Where Should I Get a Good Laptop From

by Doug Desjardins

Overview

Laptop computers can be purchased from traditional retailers and on websites.If you're in the market for a used laptop, you can shop on Craigslist, in classified ads or on eBay.
Brick-and-Mortar Retailers

The best place to shop for computers used to be at a computer store but with the demise of specialty chains like CompUSA, which went bankrupt in 2007, electronics retailers and big box stores have taken over. Best Buy offers a great selection and competitive prices and Wal-Mart is also a good place to shop for laptops. Wal-Mart offers rock-bottom prices because it's able to force computer vendors to come down on price in exchange for increased sales volume. Warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club operate on low margins and also offer low prices, though they usually have a limited selection. And when shopping at retail, it's always good to wait for computers to go on sale, especially around holidays.

The Internet

You can find bargains on new computers at Internet sites like eBay and Amazon. People who receive laptops as gifts or through other means and don't want them often put them up for auction on eBay and good deals can be had by getting online and bidding. When bidding on eBay, always check the number of positive ratings that sellers have to ensure you're dealing with a reputable seller (the same goes for Amazon). You should also browse the websites of retailers such as Best Buy, Target and Wal-Mart to check for special online deals that aren't offered in stores. Some of these deals even include free shipping. Or you can shop directly through manufacturers like Dell, which up until 2008 only sold its computers through mail order or online and still does the bulk of its sales that way.
Used Laptops

Buying a used laptop is always an iffy proposition. However, many people are willing to deal with potential problems or scratches and dings in exchange for a low price. You can check classified ads or browse Craigslist, which is quickly replacing the role once played by newspaper classified ads (laptop ads on Craiglist are also usually accompanied by photos). You can also find used laptops on eBay or Amazon that are sold through auctions or at a set price.