How To Find A Cheap Laptop With Plenty Of Value

There are a variety of different reasons someone might want to buy a good, cheap laptop. And there are a variety of cheap laptops available. However, not every computer is equal and it is easy to end up with a machine that is outdated or won't meet your needs. Finding a real bargain means keeping your eyes peeled and your mind switched on.

Know what you want ahead of time.

If you've got a budget, stick to it. Know just what you do and don't need in your laptop and don't pay for any extras. Think hard about what is absolutely essential, and what you can get away without. One way to save money might be buying a laptop that doesn't have built-in wireless, and buying a USB connector instead.

If you're going for a cheap laptop, you probably aren't going to be doing anything too extravagant on it. 40GB of space should be plenty, and you can probably get away with buying a laptop with 256MB of RAM and upgrading to 1GB much cheaper than buying it already installed. Basic Intel processors are suitable for general use without buying anything too expensive.

Vista uses more RAM and is less compatible with current programs than Windows XP.

Battery life can have a big impact on the cost, but may not be an important factor for the user. Ask yourself how often you are actually going to use your laptop in places without access to power points. Outdoors you are likely to experience screen glare anyway, so you will probably be able to use your laptop charger most places you go.

A big bulky screen is typical on a cheap laptop, but may not be what you are after. Great for movies, big screens tend not to be so good for text documents as it distorts the characters a little and can be bothersome. Bigger screens also may not fit into regular carry bags. Mini screens may be better for text, but it is up to the individual and what they prefer.

Buying a second hand laptop.

The general advice with regards to purchasing used laptops is: don't. It's to end up with a bad deal. However, a bit of patience and know-how can land you a fantastic bargain. In the end, it really comes down to finding a trusted buyer and asking the right questions.

1. If someone you know is selling a good, cheap laptop, then that's likely to be your best offer. Otherwise it is advisable that you seek out a trusted computer resaler.

2.Ask the seller why they are selling it. They may have been having problems with their laptop, in which case you should probably find something else. Or, they may have just upgraded and simply don't need their old laptop any more.

3. Age matters with laptops. Anything older than five years will have fewer capabilities than more recent models, and will start to become incompatible with newer software products. If you find a laptop for sale that is less than one year old then you should be asking why it is being resold so soon.

4. A one or two year old laptop selling at half the price it was originally bought for is the ideal combination. Older laptops with price tags close to the original are bad value. New laptops that are going very cheap are to be regarded with suspicion as there's likely to something wrong with them.

5. Be wary of a machine that doesn't come with warranty still in place, as you could be up for big bucks if it breaks down.

6. Ask the seller for the original proof of purchase. This will verify that the item has not been stolen, and may come in handy later on for warranty purposes.

7. If you can't secure a personal warranty from the seller guaranteeing a full refund if the item is faulty, don't buy it.

Andrew Johnson is an expert in electronic consumables. If you would like further information about varieties of cheap laptop or are searching for a reputable computer retailer please visit http://www.ebuyer.com