Things to Consider when Buying a College Laptop
A new laptop can be a significant investment. You want to ensure that youre getting a great machine and not paying too much for it. Youll want a laptop that will last throughout your schooling and even after and well into your job search. From financing options to protecting your laptop here are some things you should consider when purchasing your laptop for college.
Student Discounts
Many laptop manufactures offer laptops at a discount to college students. When purchasing a laptop be sure to ask if you qualify for any of these discounts. Additionally, many colleges have exclusive deals with manufactures for discounts on computers they recommend. Check with your school to see what discounts they offer their students. Some online schools provide college students with free laptops if they are enrolled in a program.
Financing Options
Many retailers and manufacturers offer their own financing on laptops, sometimes even at a zero percent interest rate.
- Amazon offers up to 12 months of no interest financing on many computers purchased with the Amazon.com Store card. Purchases must be over $599 and monthly minimum payments are required.
- Best Buy offers similar financing through their Best Buy Credit card. Purchases of $399 and up charged to the Best Buy Credit card qualify for zero percent interest if paid within the first 12 months. As always, be sure to read the terms and conditions of any financing offer so that you do not incur any surprise fees, late payments, or interest charges.
- Dell offers their own financing and even provide a handy payment calculator so you know exactly what to expect when you finance through them. Apple offers special education financing plans to match the needs of students, including flexible terms so your payments are timed for when you expect an influx of money, such as at the beginning of courses when financial aid is made available.
Leasing
Rent to own options are also available through retailers such as Rent-A-Center and Aarons but rent-to-own may not be the best option available as youll end up paying much more than the original purchase price by the time you take ownership of the computer. We recommend you only use this option only as a last resort.
Insurance
Once you invest in a new computer, youre going to want to make sure that your purchase is protected. Consider insuring your computer. Often the payments are very reasonable, often under $5 a month, and will come in so handy if ever your laptop is stolen or broken. You may even be able to insure your laptop through renters insurance.
Warranty
While a laptop warranty shouldnt be your only deciding factor when making a purchase, it will help give you some peace of mind that your money will be well spent. It is important to note that most laptop warranty programs do not cover accidental damage to your machine, so if you drop it, break the screen, or spill something on the keyboard it wont be covered by the warranty, though it might be covered if youve purchased additional laptop insurance coverage. You may also purchase accidental damage coverage [ADC] from many different manufacturers such as Apple, Toshiba, and Microsoft. Costco also offers competitive ADC warranties for laptops purchased through them.
Buy Used
There are many great places where you can purchase a great machine at a significant markdown once it has been used or refurbished. For the most secure purchases, consider buying a refurbished model direct from the manufacturer. These laptop models are often covered under the same warranty youd get from the factory buying a new model.
Look for a corporate off-lease sale. Many large companies lease new laptops from retailers for a few years and then return them at the end of the lease. These computers are newer models that have been well cared for. The retailer then sells off the laptops for a lower price. While theyre a step down from a refurbished model, youll also see that reflected in the cost. This is a great way to get a well running machine for a fraction of the cost.