4 Computer Money-saving Tips

 

Here are four tips that’ll save you money when buying your next

computer.

Tip #1 — Rebates: A rebate is not always a bargain. Computers with

rebates are often close to being discontinued. You may pick up a good

deal or purchase technology that’s about to become yesterday’s news.

What’s more, stores will often package computers with a bunch of free

items to make it look like you’re getting more value. Chances are the

extras are either poor quality or items you’re unlikely to use. Also,

they’re counting on you to not redeem your rebate, a very common

occurrence.

Tip #2 — Extended Service Warrantees: Buyer Beware! They’re a

gamble, but not always a bad idea. If you’re purchasing a laptop and you

plan to travel a lot, an extended warranty that covers replacement of the

monitor/display can be a good gamble. Replacing a display can cost

$400-$600, making the warranty worthwhile. On the other hand, if you

plan on buying the warranty for routine maintenance; save your money.

Oftentimes it can take weeks for the store to send your PC out for

service. Also, remember the store where you purchased your computer

does not always do warranty work during the first year, instead you may

have to ship it directly to the manufacturer. In general, extended

warranties cover electronics [things you can't see]. They don’t usually

cover physical damage. Most extended warranties have large gray areas,

leaving the warranty provider a lot of room to reject claims.

Tip #3 — Monitors: Don’t throw away your monitor if it’s still working

properly. Instead, keep it and save a chunk of money by just replacing

your old CPU [computer tower]. Monitors last much longer than CPUs and

the technology is usually compatible between your old monitor and the

new CPU. However, if you’re dissatisfied, then monitors, keyboards and

mouses are the three tools to spend extra money on, since you use them

every day!

Tip #4 — Networking: How are you connecting to the Internet? If you’re

using a high speed Internet connection, such as cable broadband or DSL,

you’ll want to make sure you have a network card built into your system.

If you have a wireless network at home or at the office, save money and

installation time by buying the wireless card built right into the computer.

4 Computer Money-saving Tips
Here are four tips that’ll save you money when buying your next
computer.
Tip #1 — Rebates: A rebate is not always a bargain. Computers with
rebates are often close to being discontinued. You may pick up a good
deal or purchase technology that’s about to become yesterday’s news.
What’s more, stores will often package computers with a bunch of free
items to make it look like you’re getting more value. Chances are the
extras are either poor quality or items you’re unlikely to use. Also,
they’re counting on you to not redeem your rebate, a very common
occurrence.
Tip #2 — Extended Service Warrantees: Buyer Beware! They’re a
gamble, but not always a bad idea. If you’re purchasing a laptop and you
plan to travel a lot, an extended warranty that covers replacement of the
monitor/display can be a good gamble. Replacing a display can cost
$400-$600, making the warranty worthwhile. On the other hand, if you
plan on buying the warranty for routine maintenance; save your money.
Oftentimes it can take weeks for the store to send your PC out for
service. Also, remember the store where you purchased your computer
does not always do warranty work during the first year, instead you may
have to ship it directly to the manufacturer. In general, extended
warranties cover electronics [things you can't see]. They don’t usually
cover physical damage. Most extended warranties have large gray areas,
leaving the warranty provider a lot of room to reject claims.
Tip #3 — Monitors: Don’t throw away your monitor if it’s still working
properly. Instead, keep it and save a chunk of money by just replacing
your old CPU [computer tower]. Monitors last much longer than CPUs and
the technology is usually compatible between your old monitor and the
new CPU. However, if you’re dissatisfied, then monitors, keyboards and
mouses are the three tools to spend extra money on, since you use them
every day!
Tip #4 — Networking: How are you connecting to the Internet? If you’re
using a high speed Internet connection, such as cable broadband or DSL,
you’ll want to make sure you have a network card built into your system.
If you have a wireless network at home or at the office, save money and
installation time by buying the wireless card built right into the computer.

 

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