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Cost of living crisis: 9 top tips to save money on tech

Cost of living A boy tries to use an Apple laptop at a computer shop in Tokyo, Japan, May 10, 2019.   REUTERS/Issei Kato
Cost of living crisis: Replacing a laptops unexpectedly can be a huge cost. Photo: Issei Kato/Reuters (Issei Kato / reuters)

As inflation increases its stranglehold on UK households, many dread the moment when their old laptop will give out as replacing it could be expensive amid a cost of living crisis where every penny counts.

Here are some top tips from consumer body Which? on how to save money on tech and computing when it’s finally time to replace your laptop.

1. Shop in the sales, but keep an eye on the price

Which? suggests shopping around for the best price, as sometimes sale prices can be misleading. Shoppers should be aware that sometimes a 'sale' price can just be a product's normal price at other times of the year. Which? has repeatedly found that 99.5% of Black Friday ‘deals’ were actually cheaper or the same price at other points in the year. If you know there’s a sale coming up, it’s worth checking the price of the device prior to the sale, to ensure it’s a genuine bargain. Shoppers can do this by checking the website in the weeks prior to a sale and checking the price on other websites to compare to make a better judgement on whether a deal is as good as it looks. If shopping on Amazon, you can use the website camelcamelcamel to check price history.

2. Buy refurbished or second-hand

A refurbished or reconditioned laptop has usually been professionally restored by a manufacturer or retailer to the closest it can get to ‘as new’ condition, they usually come with warranties too. Which? found that refurbished laptops and phones are sometimes hundreds of pounds cheaper than buying a brand new model. Always remember to check if the device is still supported by vital security updates.

3. Shop around before you buy

Consumers should shop around before purchasing a new device. For example, in May 2022 Which? found an Asus C101 laptop on sale in Grade B used condition on eBay for around £220. This might seem reasonable for a laptop that originally cost £299 new, but Currys PC World had the same model on sale, brand new, for £199.

4. Trade-in second-hand devices

Those looking to buy a new phone or laptop might be able to trade it in for money off their next purchase or contract. For example, Apple offers to take old devices and swap them for credit towards new purchases or an Apple Store Gift Card to be used at any time. If the old device isn’t eligible, ie if it’s damaged beyond repair, Apple offers to recycle it. The Apple Trade-In website has a list of price estimates for iPhone models from the iPhone SE (1st generation) to the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

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Read more: Cost of living crisis: 13 top tips to save money on clothes and shoes

Depending on the age and condition of the device, customers could get between £35 and £610 for their gadget. Samsung also has a trade-in scheme for mobiles, tablets, wearables and occasionally other devices, too. Customers can find out the value of their gadgets on the brand’s website. It also offers ‘spotlight’ deals, for example, customers can currently claim up to £520 off a Galaxy S22 Ultra when they trade in an old phone.

5. Check for student deals and offers

Students can often bag discounts on laptops, especially at the start of the educational year. Retailers and manufacturers offer discounts for students, either requiring verification through a student email address or a membership with a student deals website such as StudentBeans. Microsoft and Apple both offer 10% off for students as well as other exclusive perks. Dell and Samsung offer up to 25% off. It’s also worth checking other retailers who might run their own limited-time student deals.

6. Check the price of HP after a month of it going on sale

HP laptops are found in nearly every laptop retailer, but most of the ‘deals’ you’ll find are at Currys, with dozens of models available. Most HP laptops go on sale at a higher price, then are discounted by at least £100 after around a month. HP also sells directly through its website, so it’s always worth checking for discounts and voucher codes to see if this works out cheaper.

7. Make sure it’s Windows 11 compatible

If buying a second-hand or refurbished laptop, Which? recommends buying one that’s eligible for a Windows 11 upgrade in the future. The Microsoft support website has a fully updated list of the minimum specifications of a laptop in order for it to be eligible for a Windows 11 upgrade.

Read more: Cost of living crisis: Top tips to cut costs on holiday

If a computer isn't compatible with Windows 11, it’ll stop getting Windows 10 security updates in October 2025, at which point the device will be unprotected from whatever the latest threats may be.

8. Check the reviews before buying

It’s important to check reviews before splashing out on an expensive laptop or phone. If there are annoying problems with a new device, or it needs upgrading after a year or two, it might not be worth what you spend on it. Which? has a range of advice guides to help shoppers choose a laptop that’s right for them.

9. Think about which features you need

It isn’t always necessary to spend a fortune on a laptop, especially if only using it for day-to-day use. Which? found decent models for £200 or less, if they’re only going to be used for browsing the internet and light note-taking. Cheaper laptops usually come with 4GB of Ram, which will be enough for some. Certain features and extras can also add to the cost of a new laptop. Shoppers can avoid overpaying for a laptop by weighing up what they need from a new device. For example, it often isn’t necessary to pay extra for more than 8GB of Ram, Which? found that stepping up to 16GB with a Macbook Air can cost £200.

As many people now back up files and photos to the cloud, it might not be worth buying a laptop with massive storage potential. You save money by picking a laptop with less internal storage and utilise free cloud storage instead, typically 15GB (Google Drive) or less. Google One is available for around £1.59 per month for 100GB.

Watch: The risks of buying now and paying later