Never Pay Full Price for a Computer

Consumer electronics have undergone a type of renaissance in the last decade.  “You get what you pay for” has always been a true adage, especially for highly technical equipment like computers or gadgets like digital cameras.  In an age where technology has become disposable, however, there’s far more competition for quality products at low prices on the market and companies are continuously upping their game as customers become more savvy.  A computer that may have cost a hefty sum ten years ago is now the standard expectation.  Consumer electronics may be cheaper and of generally better quality, but there are more things to consider these days.

Identifying Your Needs

The more perks an item has, the more expensive it often is.  Companies tout the special features and functions of their products, trying to present what traits make something worth paying more for, and highlighting what sets it apart from other models.  The variety of smartphones available on the market, for example, offer a dizzying array of functions and prices.  However, the best place to start isn’t by rushing out to get the fanciest phone or laptop at a discount, but to assess your own needs.  If you’re looking to purchase a new computer, consider how you plan to use it by asking yourself:

• Will you be traveling, or will it mostly be used at home?

• What kind of software do you plan to run?

• Are you a gamer with heavy emphasis on processing speed?

These questions are far more important than the generic “perks” that are advertised.  If you travel often for business and use your computer for basic tasks like word processing and e-mail, the first quality you want to look for is the size and weight, not the impressive processing speed.

11.10.08.SDC14021 by osseous, on Flickr.  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Tactics for the Best Deal

You can wait for the sales, the deals and initiatives on high-end items like a computer, or you can take matters into your own hands and build your own.  This doesn’t mean you have to become an IT expert overnight.  You can have someone else build a computer for you, paying them for their labor and buying individual components they recommend.  Computers are not actually difficult to build if you know what you’re doing, but technology is intimidating.  If you want to customize your computer instead of buying it directly off the store shelf, one excellent way to save money is to look for coupons to save on Dell products that can be used to purchase individual parts.  Customization with the guidance of a professional can get you better quality for less money, and can be tailored to fit your needs more effectively.

The Best Time to Buy

There are times of year that are better to purchase electronics than others.  You might immediately think of Black Friday as a time when there are deep discounts advertised.  However, according to The New York Times early December is actually the best time to purchase consumer electronics of good quality at the lowest prices.  A good tactic is to spend some time researching what type of computer you need and would like to own, and wait for it to go on sale to get the best discount possible.