Finding the right balance between what your teenager wants in a computer and what you can afford is a tough thing to do. Of course your teenager would love to have the fastest PC on the block, but that may not always be within the means of your budget. You have to think in terms of what’s practical.
Laptop vs. Desktop
Many people these days are eschewing the traditional computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse set-up in favor of an all-in-one laptop. Laptops are great for your budget because you can forgo buying all the accessories. The one downside is that you do need a home wireless network to access the Internet. Technology has now reached a point that laptops are more than powerful enough for average computer users.
Close Out Models
People always want the latest and greatest, but that’s not always the best deal. Let’s face it, no matter what you buy now, by next Christmas it will be slightly outdated anyway. You can usually find close out models at most major electronics stores. Some people actually get more features for less money by buying previous generation models. It pays to actually shop around in person.
Educational Pricing
If your teenager is in school, then they should qualify for an educational discount on computers. You should also ask your local electronic retailer if they offer student discounts. It is also a good idea to call your teenager’s school and ask if they have a recommended list of vendors or any type of computer purchasing program through the school. If all else fails, search for educational retailers online.
Read Reviews
In order to make affordable computers, manufacturers have to sacrifice certain features. Some of these features may be important to you, some may not. More importantly, what gets sacrificed varies between manufacturers and between different models. Two computers in the exact same price range may have different features. Major magazines and websites like PC World do yearly reviews of budget computers around the holidays that compare current models on the market. It’s worth it to do some homework before you go shopping.
Buy What You Need
It’s an old story; a couple walks into a computer store with the intention of spending no more than $500 and by the time they reach the cash register they’ve gone hundreds of dollars over their budget. This happens often to unwary consumers who allow salespeople to talk them into features they don’t really need like video streaming or a pricey service contract that really doesn’t cover very much. You should walk in the store knowing what features are important for your teen’s needs; buying anything extra is just throwing money away.
It is possible to buy your teenager a great PC without breaking your piggy bank; especially around the holidays when stores are competing for Christmas gift sales. It takes a little time and research, but if you know what your teen needs – and what you can afford – before you start shopping then you’ll find it is much easier to get the right PC for the right price.
Agustin Debo loves technology and the stock market. He’s also a huge environmentalist and spends a lot of time studying the procedures at Eagle Ford Shale Texas and other sites around the country.