Laptop Buying Advice

Our Laptop Buying Advice offers a complete buying guide for anyone in the market for a new laptop, whether they happen to be novice or expert. Enjoy!Laptop Buying TipsThere are so many laptops on the market to choose from, it can be a nightmare to work out which one will be best, or how much you need to spend, for your needs.

Unlike a normal desktop PC which can be upgraded and have extras installed, such as a replacement keyboard, a new mouse or a lovely new screen, when you buy a laptop, it will look approximately the same as it did when you first bought it.

Because of this, it is really important that you are happy with what you buy, so always ask your local dealer for a demo and test out your prospective laptop yourself.

There's plenty to watch out for, so here's some basic tips to be aware of before you even begin buying - here are some wise tips we have picked up over the years....What Do I Need From My Laptop?There are many things you might need a laptop for, but equally, there are just as many features that you will never even use. Here's some advice on centering in on the right kind of laptop for you....Make A ListAsk yourself why you are buying a laptop. What are you going to use it for? Write everything you want out of your laptop down on a piece of paper, and then research those requirements so you know what to look out for.Don't Be Blinded By ScienceIt might be tempting to buy the most expensive laptop, which is going to be the most advanced, but don't forget that technology moves so quickly, that same technology will be a fraction of the price a year later - don't get sucked in and only go for what you need.Ask AroundWe cannot impress enough how important it is to ask around in your local computer shops - but make sure you visit more than one for a variety of opinions so you don't get persuaded to get something you don't need!How Much Do I Spend On My Laptop?Know Your BudgetThe biggest rule in any shopping experience is to always work out your maximum budget. Shop salesmen will do anything they can to eke out an extra £50-£100 from you, so be firm and hold fast at your absolute limit.Consider Second HandIf your budget is tight, it may be worth buying second hand or B-stock - but make sure you get a second opinion on just how old the laptop is. Always ask your local dealer for any special deals.Plan For PeripheralsAlso be aware that there may be little extras you need, such as an external mouse, so make sure these are accounted for in your budget, too. For example, if you want a netbook for its ultimate portability, but think you might want to watch DVDs on it every now and again, you may need to invest in an external optical drive as well.Use Your Credit CardAlways use a credit card to buy electronic goods before setting the account straight away to avoid incurring interest. There are plenty of reasons why this is a good idea, but the main one to remember is that you get better protection if something goes wrong - accidental damage on the way home, for example. But don't forget - always check your credit agreement to make sure you are protected.Laptop WarrantiesMost brand new laptops will come bundled with some kind of warranty and are normally protected for at least one, so if anything goes wrong that shouldn't within this period, you will be protected.

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