Laptop reviews: How to buy

From a high-street retailer
The main advantage of buying at a shop when searching for the best laptop is you can try out the model you're interested in and make sure you like the feel of the machine.

Features such as the keyboard and the touchpad can differ quite considerably between laptop models, so even if you end up buying your chosen model online, it’s worth going along to a shop to try it out first.

By phone
Buying a laptop by phone can mean you can ask for advice and often get a more competitive price than from a shop.

Online
Online is where you'll find the real savings, but the downside is you'll have to navigate the computer jargon yourself. Plus, you don't get to see your chosen laptop model first hand.

Customise to get the best laptop for you
Many computer manufacturers let you customise the laptop you want to buy, particularly if you buy online.

It can often pay to increase the spec of your computer above the bare minimum, as this might help you get a bit more life out of it. So be prepared to spend a little more, but look for the ‘sweet spot’ in terms of value for money.

If you are looking to customise your chosen machine, opt first for upgrading the Ram and the processor.

Keep an eye on costs, though, as you're sure to reach a point where to boost processing power just a tiny bit will cost you a hundred pounds or more – a high price to pay for what is likely to be a barely noticeable increase in power.

Laptop buying tips
 
How can I get a free laptop?
There are many deals out there claiming to offer cheap or free laptops. Mobile phone companies such as O2, Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile and 3 offer free or subsidised laptops when you sign up to a mobile broadband contract, often for 18 or 24 months.

Research by Which? found that many mobile broadband and laptop offers from mobile phone companies are more expensive than buying the same mobile broadband and the laptop separately.

Shoppers may ultimately end up paying for a 'free' laptop with higher monthly contract costs, so make sure that you check how much each part of the deal costs when bought separately before signing up to a lengthy contract.

Pink laptops? What are the colour options?

Whilst most laptops are grey, black, silver or white, manufacturers now offer many laptops in a range of funky colours such as pink, blue, green, orange, and purple.

Some models are customisable with different patterned covers.

Laptop student discounts
As laptops are so popular with college and university students needing a versatile computer for study at home and in the library, that companies often advertise special student deals.

Check carefully that these really are a bargain, as sometimes they are merely low-spec models, and by stretching the student loan a little more you can get a much better PC.

Apple, however, does offer a student discount scheme. We found 6% off an Apple MacBook Air, but discounts do vary depending on the laptop you choose.