So, you need a new computer and have a budget in mind. That’s a great start but it’s not all you need to factor in. There are some things that you need to know before you pick any computer your find within your budget range. You may find that they cost a lot more than you bargained for.
Is Everything Included?
When you buy a laptop or computer, you need more than just the base. You may need:
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A keyboard
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A monitor
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External speakers
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Laptop carry case
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Spare battery
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Mouse and mouse pad
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Software
All of these usually come at an extra cost and will take you way over your budget. There are, however, some offers that will include them in—or at least some of them—to help you with your pricing. Before you buy anything, find out from the store assistants what they come with. If you’re buying online, read the descriptions in full and email or phone to ask questions if you are unsure. Yes, it makes sense for a desktop computer to come with the monitor and keyboard but not all do!
Look Out for the Hidden Costs
Beware that there may be hidden costs or added extras that you need to purchase. For example, you will need to factor in the extended warranties or protection if something happens to your PC. You will also need to think about the hidden costs of antivirus software, memory upgrades that you need and cables required to connect everything together.
Always go into a store with a list of all the things that you will need. You can then talk to the assistants about them to make sure they all fit within your budget.
Leasing vs. Buying
There are some stores offering to lease computers and tablets for a set cost each month. After two years, you get an upgrade. While this sounds great at first, remember that you don’t get to keep the product afterwards. You are just hiring it out and have to hand it back at the end, whether you want to renew the lease or not.
It may be worth spending a little extra to buy the item outright. Of course, you don’t get the upgrade after two years but will you really need it? Yes, companies bring out new products all the time but that doesn’t mean you have to get the latest. You could even find that you save money in the long run—the two year contracts can often end up costing more.
Before you buy anything, make sure you know everything that you are getting for your money. Will you need to buy extra parts to make your PC work or are there hidden costs for the things that you’ve forgotten about? Taking these into account will help ensure that you stick to your budget when buying new technology.
Author bio:
This guest post was written by Paul Davis, a technology expert. He works with many businesses to help them find the best technology for their needs, while cutting down on the cost.