| With the current financial climate being rather strained | | | | 3) Sales and special offers |
| many people are looking to spend less on luxury | | | | Sales are no longer just restricted to January and |
| items. Cutting back on electrical items is just one area | | | | many shops have year round discounts and special |
| where you could save money but what about those | | | | offers. Comparison sites on the internet are |
| items which you really need? If you’re a student, | | | | particularly useful for finding the latest special offers, |
| a professional, a business person or even run a busy | | | | as are money saving forums. Even if you don’t |
| home then a laptop is more of a necessity than a | | | | get a computer in the sales you could get your hands |
| luxury. Buying a computer doesn’t have to be a | | | | on some extra storage or add-ons to make your |
| huge expense though. Check out the guide below to | | | | existing computer last a little longer. |
| see how you can invest in a cheap computer at a | | | | 4) Second hand saviours |
| bargain price. | | | | Listen out for friends, family members and |
| 1) Ask about extras | | | | neighbours who may be upgrading their computer |
| Actually going into a computer store or calling up an | | | | and getting rid of their old one. You could get their |
| online shop could get you a real bargain if you have | | | | laptop at a super discounted rate or even for free. |
| the courage to ask for some extras to be thrown | | | | As technology moves so quickly, many people |
| into a deal. Sometimes it’s actually the other | | | | regularly invest in new laptops so look out in local |
| way round and phone companies and broadband | | | | papers and internet forums for people selling on their |
| suppliers can throw a free laptop into the deal when | | | | old machines. If you work in an office then it’s |
| you sign up for their service. Although haggling over | | | | always worth asking what will happen to older |
| price doesn’t always work at online and offline | | | | computers when the office machines are upgraded |
| computer shops, sometimes asking for small extras | | | | just in case you could bag a bargain. |
| such as a carry case or USB stick is worth a try. | | | | 5) Supermarkets bargains |
| 2) Ex display models | | | | Once just a place to buy your weekly food shop, |
| Models which have been out on a shelf on display for | | | | supermarkets now sell everything from clothes to |
| weeks on end are not necessarily worse than brand | | | | the latest technical gadgets, including computers. |
| new models but many stores offer significant | | | | Some manufacturers even make specific cheap |
| discount on these, particularly if they’re the last | | | | laptops to be sold in the thousands via supermarkets. |
| one in the range. Ask the sales staff whether they | | | | Check out your local supermarket for the latest |
| will knock some money off the price as often | | | | bargains and don’t forget to ask about ex |
| they’re keen to get rid of older models to free | | | | display models as you could knock the price down |
| up space for newer computers. | | | | further. |