transport. A mini laptop of similar price might be too small. It comes down to preference, and what you use your laptop for. Big screens suit movie watching, but may have a negative effect on text readability.
Pre-used laptops.
The general advice with regards to purchasing used laptops is: don't. It's to end up with a bad deal. However, a bit of patience and know-how can land you a fantastic bargain. In the end, it really comes down to finding a trusted buyer and asking the right questions.
1. If someone you know is selling a good, cheap laptop, then that's likely to be your best offer. Otherwise it is advisable that you seek out a trusted computer resaler.
2. Find out why the laptop is being sold. You don't want to find out too late that it was sold because the original owner was having problems with it. A good reason might be if they have just moved in with a partner who already has a laptop, or if they have upgraded to something better and just have no use for the old one any more.
3. Age matters with laptops. Anything older than five years will have fewer capabilities than more recent models, and will start to become incompatible with newer software products. If you find a laptop for sale that is less than one year old then you should be asking why it is being resold so soon.
4. The best combination for price is a laptop that is one or two years old and being sold at about half its original selling price. An over-priced laptop that is older than four or five years is a money waster, and a really cheap computer in near-new condition is likely to be faulty.
5. Be wary of a machine that doesn't come with warranty still in place, as you could be up for big bucks if it breaks down.
6. The original proof of purchase is a good thing to have, both in making sure that the item isn't stolen, and in case it is required to validate the warranty.
7. Is the seller prepared to provide a full refund if you aren't completely satisfied with your purchase? If not, don't bother. You may end up paying for a lemon.
Andrew Johnson is an expert in electronic consumables. If you would like further information about varieties of cheap laptop or are looking for a reputable computer retailer please visit http://www.ebuyer.com