Even if you've owned laptops before, you might still make these mistakes and end up spending money on unnecessary features.
1. 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Laptop
Even if you've owned laptops before, you might still make these mistakes and end up spending money on unnecessary features.
Buying a machine at too low a price
While there are indeed some low-priced laptops worth buying, not all low-priced laptops will meet your needs or provide all the features you need.
If you often run multiple applications at the same time, consider a laptop with a quad-core processor. It will provide better performance than a dual-core type, albeit at a higher price, and you won't regret it later.
Instead of immediately looking for cheap laptops, pay attention to laptops that truly meet your needs, and then filter based on the amount of money you can spend.
Buying a machine at too high a price
A high-priced laptop will certainly deliver top-notch experience and powerful performance, but there will still be some features you don't really need, leading to waste.
For example, a new MacBook Pro with the highest configuration will cost over 100 million VND and can provide 4 TB of storage. Indeed, very few users need such high storage capacity. You are capable of finding other laptops with similar components but using lower-capacity hard drives at a lower price.
Not thinking about future needs
Don't just buy a laptop for current needs. You should also think about future needs. You should make sure the laptop will stay with you for a long time before you intend to buy a new one.
For example, a laptop with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB of memory storage will not be a wise long-term choice because a 128 GB storage capacity will soon be filled up and you will find it difficult to run multiple applications at the same time with too little RAM.
Ignoring compatibility and interface ports
Not all laptops will support the interface ports you need. For example, some laptops only support Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C ports, which can be limiting if you often need to connect to a projector for presentations, forcing you to buy additional adapters. Once you've identified your needs, make sure the laptop you choose has the appropriate interface ports.
Only focusing on high resolution in the screen
A laptop with a 4K screen will certainly provide an exciting experience, but it's not always the best choice. Why? A high-resolution screen will affect the laptop's battery life. Unless you're buying a laptop for gaming or graphic design, DigitalTrends advises choosing a laptop with a Full HD screen (1920 x 1080) to save costs while still having a relatively good battery life.
Not directly trying before buying
If possible, always go to the store to experience the product firsthand. You will have a more specific view of the keyboard, screen, interface, and other features of the machine. Don't just rely on theoretical introductions because sometimes they won't meet expectations. If you can't do that, make sure the place you buy from has a reputable return policy.
Underestimating the size factor
The size of a laptop is important because it determines the size of the screen, keyboard, or mouse pad. A laptop with a 13-inch screen means its keyboard may be smaller than a laptop with a 15-inch screen, as well as its weight.
The best way to determine your needs is to reconsider how you use your laptop. Thin and light ultrabook laptops are suitable for frequent travelers. The difference between a 1kg and 2kg laptop will be very noticeable when you have to carry it around a lot.
For most regular users, a 13.3 or 14-inch laptop is a quite reasonable choice. If you often leave your laptop at home, consider a larger size laptop, such as 15.6 inches, to take advantage of the benefits of a larger screen.
Too focused on one feature
Only focusing on one feature can easily make you overlook other factors. Predefining the needs you desire is good, but make sure you don't go overboard with any factor. For example, you want to increase the amount of RAM as much as possible because you know your work requires it. However, most users don't need more than 8GB of RAM unless you use specialized software.
Choosing a machine that is not powerful enough
Ultrabook laptops have become quite popular in recent years. They are thin, light, come in various price ranges, and have beautiful screens... Users may mistakenly think they really need to buy them. However, most of them will not provide powerful enough performance for those in the professional creative field or gaming. Most 13-inch ultrabook laptops are not equipped with a dedicated graphics card and a powerful enough processor like a desktop computer.
Overrating 2-in-1 laptops
Tablets, 2-in-1 laptops, and laptops are completely different segments. Tablets or 2-in-1 laptops cannot deliver high performance like a regular laptop as many people think. So you need to pay close attention to the configuration if you are considering buying them.