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Holiday Computer Shopping
Guide
Some of the best computer and tech deals of the year are advertised during the
Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Sales start the day of Thanksgiving, carry on
to the famous black-Friday, which is the day after, then to cyber-Monday, the
Monday after Thanksgiving. This has generally come to be known as the best day
to shop for electronics including computers online. Sales then carry on to the
Christmas season and end of year sales. Advertisements are sent out in the mail
weeks before sale events so be sure to check your mail, and are also published
online on retail or department websites. In addition, an online search/price
comparison on the type of computer you wish to buy can lead you to great deals.
There are great online coupons which can yield savings of as much as 20%. These
are found on numerous sites by simply typing in your preferred search engine the
words ‘store name’ and ‘coupon’ but be sure to follow these tips: website should
be easy to use, clear, contain a variety of offers, not require personal
information and have customer service information.
Some popular websites include: www.dealcatcher.com , www.retailmenot.com , www.couponcabin.com , www.fatwallet.com , and www.couponmom.com . |
Go Early and
Bundle Up
You can get fantastic deals by
buying more than one item together. Many stores advertise
special offers and prices for buying your computer with its
peripherals which can include a case for your laptop, a
printer for your desktop or flat screen monitor and so on.
Make a Plan - Be Precise
Be sure to determine your
specific needs before you start shopping. A basic use
computer will, for example, have a 2.0 GHz Dual Core
processor, 1 GB memory, 160 or more GB hard drive and 19”
screen can cost anywhere from $200 to $300. To download
music, movies, and work on more intense tasks, a computer
with a faster processor consider, for example, a 2 GB RAM,
250 GB or more hard drive and a 19” screen that would be
about $300 or more. For a computer which you will require
for computer graphics, website designs and gaming, the best
is a computer with a multi-core processor, 4 or more GB RAM,
350 GB hard drive or more and a larger screen like 21” which
may cost about $500 plus.
Other considerations - RAM,
RPM, processor, hard drive, built-in Bluetooth or wireless,
speakers, inbuilt camera, battery life and so on.
Big or small?
Laptops are generally more expensive than desktops. If you
don’t need to carry your computer around, then you can save
big on a desktop with great features for less. This option
also allows you to mix and match, unless there is a good
bundle deal available.
In-Store or Online?
While shopping for a computer
all the numbers and acronyms can seem confusing, especially
with all the new upgrades of technology on a regular basis.
If there is something you don’t understand while at a store,
it is helpful to be able to ask an attendant. Another
advantage of in store shopping is you get to feel out your
computer before you buy it. This can be important if you are
sensitive to things like the feel of your keyboard, the
glare of your screen, and so on. Some brick-and-mortar
stores will also advertise in store specials, early bird
specials or store redeemable coupons.
By shopping online though, you
can choose to save yourself the agony of long lines, harried
attendants, parking nightmares and cut-throat snatching
matches. Electronic retailers will oftentimes lure potential
buyers with convenience, free shipping deals, a free item
with purchase, and potentially lower prices. If you know
what you want to buy, this is a great option. Check
out our related article:
Shopping
Comparison Websites Guide.
Holiday time is also high time
for spammers and scammers. Beware of unsolicited emails,
nefarious search engine results, unknown online retailers,
emails with unsolicited links and unsecured Wi-Fi spots.
Check out our tips on how to avoid
online scams . Still haven't secured your home
wireless internet? Check out our easy to follow
instructions on how to secure your
wi-fi .
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