There’s nothing worse than buying the wrong laptop! Whether you’ve bought it for gaming, work, or development, if your laptop can’t perform the tasks you need, something that should be exciting suddenly becomes very frustrating. We’re here to give you some of the most common mistakes laptop buyers make when purchasing a laptop, so you can avoid them and get the right one the first time.
1. Not buying for their needs
Starting off, we’ve already touched on this mistake briefly. We often see people come in to buy a laptop without really considering what they need. In the end, they either buy a computer that’s not strong enough to handle the tasks they need, resulting in them having to spend more money later on upgrading, or they buy a laptop that’s overkill for what they need it for. Granted, buying a good laptop is an investment in and of itself, but in some cases, going to the extreme is simply unnecessary.
We recommend thinking long and hard about what laptop you need to avoid this. Think about what your job requires. If you’re editing or coding, you likely need a computer that can process large quantities of files simultaneously. However, if you’re using your laptop for watching movies and a bit of research, then it probably doesn’t need to be the top-of-the-line, ultra-spec laptop. What we like to do is buy a laptop that can do slightly more than we need it to. That way, we have them available if we ever need the extra processing capabilities. Realistically looking at your needs could save you both time and money.
2. Neglecting to buy a future-proof laptop
Following our last point, we often see people forgetting how fast technology advances. Think about it, when was the last time you saw laptops using VGA ports or large DC power cables as chargers? Things have become smaller, more efficient, and more convenient to use. Because of this, you would be wise to buy a laptop that offers you some future proofing. Buying a laptop is an investment, one you probably want to last you between 4 to 8 years realistically.
With that in mind, i3s and Pentiums are old news these days. With Apple’s silicon chip-based and Intel’s i7 and i9 processors getting better and better, you may want to consider spending slightly more to get something that will still be relevant in 4 years’ time.
3. Not thinking about portability
The whole point of a laptop is for it to be portable. Unfortunately, we often see people buy these massive laptops for gaming or editing, and then they have to lug this thing around with them wherever they go. Now, this isn’t an issue if you need a laptop like this, as they do have their benefits. However, if not, then you’re carrying around unnecessary weight. Even then, there are more compact options that are just as powerful, like the MacBook Pro M3 Ultra. Make sure that you don’t sacrifice portability without considering your options.
4. Not thinking about software and OS compatibility
Software compatibility is another aspect to consider. You’ve probably heard that there are challenges with the compatibility with Apple, Windows or Android devices. Getting a MacBook makes sense if you’re already in the ecosystem and have an iPhone and other Apple devices. However, if your work often requires you to use more open-source software for compatibility, then a computer that can run Linux might be better.
5. Neglecting to look at warranties
Always, always check that the laptop you’re buying has a good warranty. Thankfully, if you’re buying new from a reputable brand like HP, you’re likely to get a decent warranty covering things like factory defaults and other issues. We have often seen buyers get a second-hand laptop from a private sale and when it gives them issues, they are stuck with a faulty laptop, have to use money to fix it or get another one.
6. Ignoring the budget versus value proposition
Finally, if you’re on a tight budget, avoid sacrificing quality for affordability. We understand that laptops are expensive; however, if you can save to buy a middle-range laptop, you’ll be far better off than settling for the cheapest option.
Cheap laptops aren’t built to last. They’re made with low-quality materials, which results in them breaking sooner. However, mid-tier laptops use better quality materials and components, ensuring that you would get a better return on your investment.
Find the ideal laptop here
Buying a laptop doesn’t have to be challenging or ultra-expensive. Simply buy the laptop that fits your needs and suits your budget. If you don’t know where to start, here’s a helpful page from Australian Computer Traders (ACT). Through them, you can find affordable prices on HP laptops and other brands, with a range of laptops from budget-friendly to high-performance PCs.
Final thoughts
You don’t have to be someone who struggles to find the right laptop or has to settle for less than what you need. By avoiding the mistakes above and taking your time, you can find a laptop that suits what you’re looking for and functions as you need.
