5 Common Laptop-Buying Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid

While it’s good to know your own mind, it’d still be wise to do some homework before proceeding with your purchase. The last thing you want to do is to buy a laptop that doesn’t suit your needs!

Not doing research is just one mistake people who are shopping for a laptop make. It turns out there are many other mistakes, too!

Read over these common laptop-buying mistakes. That way, you can avoid getting the wrong laptop and, instead, get the perfect one for you!

1. Not Doing Enough Research

You may be loyal to a specific laptop brand, and you can only see yourself buying an Apple computer. But have you considered researching and comparing other brands, like Lenovo or Dell?

It’s easy to get used to a single brand that you never decide to branch out. If it works for your needs and you can’t see yourself trying another brand, that’s understandable. But it still wouldn’t hurt to research what some of the most popular laptops are.

You may be a college student or professional. If so, getting the correct type of laptop can save you a big headache down the road. You don’t want to buy the wrong laptop only to realize there’s one more suitable for you later.

For example, as you shop around, you may discover features you weren’t aware of on a Dell that you’d prefer over a MacBook. Based on your research, you may decide to go with a completely different brand.

You didn’t think you’d change your mind, but another brand offers more of what you need!

2. Not Trying it First

After doing your research, you may be sold on the computer, so ordering it online is your next step. Ordering a laptop online is indeed convenient. (You don’t have to stand in line, and it’s easy to purchase with the click of the button!)

Even so, you’d be wise to try your top pick first at the store. Head to a store that’s local to you, like Apple or Best Buy. Play around on the computer you want to buy for at least five minutes so you can get the feel of it.

If there’s a salesperson nearby, pick their brain and ask them what they think of the computer. Hopefully, they’ll give you their honest opinion and not base it on what they need to sell that day. If there’s any doubt, consult with another person for a second opinion!

3. Over Paying

It’s easy to get sucked up into buying a laptop with extra features you don’t need.

For example, if you’re a gamer, high-spec computers cost up to four thousand dollars and more. But do you have to get the most costly computer to play games?

With incredible processors and graphic cards, some gaming laptops and computers are impossible to ignore.

What makes them so expensive? Well, select PCs, like the Alienware Aurora R11, come with liquid cooling and graphic combinations.

The same goes for non-gamer computers, too. You may be tempted to pay a lot of money on a new MacBook Pro with extra storage space (like 3TB). It sounds convenient not having to ever run out of space. And yet, it’s a lot more affordable to get an external drive at a later point if you need it!

4. Not Taking Size Into Consideration

You may be looking for a thin and compact computer that’ll fit in a backpack. Yet, there’s a new Apple computer with impressive specs that has caught your eye. But this computer weighs more than you’d like, and you’ll need a more oversized backpack to haul it around.

Although having a larger machine with more specs may seem nice, it likely won’t be a good fit for you if you travel a lot. Instead, you need something lightweight that’ll be easy for you to work on the go.

If you end up working more often at home in the future, consider getting a bigger computer then. But for now, stay practical and get a laptop that’ll suit your traveling lifestyle needs.

5. Not Thinking About the Future

Are you buying a computer just for today, or will it work for years to come as well?

Technology moves at lightning speed. So as soon as you buy a laptop, you better believe there’s already a newer and better one that’ll soon get released.

While you can’t escape that, you can plan and think about what you’ll need in the future.

For example, if your existing computer doesn’t have much space, your next computer should have more room. 1TB isn’t going to cut it if you’re transferring 1TB of files from your old computer to your new one. You’ll need at least another 1TB or will need to get external storage.

Also, check to see how long certain laptop components last. While a brand like Dell can’t guarantee how long a computer will last, that’s where reviews come into play. Don’t forget to read reviews from people who have had the laptop for a while to see if they provide any feedback about its longevity.

Conclusion

Getting a new laptop is exciting, especially if you’ve been saving for a while to get one. Before committing to a specific laptop, though, make sure you’re confident in your decision.

If you’re a busy professional, you don’t want to end up with a laptop that’s heavy and doesn’t have enough storage. What you do want to end up with is a reliable and lightweight computer with enough storage.

You can easily avoid making the wrong decision by doing your homework. Then, with any luck, you’ll end up with the perfect laptop that suits all your needs!