Let us be frank,
buying a laptop is not an easy everyday purchase.
A laptop is
usually an
investment — something that is meant to last for a long
time, all the while being able to serve its purpose flawlessly based on your
requirements.
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However, the
recent semiconductor shortage has made it increasingly expensive to find
lucrative deals on laptops, especially when looking at higher-end variations
and models.
Fret not; below
are recommendations on selecting the right
laptop for your needs, all the while
ensuring that your wallet stays well intact.
What makes a laptop ‘budget friendly’?
We used to set JD350 as the upper limit for a low-cost laptop. However,
the laptops available for under JD350 have grown weaker over time.
Right now, a cheap
laptop is anything under JD500. But, selections will be relatively restricted
if you spend less than JD500, and there is a significant possibility that you
will not be completely satisfied with the experience.
If you give
yourself some wiggle allowance, closer to JD500, it will be a lot simpler to
choose something that you will be pleased with and will last you a long time.
The obvious question: Should one simply get a
Chromebook?
The majority of people would be content with a
Chromebook, a laptop that
runs Google’s Chrome OS. Previously, the Chrome web browser and a few extras
were included, but Chrome OS now includes the ability to run Android apps from
the Google Play Store, Linux software, and certain games.
Most of what you
do on a laptop — email, web surfing, streaming video, social networking, and
shopping — is done through a browser. So, if you want to spend less than JD350
and get a prettier computer that feels more responsive than a cheap Windows
laptop for the same price, a Chromebook is a good option.
The downsides of
the Chromebook are space and the capability to locally-install Windows-only
software on the laptop for work or education. The same could be said about
Photoshop or
video games, but if you are spending JD350 on a laptop, installing
extensive-use applications is probably not what you are looking for.
Specifications to keep an eye out for
Basic is the name of the game, especially with a price tag of JD350 or
less. In general, persevere until you discover a good CPU. Intel’s Core
processors are currently in their 12th generation, so ideally, you want one
from the last couple of generations; otherwise, you are getting old stock.
You will probably
have to spend more than JD350, but we recommend going with an Intel Core i5.
For under JD350, the cheaper Core i3 variant is difficult to beat. Skip
anything with an Intel Pentium, Celeron, Atom, or M3 processor.
Instead of an AMD
Athlon, opt for an AMD Ryzen 4000-series CPU. Chip manufacturers release new
chip models at least once a year, if not more.
Running
Windows 11,
you will need 16GB of RAM, which will be difficult to get unless you spend
JD500 or more, which is why we recommend saving up for a Core i5/16GB laptop
that will operate faster and last longer. If you cannot, at least acquire 8GB
of RAM.
If you do get low
on RAM, look for a laptop that allows you to crawl inside and install extra RAM
later on — this is possible with many lower-end laptops and gaming laptops.
If the laptop RAM
is classified as “onboard,” it is most certainly soldered down and cannot be upgraded
later.
Storage does not
require much nitpicking. In any case, most users these days keep everything in
the cloud. Purchase a solid-state drive (
SSD) rather than a spinning platter
drive (
HDD). Size-wise, 256GB SSD is excellent, while 512GB SSD is preferable
but difficult to obtain.
Only accept 128GB
if you really must or if you mostly utilize online storage. We recommend going
for more RAM over more storage if it comes down to it.
Like with RAM,
budget laptops may occasionally be opened up so that a bigger storage disk can
be installed later if necessary.
Cost-saving tactics
Be wary of holiday “doorbuster” offers that seem too good to be true.
They are frequently outdated and underpowered. A JD100–150 fire sale laptop may
have outlived its usefulness by the time the following month comes around.
Displays are often
where PC manufacturers save money on low-cost laptops. Look for a 1,920x1,080
display resolution, often known as Full HD. I have already discussed what CPUs
to look for, but I would avoid anything with a low-power ARM processor — unless
it’s in a Chromebook.
We could be
persuaded to buy a laptop with a
Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, but those are often
used in laptops with always-on mobile data connections and are therefore more
expensive.
Avoid middle-men:
Amazon or shopping in other countries and handling the delivery on your end may
prove to be a more affordable option than outright purchasing from physical
stores within the Kingdom.
Additionally, be on the lookout for refurbished
models; while not new, refurbished laptops are usually a good way to secure
some above-the-budget laptops at your price point, provided that the official
manufacturer did these refurbishments.
By using these
simple tips and doing your research, you will have a laptop within your budget
range in no time.
Remember, mapping out your
priorities in terms of utility is key. Identify what the laptop is going to be
used for and budget accordingly. In the end, for simple emails and basic
internet browsing, a Chromebook, in most cases, will suffice.
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