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6 common mistakes first-time laptop buyers make

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When buying a laptop, remember these six rules and you’ll be good to go and working from your home office with ease. (Image: Pexels)
When buying a laptop, remember these six rules and you’ll be good to go and working from your home office with ease. (Image: Pexels)

Few things match the thrill of getting a shiny new device. Whether you need to refresh an old laptop or invest in your first, it can be easy to be swept up in the excitement and find yourself making mistakes in the process.

From finding yourself caught up over one specific aspect or the aesthetics of a device to overlooking some important specifications, here are six common mistakes people make when investing in a new laptop:

1. Focusing on the price tag 

Whether you find yourself bargain hunting for the cheapest device or looking for the priciest to gloss your work-from-home office desk, a price tag doesn’t always reflect the quality of the device. While you can find good quality laptops at budget-friendly prices or steep ones, it’s important to look at specifications, port capabilities, and more before simply settling on the cheapest or priciest device. It’s important to research what you’re looking for in a device to know you’re getting your money’s worth – as some cheap and pricy devices might not have all the specifications you need and you might even overpay for things you won’t use or need in the long run. Researching will help you find the sweet spot for your budget and tech needs.

2. Focusing on finding the highest screen resolution or storage space

While it’s important to know the specifications you want in a device, it’s best not to get too hung up on one or two specifications. A 4k resolution screen sounds great in theory, but unless you’re working on high-resolution photographs or video editing, it’s not really necessary, you also don’t truly get to enjoy the full 4k experience on a laptop-size screen. Similarly, while storage space is important, it shouldn’t be the make-or-break decision when getting a new laptop. Newer laptops more likely work on SSD storage, which works faster than traditional spinning hard drives and allows you for a snappy working experience. While you could find a cheaper spinning disk hard drive device with more space available, the quality and longevity might not be as reliable. If you find you need more than the highest SSD storage option available, investing in a spacious external hard drive will allow you to back up older projects with ease and still enjoy a high-speed device.

3. Buying for the needs you have now

It can be easy to focus on what we need a device for right now that we skimp on things we might need in the future. A good quality new laptop will last you a good few years before needing an upgrade, so it’s wise to consider the needs you may have in the future. Avoid opting for a device that won’t be able to handle software updates and new programmes without compromising on speed and efficiency as the years go by and consult tech advisors on the longevity of a device before purchasing.

4. Thinking size doesn’t matter

A smaller 13” laptop might look cute and easy to move around, but smaller laptops don’t always carry the power and processing punch needed for big projects and tasks. Be sure to check the specifications and capability of devices before you invest in the device. Smaller laptops also offer less display availability and the keyboard can feel cramped – making the ability to on big projects or multi-task with ease quite a challenge.

5. Overlooking connectivity ports 

If you find that you commonly use specific USB ports or SD card slots – don’t overlook checking that your new potential device has all the ports you’d need. Most modern laptops tend to cut their ports down to USB C ports solely – so ensure that the device you’re getting can accommodate your connecting devices with ease or budget in the possibility of needing to get a port adapter.

6. Buying with no retail research on the device

Finally – buying a laptop on a whim without research is a game of Russian Roulette. You may luck out, but it’s not worth the risk. Checking online reviews and comparing price options at different retailers will do a world of wonders for you to find the perfect device for all your laptop needs and help you find the best one in your budget too.

There is a range of streamlined laptops in the market that cater to a multitude of your potential tech needs. HUAWEI’s latest MateBook range brings forth devices that blend productivity, speed, and efficiency into a variety of glistening and stylish packaging options. They’re running deals on two of their popular HUAWEI MateBooks – the HUAWEI MateBook 14 and their HUAWEI MateBook D 15 i3.

For those on a budget, the ultra-slim and stylish HUAWEI MateBook D 15 i3 is calling your name. The device comes kitted out with a vibrant HUAWEI FullView Display screen boasting an impressive 1920x1080 resolution and anti-glare matte design – making working in any lighting situation a breeze. The device also packs a punch with powerful performance capabilities and includes the coveted features of HUAWEI Share, a secure Fingerprint Power Button feature, and high-speed connectivity abilities. Beyond this, the HUAWEI MateBook D 15 i3 flexes a diverse range of port options – including a USB C port, a USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI port, as well as a 3.5mm auxiliary port – offering users seamless and ease of cross-device connectivity. All this and more is available for the budget-friendly deal cost of R10,999 on HUAWEI’s website.

For those looking for a more premium experience, the HUAWEI MateBook 14 is ripe and ready for picking. The device includes an inviting and vibrant HUAWEI FullView Display screen with 2K resolution and a Multi-touch feature. It also comes with a powerhouse 10th Generation Intel Core processor, MX350 discrete graphics, 16 GB RAM space, and the Huawei Share feature. Powered by an impeccable 56Wh (Rated capacity) battery, the device allows you to play 1080P videos for up to 14.7 hours, work offline for 13.6 hours, or browse webpages for 10.7 hours with ease. Along with the port diversity and security features available in the HUAWEI MateBook D15 i3 and more, this premium laptop is a steal with its current retail price of R24,999 on HUAWEI’website

When buying a laptop, remember these six rules and you’ll be good to go and working from your home office with ease.

This post is?sponsored by HUAWEI produced by BrandStudio24?for News24.

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