Purchasing a new laptop is always exciting, but what if you could have gotten it much cheaper?
Whats the Best Time to Buy a Laptop?
Technology evolves quickly, and retailers are always looking to sell new laptops and older models.
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These two factors work together to produce endless deals.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Now, laptops are becoming an essential item for every student.
Many major retailers offer special promotions during the summer months, gearing up for students returning to school.
Some states even holdtax holidaysand waive the sales tax on electronics and other items.
Check big-box electronics and super stores, likeBest Buyand Walmart, for the latest deals on laptops and tablets.
Back-to-school sales arent only found in stores.
you could check computer manufacturers websites around this time to see their online deals.
Apple routinely includes free add-ons such as Beats over-headphones, AirPods and printers during the back-to-school season.
The best deals are typically found in-store, but many retailers also offer online discounts for shoppers.
Grab your smartphone off the night table and visit your favorite electronics retailers online to find killer laptop deals.
Amazon has also gotten in on the action withPrime Day in July.
Retailers know that holidays are a great way to move merchandise.
With many workers off for the day, whats a better option than to go shopping?
After releasing new models, manufacturers typically begin marking down perfectly good laptops to make way for new inventory.
Speaking of Apple, the company will sometimes discount its older model laptops when releasing a newer model.
Computer technology moves fast.
Todays expensive laptop is tomorrows good deal.
You dont need the latest powerhouse for that.
Think Outside the Box, Literally
We love refurbished gear here at The Penny Hoarder.
Whats not to love about good-as-new products at reduced prices?
If you arent familiar with shopping refurbished, there is nothing to fear.
Check out our guides onrefurbished devicesandApple certified refurbished electronicsfor more information.
Just be sure to check that return period and warranty before swiping your credit card.
It may be worth waiting to land a deal when computers go on sale.
Regarding a new Mac, dont hold your breath too long.
If you want a discount on a Mac, check outrefurbished Apple products.
When you purchase a laptop, the processor will help determine the overall speed of your box.
If you buy a Windows PC or Chromebook, youll likely see Intel and AMD processors.
Apple processors are M chips.
For Windows PC users, an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor works well for most tasks.
Older Macs have Intel processors, but most new Macs offer the companys M chip.
For most users, the standard M1 chip provides a surprising amount of performance for the price.
Chromebooks dont require much processing power to run.
Stick with an Intel Core i3 or Core i5 processor for the best experience.
Snapdragon processors from Qualcomm are also a good option.
Otherwise, 8 GB should be suitable.
Chromebooks can get away with 4 GB of RAM, but we recommend 8 GB for a faster experience.
Graphics Card
Once upon a time, choosing the right graphics card was essential for everyday buyers.
Now, most standard graphics cards are more than enough for daily tasks.
you’re able to even get away with some basic video or photo editing.
A higher end graphics card may be needed for video games, professional video or photo editing or animating.
Look for a dedicated Nvidia GeForce or AMD Radeon graphics card.
We recommend a solid state drive (SSD) a modern storage equipment with no moving parts.
These drives are more durable and much faster than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) of yesteryear.
For most laptops, 256 GB is enough so you dont feel cramped.
If you know that youll be working with large files, increase your storage minimum to 512 GB.
If youre a gamer, you know video games take up a lot of space.
A laptop with at least 512 GB of storage is a good idea.
A, single terabyte (1 TB) is preferred.
SSDs of this size can be prohibitively expensive so a traditional HDD may be your best bet.
Portability
Your laptops portability will be boiled down to its size, display andbattery life.
Most laptop displays range from 11 to 17 inches.
Go smaller if you plan on traveling with your laptop.
Laptops with 13- to 14-inch screens seem to be a sweet spot for most shoppers.
Go bigger if you use your laptop for video gaming or movie watching or just want a larger display.
A 15-inch screen might be the best option.
Dont forget about the battery.
Most Macs have up to 21 hours of battery life.
PCs dont tend to have an advantage here but check the manufacturer-stated battery life.
If you are shopping for a computer, wait until the holiday season.
Thats the best time to buy a laptop.
Laptops always go down in price, which is why patience can go a long way.
Technology advances quickly, and retailers will quickly discount old models to make room for new stock.
During these times, you’ve got the option to take advantage of better deals and pricing.
You should buy a laptop wherever you find the best prices, and the dealer is reputable.
Michael Archambault is a senior writer with The Penny Hoarder specializing in technology.
When you log into your bank account, how do your savings look?
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
