If you’re a student and have to pay for everything including your laptop and school supplies, then we know that things might be tough for you. The fact that a $1200 laptop is considered affordable is mind blowing, and you might be taken aback by some of the prices you’re seeing right now.
The good news here is that most students can get away with mid-priced machines. A bottom-of-the-barrel model might not be enough, but you should be able to find something that will handle most school work in the $800 to $1200 range. Here’s how you can save money when buying a school laptop.
Take Advantage of Back-to-School Specials
Back-to-school sales are one of the best times of the year to buy laptops. So, wait until school is about to start if you can and you might be able to score some crazy deals online and offline.
It would be a good idea to sign up for a few retailer and manufacturer newsletters and bookmark their websites so you can come back often. Manufacturers like Lenovo, for instance, are known for their great back-to-school specials and have specials throughout the year, so keep your eyes peeled for a Lenovo laptop PC sale.
Forget About Advanced Specs
If the laptop you can afford has a low-tier card, or even an integrated graphics chip, then you’ll have to eat it and wait until you can afford something better if you want to use your laptop for things like gaming as well as school work.
This is a sacrifice you have to be willing to make, and besides, even a GTX 1650 card will be more than enough to play many of the most popular games at the moment. You may not be able to run the latest Forza on it, but you can still play games like CS: GO, Fortnite, or DOTA2 with those specs. So don’t worry about anything but the processor and everything else that will help you work better.
Don’t Skimp on the Screen and Keyboard
Two areas where you should be splurging, however, are when it comes to the screen and keyboard. You need a high-resolution screen that will have minimal glare so you can use it in virtually any setting. The keyboard needs to feel comfortable with great travel, texture, resistance, and backlighting. Having a number pad could also come in handy if your work involves making lots of calculations.
Get a Used Unit
You could also get a used laptop either from a local used laptop retailer or an independent seller. We would recommend that you stay away from independent sellers at all costs unless you have no choice, however. You never know what may be wrong with the computer, and there’s a good chance that you could get something similar from a reputable retailer that comes with a guarantee. So, go for a retailer who has been around for a while and has a reputation for quality machines and great aftercare service.
Conclusion
These are a few simple ways that any student can save money when shopping for a laptop for school. Take advantage of any sale or discount you can find and broaden your options until you find the right machine for you.
