Exercise Laptop

How to Find a Cheap Laptop

Finding a cheap laptop is not necessarily an exercise in forbearance, but rather a combination of knowing what one wants and the fortitude it takes to shop around and do a little background research. It also helps if one is willing to accept a last generation model or a factory refurbished unit still under warranty by the manufacturer and/or vendor.

In order to determine what one wants out of a cheap laptop, they have to perform an honest analysis of their needs. Do they need to burn DVDs very often? If not, then forgo the DVD burning option. Do they need to play games? If no, then consider going with an integrated graphics solution instead of the latest and greatest discrete mobile graphics chipset. Does one really need an ultra-fast CPU, or would a lower grade CPU get the job done only a few seconds slower? How many gigabytes of RAM are really necessary for the applications the cheap laptop will be expected to run routinely?

It is easy to fall into the trap of cutting and slashing system specs to the point where a cheap laptop becomes virtually useless. Remember, this is an exercise in frugality, not an attempt to cobble together the crummiest system on the face of the planet. Don’t forgo something if it truly is important.

Once an honest appraisal is complete, one can then start hunting for a cheap laptop that meets these requirements. Many manufacturers offer excellent prices directly to the public via their own web sites, and often include discounts on refurbished and/or overstocked models. There are also deals to be had at retailers such as Best-Buy and Walmart, though one should be wary of purchasing a cheap laptop that has an insufficient warranty or lacks a popular operating system.

On the subject of software, one might consider cheap laptops that run Linux. These laptops are only suitable for those with basic web browsing, e-mailing, and document manipulation needs, but they can be substantially less expensive than Windows powered laptops due to a combination of licensing fees and the fact that Linux runs well on hardware that couldn’t handle Windows. An honest assessment of software related needs is important at this juncture as well.

There may also be good deals on second hand laptops via local computer stores as well as online auction houses such as eBay. Consumers would be well advised to consider second hand laptops only if a warranty is not an issue.

There is an old expression that is used throughout the computing industry: that which makes no difference is no difference. This is especially true for consumers willing to accept last generation models, factory refurbished models, or a combination thereof. As an example, at the time of this writing there are sheik MacBook Airs available for under $1000 with factory warranties directly from Apple’s own online store. They may not be as fast as the current models, but they still look nice and are probably capable of performing any task that the current generation MacBook Air can for at least $500 less.

About the Author

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in computer hardware. If you would like more help choosing a cheap laptop please visit http://www.ebuyer.com

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