This is the first in a buying guide series for small businesses looking to buy new laptops. There are a million reviews of laptops online and it can, understandably, be difficult to know where to start.
Read too many reviews of laptops and your head will start to spin. While reviews may be useful and give you some handy info here and there about what’s on the market and developing tech, keep in mind they’re often subjective and/or sponsored. This blog will give you some use knowledge so that you can make up your own mind.
Our simple step-by-step buying guide should also help you to be more focused on what matters to your business in terms of efficiency and value and not become distracted by things that don’t matter, like the cover or the fact it might come with a free smartwatch you’ll never use.
Step 1: Set your budget
If you’re coming from a fairly unknowledgeable position about laptops, your insecurity about ‘not having the best’ will likely result in you purchasing above and beyond your budget.
Not every business needs a fleet of the highest spec laptops in the land. Your budget should consider cost and quality, but also not skimp on spec that will leave your business inefficient, employees frustrated and limit operation and capability.
And, if you have various employee roles, there may very well be a case for some having higher spec laptops than others. For example, design members of the team are going to need a machine of much higher capability than an entry level apprentice, for example a pricey Mac.
How to set a budget?
Don’t consult with every member of staff what laptop they want. Keep decision-making to a few key members of staff who can inform you on needs, issues and considerations of the different roles in your organisation and the tech needed. Keep things simple.
Pricing tiers
Look at the pricing tier of laptops and aim to get your choices broadly in the category that’s right for you. Here’s a guide. While we’re not saying there aren’t bargains to be had in and outside these categories, here’s a roughly what to expect of laptops in the following price ranges:
Under £300
Honestly, there isn’t likely to be anything useful for your business in this category. Chromebooks and very low-end Windows machines feature here only. While useful as entry-level laptops for children to do homework on, they’re not recommended for any sort of business use.
£300 to £599
Window laptops of mediocre quality and better business Chromebooks typically feature in this category. The Windows machines in this category tend to have limited storage, because storage is expensive, while still maintaining a relatively ok-ish build quality. For entry level stall who are perhaps carrying out only basic tasks in MS Office and posting on social media, this type of laptop would be adequate.
£600 to £999
Most businesses need to look in this category for a laptop that meets their general needs. For a powerful enough processor than can allow multitasking at a business level, you will usually be ale to get the memory and storage required from this range.
Security needs are better met by laptops in this category, as they will usually be tooled-up with fingerprint scanners. Plus, they will have increased battery life than their less expensive versions, more ergonomic keyboards and higher quality displays. They’ll also not be embarrassing to pull out onto the table at a meeting.
£1000 upwards
The phrase: you pay for what you get, is never truer than of laptops so don’t look in this range unless you’re prepared to be tempted by what’s on offer. Power, portability and rapid performance all feature. If you’re a power user or your team need to be, this is your price bracket. Staff who have development or design responsibilities are served well, plus any executives in your team who need to be projecting the right image.
Decide according to this price guide and what your business needs, and you’ll keep to your budget.
Next up… Choosing an operating system
Next in the series of Buying laptops for your business: Step 2 Choosing an operating system, coming soon.
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