Can’t Put Off That Tech Purchase? Tips for Getting the Best Deal
(ARA) – Recession or not, some spending simply can’t wait. For millions of Americans, it seems that spending on personal technology like laptops is on the list of purchases they can’t put off.
While overall spending on personal technology fell about 4 percent in 2008, according to a report from market researchers the NPD Group, laptops were still top-selling items, generating more than $20 billion in sales.
If you’re a parent preparing to send your teen to college next fall, or a professional who needs technology to stay competitive, spending on personal technology may seem more of a necessity than a luxury. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure you get the best possible deal on personal technology.
Technology itself – namely, the Internet – is a great resource to help you save on the personal technology you need. From exclusive online coupons and discounts to detailed product reviews by professionals and other buyers, the Internet can yield a treasure trove of money-saving information.
Here are a few tips for using online resources to get the best deal for your personal technology needs:
* Coupons have been around practically as long as shopping, and for a good reason – they can be great bargains. With the arrival of the Internet, coupons have gone digital and it’s now possible to find an online coupon for virtually every shopping need, including a PC.
Sites like CouponMountain.com can save you as much as 30 percent off your order with Dell coupons, HP coupons and coupons for other major brands like Lenovo, Sony and Toshiba. It’s actually a better discount than employees commonly get.
* Before you decide which PC to buy, read reviews from independent resources, like Consumer Reports or PC World, that regularly rate products, including laptops and PCs, on a range of performance and quality points. Next, look at user reviews to get a better idea of how others who have bought the PC you’re interested in feel about it after having owned it awhile. User reviews can also give you a better idea of what you might expect to pay and what sellers might be willing to bargain on price.
* Buy online. Many manufacturers are now offering customers the ability to customize their PCs online so you can create the computer that best fits your needs. Online shopping also means unlimited stock and selection, no waiting in line at a store and no wasting gas driving from store to store looking for what you want. Many manufacturers are also battling slumping recession sales by offering free shipping and other incentives.
* Don’t buy more computer than you need. It can be tempting to overspend by buying the latest, hottest technology, but before you do, carefully assess just how you will use the laptop and what functions you really need. Do you really need a CD burner or a graphics card that will allow you to play complex online role-playing games? These items can add to the cost of a laptop, but might not necessarily enhance its performance per your needs.
* Protect your investment. Always have current anti-virus and anti-malware software on your PC or laptop. Run it regularly. Be sure your laptop is clearly labeled with your name and address in case you lose it – Americans lose about 12,000 laptops a week at airports, with most of those being left behind at security checkpoints. About 70 percent are never returned to their owners, largely because security people or good Samaritans who find unmarked laptops have no way to know who they belong to if they’re not labeled.
To learn more about great deals on laptops, PCs and other consumer technology, visit www.CouponMountain.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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