A quick one; what’s the most important device you own right now? A laptop must have crossed your mind, right? And if you don’t have one yet, plans are on the way to get one.
If you are thinking of buying a new laptop or replacing the old one, you’ve got no room for error. As such, you need to know the common mistakes with selecting laptops. This will be a significant purchase, and you must get it right the first time.
When shopping for a laptop, you are not limited to options. You’ve got different types of laptops from multiple brands and in different price ranges. Also, you need to check on features such as storage, battery life, CPU specs, display size, and more.
Keep in mind; there is no one-for-all kind of laptop. Whether for school, work, communication, browsing, or play, you must find the perfect device to suit your needs.For example, if you want something for work the HP Dragonfly laptop may be a good choice as it allows you to work from anywhere – it is light, powerful, with extended battery life and in-built security.
But what if you knew the common pitfalls to avoid when choosing a laptop? Making the laptop purchase would be plain-sailing, right? Here are 10 common mistakes with selecting laptops and how to avoid them.
1. Focusing on One Specification or Feature
Well, you already know for what reason you need a laptop, right? Also, you’ve probably researched the most important feature for top performance. For instance, if buying a gaming laptop, you know the laptop should have powerful graphics to offer the ultimate gaming experience.
While this is important, it’s never a great idea to focus so much on one feature, forgetting others. While your gaming laptop should have powerful graphics, it also needs a powerful processor, large RAM/ROM, and good battery life. Paying much attention to graphics disregarding other key features means you don’t get top performance.
Regardless of why you are buying a laptop, make sure it has all the features to support the intended purpose. It’s imperative that as you check for your most important and preferred features, balance the others too. You want to get a machine with good battery life, graphics, resolution, processor speed, storage, RAM, and others
2. Overpaying for a Laptop
For most people, paying more means better quality. Well, the notion is derived from the popular saying, ‘you get what you pay for’. However, this is not always the case, especially when buying a laptop.
You don’t have to have to spend thousands of dollars to get the best laptop. Also, at times it doesn’t help to overpay for a laptop with features that you’ll never use.
For instance, why should you buy a gaming laptop for basic home use, such as checking mails and browsing, just because you believe it covers all bases. Unless the laptop will be used with demanding apps or video games, a gaming laptop is so powerful for basic home use. Opt for a much cheaper laptop that will get the job done.
When buying a laptop, you need the ideal one to meet your current and future needs. Going through your needs can help identify the perfect machine to choose and within a reasonable price.
3. Buying the Cheapest Laptop
While you shouldn’t buy the most expensive laptop on the market, neither should you go for the cheap. Well, ‘you get what you pay for,’ applies here. If you go for the cheapest laptop, chances are you’ll make numerous visits to a repair service before you are back in the market for another one.
Cheap laptops can be slow, unable to run multiple programs at once, lag a lot, and have insufficient storage space. In the end, you’ll end up regretting buying it with so many frustrations.
Before making a purchase, research your options, price range, and features. Strike a balance between all these elements to make the right purchase.
4. Failing to Research
One of the most important steps to ensure you get the perfect laptop is conducting thorough research. Most people start shopping for laptops without a clear idea of what they are looking for. In most cases, such a purchase is always a bad one.
Before you start shopping, know exactly what you want. Have a checklist indicating all the features you need and at what budget. The internet is a great resource to help you know what kind of laptop you need for your intended purpose.
For instance, if you’ll be running professional-grade software, you’ll need a laptop with specs to handle such use. Visit reputable review sites to have an idea of the kind of laptop that will suit your needs.
5. Not shopping Around
As you research laptops, don’t forget to check out different retailers. When buying a laptop, remember that not all retailers are the same. Unfortunately, some are better than others.
You want to purchase from a reputable retailer with great customer service. The retailer should be known to sell genuine and quality laptops from reputable brands. Always read customers’ reviews online to get an idea about what it is like to buy from the retailer.
Also, shopping around will help you get a better deal by comparing laptop prices. Different retailers may sell the same laptop at different prices, and you want to get yourself the best laptop deals.
6. Trusting a Brand Blindly
Today, there are so many laptop brands to choose from. These brands also manufacture other products, such as home appliances in most cases. It could be that you have a TV from a certain brand, and it has served you well for years.
However, before you buy a laptop from that same brand, carry out your research diligently. The reason is, every product manufactured by a company is different. The brand makes the best televisions but has the worst laptops.
You want to check reviews online about their laptops and check what past buyers are saying. Be open-minded and consider all the brands for the best laptop in your purchase.
7. Not Checking on Size and Weight
I bet one of the reasons you didn’t go for a desktop is the laptop’s portability, right? Well, you must consider this when making your purchase. And remember, not every laptop is as portable as you might think.
Laptops come in a wide range of sizes, and some can be quite heavy to carry around. While a bigger laptop will feature a big display offering a better viewing experience, the downside is portability. On the other hand, a smaller laptop may have a smaller screen, trackpad, and keyboard but is highly portable.
If you expect to transit every morning to school or work with the laptop, you must be keen on the size. Find a laptop that is easy to carry around in your backpack without hurting your shoulders or back.
To achieve this, ensure to read the weight and size specifications of the laptops online. Also, you may want to hold it and make a judgment if buying it from a brick-and-mortar store.
8. Trusting the Salesperson
Another common mistake people make when buying laptops is listening to salespeople. While you think they have your best interest when advising you, that’s not the case. The salesperson just wants to sell you the laptop and get a commission out of it.
Bowing to their pressure and influence could be the leeway to making a regrettable decision. Also, the salesperson could compel you to buy the wrong laptop that doesn’t suit your needs and purpose.
While listening to what they are saying, be sure to carry out your own research.
9. Choosing Design Over Function
Most people make the grave mistake of choosing an aesthetically appealing laptop, disregarding functionality. However, you don’t want to follow the same path.
While your laptop should have an eye-catching design, you should never choose design over function. Before buying it, you need to consider the laptop’s durability, hardware, and interface. If you want a stylish device, conduct your legwork and be sure to find one to offer both.
10. Failure to Check on Repair Options
You’ve invested a lot of time researching the perfect laptop to buy, right? While it works perfectly for years, sometimes even the best laptop will break down and need repair. In such a sitch, what will happen?
When buying a laptop, check on the available repair options. Also, research the laptop’s common issues and how easy it is to have them repaired. Check if its repair components are readily available and how long repairs will take.
Here are Common Mistakes with Selecting Laptops
Buying a laptop is a longtime investment, and you want to be spot on to avoid future inconveniences. While buying a laptop might seem intimidating, knowing the common mistakes to avoid can simplify the process.
Above, find the common mistakes with selecting laptops and learn how to avoid them.
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