Gadget 101: Things to consider before buying a laptop

Buying a laptop is no joke!

Unlike smartphones that you can buy at a lower price range, laptop computers require shelling out a huge amount of money-- at least PhP 25,000 for a decent device that you can use everyday.

And with the current COVID-19 pandemic putting so much strain to the finances of many families, buying a laptop can be daunting.

Before heading to the mall or unloading that cart in your preferred e-commerce app, we asked the help of budding tech YouTuber Alvin Villanueva to help us avoid the pitfalls when buying a laptop.

Screenshot taken from Alvin Villanueva's Instagram account

Alvin is the techie genius handling the channel 'Alvin Tries Tech,' which has amassed over 100,000 subscribers in less than a year. Here he dishes out valuable information to help netizens make the right choice when getting a new gadget.

Here are some of Alvin's important reminders to students and parents when they are on the hunt for a laptop.

Do your research
Alvin cannot over emphasize the importance of doing your own research before going to the mall, tech store, or checking out in a shopping app for a certain laptop.

When you go to a store, don't expect the sales associate to have in-depth knowledge about the device.

Alvin noted, “Sometimes kasi may mga shops na sini-sales talk tayo, tapos may mga shops na 'yung salesman nila hindi din ganun ka-familiar with the product.

“We expect na ang salesman ng isang store, e, master niya lahat ng products. Sa sobrang damin din niyan, I do understand 'yung struggle. That's why we have also to do our own research before purchasing a laptop.

“Kailangan natin maintindihan, maganda ba 'yung laptop na ito? Maganda ba 'yung specs niya bago talaga tayo bibili?”

He also warned people from impulse buying because there is a higher chance that you might end up not getting what you really need. In short, get a grip before spending!

“I really discourage mag-impulse buy ng laptop na didiretso ka lang sa mall tapos 'pag labas mo mayrun ka na. I highly doubt na lalabas ka na 'yun yung the best one for you. It takes a high amount of research bago niyo mahanap 'yung tamang laptop.”

Know your budget
Just be realistic on what you can afford.

Alvin observed that there are some people who have not yet figured out how much they are willing to spend.

Before daydreaming of getting a stylish MacBook, check your savings account first or if your credit limit will allow you to make monthly installments.

Alvin reminded students, “Para sa mga students, simulan talaga natin is checking out the budget that we have for buying a laptop. Mahirap kapag bibili ka o nagche-check ka ng napakaraming laptop pero hindi naman kasama sa budget range mo 'yung mga chini-check mo.

“Masasayang lang oras mo kasi kapag nag-focus tayo sa mga mahihirapan tayo mabili parang we are just adding more option na hindi dapat.”

Laptop performance
After having a clear idea of your budget, it is now time to assess if the available laptops in the market within your price range can meet or fulfill the requirements that you need in school.

Alvin suggests that students must check with their school as to what programs or software they need to install.

He explained, “After mo ma-set 'yung budget mo, iche-check mo 'yung performance wherein ang gagawin mo ngayon iche-check mo na 'yung specs nung laptop.

“So dito madaming nahihirapan 'pag bumibili sila ng laptop. Napakaraming options ng specs, halo-halo yan sa mga laptop.

“So sa akin ang pinakamasa-suggest ko para sa mga students, especially for homeschooling, I-check n'yo 'yung mga programs na hinihingi sa inyo sa school.

“Medyo iba-iba din 'yung range. Mayrun photo editing and video editing lang, mayrun naman iba naman na mas basic lang like Microsoft Office. I-check out n'yo 'yung mga programs na gagamitin n'yo and then after noon i-check n'yo 'yung minimum system requirements.”

If possible, Alvin strongly advised (if your budget will allow) getting a laptop with a higher spec so that you won't need to upgrade soon.

“Nandoon na lalabas 'yung specs na kailangan n'yo for a laptop, however, I still suggest going higher or buy something na mas maganda pa 'yung specs sa kung ano 'yung suggested. Get something with a higher spec or ang latest sa kung ano 'yung sinasabi ng program.”

Portability
Another important advice that Alvin shared during our exclusive chat is consider if the laptop you are getting is portable.

He noted, “Right now even in online classes, I do think that it's very important for students na maghanap ng laptop na very portable para sa kanila. We are talking about students na nagma-mature pa lang 'yung mga katawan nila and we don't want them to put so much stress or strains sa mga katawan nila.

“Lalo na nakapakabigat ng ibang laptop. If you are buying a laptop, dapat it's easy to carry lalo na mayrun dala ka pang libro, may dala ka pang ibang gamit for school.”

Carefully weigh your options before getting a laptop / Screenshot taken from Negative Space /pexels.com

Don't focus on the brand too much
If you are thinking that a Western brand laptop is far superior than those offered by Asian tech giants, then you are dead wrong!

In this age, there is not one laptop or brand that is superior from the rest, as each brand focuses on different consumer needs.

Alvin pointed out that there are brands whose expertise lies on the longevity of the device, while others offer sleek designs.

It all depends on the buyer on what features matter to him or her.

“From what I experience sa mga brands na na-review ko, it's more on different brands have different offerings.

“Hindi kasi siya sa mayrung best brand out of all brands na available sa market. It's more on may kanya-kanya silang ino-offer, na you have to find out ano 'yung mga ino-offer nila and 'yun ba ay pasok sa priority mo.

“Some brands kasi they focus on the quality of their laptops, meaning mas mahaba buhay nila. Some brands nagfo-focus sila sa specs. Some brands they offer design.”

Hunting for the best laptop takes time but thoroughly reviewing all your options will ensure that the device you are buying fits your lifestyle, so you won't have any regrets down the road.

Remember that every centavo counts!

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