Being a student is hard.
Studies are extensive, and money is tight. Things can get even worse if your laptop or computer dies without cause.
Assuming you have all of your work off it, you may need to start promptly looking for another laptop. This is easier said than done. Many students cannot afford to buy brand-new laptops, meaning it can be very limiting and hard to find what you need to succeed.
Here are some of the things you need to consider when buying a laptop for your studies.
First hand or refurbished?
Most students don’t have the means to go out and buy a brand-new laptop. So, you may be limited in what you have immediate access to.
For many, this will mean looking for a second-hand or refurbished option. If you do opt for a second-hand laptop, ask as many questions as you can about the machine. Ask to test it out or see a video demo of it in action. If you decide first hand is better, there are many affordable choices, such as Lenovo college laptops. Just make sure the machine you buy has what you need to perform your studies.
Studies
This leads on to this point.
If you are studying computer science, you are going to need something that is a bit more specialized, especially when compared to a standard laptop.
So, when buying a laptop, always ensure that it can do what you need it to. Otherwise, you may end up out of pocket for a machine that is, in essence, useless. Unsure where to begin when choosing a specialized machine? Ask your professors for advice. They will know what programs you need in order to complete the course. Alternatively, why not ask your classmates about the machines that they are using?
Cost
Money is always going to be a major factor when purchasing computers.
While it can be tempting to spend all of your student loans on a laptop, don’t!
Work out how much you can realistically spend on a machine without having to cut out meals etc.
This will ensure that your health and wellbeing are not affected due to this purchase. Buying second-hand can always be useful when you are looking to save money. But there are also many first-hand options that may be affordable too. As always, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is! So, keep your wits about you when handing over money for a laptop.
Battery life
It is one of the failings of many second-hand or refurbished machines. The battery life simply doesn’t last as long as it should. It is also one of the main reasons why machines are sold in the first place! You do not want to be tethered to the wall because your laptop cannot hold a charge. Always ask for a demo when purchasing a second-hand device, or ask for a video if it is being sent to you from a seller on sites like eBay.