The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread lockdowns and government-mandated school closures. Whilst the classrooms may be closed, however, learning must go on, and home schooling has become part and parcel of family life. With weeks still to go before we can even start considering how to lift the UK’s lockdown, it follows that parents are still trying to adapt to the new normal of learning from home. It even seems that the trend may continue after lockdown ends, since schools don’t exactly lend themselves all that well to social distancing.
With lessons moving online, children need more access to home computers than might previously have been the case. From Zoom seminars to online document editing and exams, it’s also the case that online learning is a little too intense for some older laptops – which has led to a rush on technology stores as parents try to get the best computers for their kids.
As we all know, computers aren’t cheap. That doesn’t mean you can’t bag a great deal, though. For the latest laptops at the lowest prices, follow the tips below and remember that home learning doesn’t have to be expensive.
Don’t always choose the cheapest option…
One of the most common traps parents fall into is buying the cheapest option available. There are scores of great quality budget laptops out there, but you really should avoid buying on price point alone.
Instead, you need to shop for a laptop whilst armed with a list of the specifications and features that your child needs to deal with online learning. From RAM and storage to the operating system, your best bet is to look for the features before you try to cut down on price.
If you’re not sure, get in touch with your child’s teacher or form tutor to establish what sorts of programmes they use to teach, and what kind of specifications you’ll need to run them.
… But don’t think you need to most expensive either
Cheap may not be the best answer, but you can’t get around the problem just by opting for the most expensive laptops available. Learning from home may take more processing power than watching YouTube videos, but that doesn’t mean that you need a top-shelf laptop with all the bells and whistles either.
Another common mistake made by parents is to shop according to the brand – and there’s no surprise that children will usually ask for the latest and greatest models from the biggest brands. The thing is, if it strains your budget, it probably has something that you don’t need.
Think about the future
Some of the best advice to a person shopping for a laptop is to buy for tomorrow, not just today. In plain terms, this means you should think about what you might use the computer for in the future, rather than your immediate needs. If your child is in Key Stage 3, consider whether it makes sense to buy a better laptop now rather than having to return and buy another one when they progress on to secondary school.
Similarly, if your teenager is thinking of pursuing a science or art course at university, they may well need more processing power than would be the case for a humanities student. Laptops and computers should last more than just a year or two, so think carefully about your needs and shop for the long term. It’ll save you from having to start the process again in a year’s time.
Do your research
If you are on the lookout for a new laptop to help your child with their home learning, you really can’t get away with slacking on the research front. You can only make an informed choice and find the best deals by shopping around and knowing your stuff. Going to a shop without at least a basic idea of what you’re looking for will make you an easy target for upselling, leaving you paying far more than you can afford for a laptop that’s way more advanced than is strictly necessary.
From TechRadar to Which?, there are plenty of online reviews and sources that will help you to form a better picture of your child’s computing needs.
Spread your payments and get the right computer for your child
As we’ve said before, laptops are expensive – but with the schools shut there’s no question that children need to be able to access learning in an easy and convenient way. The trouble is, just because your child needs a computer doesn’t mean you can afford one.
Happily, there are lots of options available to cash strapped parents who are trying their best to stay afloat through the pandemic. By taking out a short-term personal loan, you could spread the cost of buying a laptop whilst making it easier to manage your finances. With credit brokers like Little Loans making it easy to check your eligibility, you could get the money needed to buy a brand new computer on the same day that you apply – leaving your bank balance in the black, all whilst your kids can get on with learning.
The right laptop, at the best price
Buying a computer can be surprisingly difficult – especially if your kids are nagging you for a top-line model. By following the advice in this article, you may be able to land yourself a quality laptop that meets all of their learning needs without breaking the bank. Just remember – getting your child a new computer is a real investment in their education, and that won’t just go away when they make a return to the classroom.