SEE LAPTOP...BUY LAPTOP - FIND GOOD DEALS ON LAPTOP COMPUTERSNO! NO! NO! NO BUY LAPTOP-- SHOP LAPTOP! If you think you're ready to buy a laptop and don't know much about laptop computers or aren't certain about how you will use the laptop and what you want (or need) in it for that use, I would suggest you look at the other pages on this website to help you make those choices. Our task from here is "buy laptop." I'm going to talk about shopping for and buying the notebook computer you've chosen. We've done some research and we've learned that
So, how do you chose what laptop to buy? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and act like you've decided what you need as far as hardware in your laptop. Your first choice is new or used. This isn't completely clear cut. Used comes in three general levels -- refurbished, off lease and used. USED What I'm calling used is "see an ad online or somewhere-- buy the computer from an individual." Don't do it. Unless you know the person and the computer, odds are there is a reason the person is selling the computer and you are probably buying someone else's problems. OFF LEASE Many larger corporations don't buy laptops. They lease them. When the lease is up, they lease newer ones. The returned computers are then sold to consumers like us through some number of middle men. Generally, these computers were not top end when new. When they came off lease, they were two or more years old. By the time you would be buying one, it will be what I call low entry or at best, bare-bones. Be prepared to buy a new battery too. Two to three years is the most you can expect to be the useful life of a notebook battery. Chances are that little (other than cleaning) was done to the off lease laptop before it was sold to you. Unless I was only planning on light word processing and web surfing, I would stay away from off lease computers. Be ready to spend another $100 for the battery. REFURBISHED Many people want to find cheap factory refurbished laptops. The first thing to look at when you see a laptop computer called "refurbished" is the warranty you will get with it. You will get little or nothing in the way of warranty with what I've labeled used or off lease. You will get a warranty with a refurbished notebook. I wouldn't buy one that did not have a warranty identical to the new computer from the OEM. You won't save as much with a refurbished laptop as you will on one that is used or off lease, but, you will most likely get a bare-bones or better notebook. Refurbished can mean anything from "fell off the truck, got backed over and put back together" to "got sent to Joe as a birthday present, but was sent back because Uncle Fred got Joe a better one,". These are then repackaged and offered for sale. It could also mean that it was inspected at the factory where it was originally built and met the original specifications, or it was taken apart in Zach's basement and everything seemed to work OK. Joe's birthday present that was inspected at the factory after he shipped it back, will have the full manufacturer's warranty (usually one year parts and labor). You will pay close to full price for it though, generally 75% or more. The one off the truck or out of Zach's basement will have a 30 or 90 day warranty. It might be half-price though. Usually, if you shop hard, you can buy laptops that are new for the same price or less than the fully warrantied, refurbished computer unless you are locked into a particular brand. There is a Wide Selection on Laptops starting at $299 at CompUSA.com return from buy laptop to laptop-computers-wiz homepage
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