Should I get a new laptop? Via Shutterstock.
For the past year or so I’ve been dying to update my laptop. I’ve had the same MacBook for five years and while it’s still in good condition it’s not as fast as I’d like it to be. My computer envy really kicked into high gear when my boyfriend Derrick got a new 15″ Macbook Pro from work. I’ve stolen it to use for my own work and I’ve realized my lowly computer just can’t compare. Unfortunately, his new machine has a large price tag…to the tune of $1,999. Whomp Whomp. For this reason, I’ve been holding out on buying a new laptop until Black Friday with the hopes of scoring a great laptop deal.
Which laptop is the best deal?
I’ve been scouting out laptop deals and I’ve already found some great Black Friday sales on cheap laptops. This table compares a few of my favorite models.
| Laptop Model | Retina Display | Battery Life | Speed (CPU) | Memory | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Pro 15″ | Yes | 8 hrs. | 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor | 16GB | $1,899 (Best Buy current price reg. $1999.99) |
| Apple MacBook Pro 13″ | No | 7 hrs. | 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor | 4GB | $899 (Best Buy Black Friday Price reg. $1,099!) |
| Apple MacBook Pro 13″ with Retina Display | Yes | 9 hrs. | 2.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor | 8GB | $1349.99 ( Best Buy Black Friday Price reg. $1,499.99!) |
| Apple MacBook Air 11.5″ | No | 9 hrs. | 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor | 4GB | $779.99 ( Best Buy Black Friday Price reg. $899.99!) |
| Microsoft Surface | No | 8 hrs. | N/A | 2 GB | $249.99 (Amazon price) |
| Acer 11.6 Chromebook | No | 4 hrs. | 1.1GHz Celeron 847 processor | 2GB | $149 (Best Buy Black Friday Price Reg. $199.99!) |
As you can see I’m partial to MacBooks! Currently, I have the MacBook Pro 13″ 4GB model. I’m looking to upgrade to a better model so I’m leaning toward the 15″ or the 13″ with retina display. I prefer Mac computers because I occasionally edit video and create graphics on my computer. I’ve found that Mac computers have the best programs for this type of work AND the software that I’ve bought is all Mac compatible. Re-buying this software can be pretty pricey so that’s not something I’d like to do.
While there are some discounts on the 13″and 15″ MacBook Pros, all three models still cost over $1,000. That’s a large investment that I’m not sure if I’m willing to make. Because of this, I’ve also looked into how I can improve my existing computer with updates.
The Cost of Updating my MacBook
To increase my computer’s speed I would need two things: a solid state drive and additional memory. My two picks for these items are:
OCZ Flash Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) on sale for $109.99 (reg. $219.99!)
CORSAIR 8GB Memory for Apple Model on sale for $74.99 (reg. $102.99!).
Installation of these items would be free because my boyfriend is a computer engineer and has the tools to the perform the upgrade. This would make the cost of upgrading my computer (basically making it faster) only $184.98. I chose these two products because my boyfriend used them to update his computer last year with great results.
Note: These products are specific to my computer type. Generally you want a solid state drive and more memory to make your computer faster. You will however need to check your computer specs to see which products are most compatible.
To Upgrade or Buy?
While upgrading is clearly the more financially appealing option (less than $200 vs. $1,300+) I’m still not sure that’s the way I want to go. I love the Retina screen on my boyfriend’s laptop because it’s much more comfortable to look at for long periods. Since I’m usually on my computer for at least 8 hours a day doing work I’m thinking I might just bite the bullet and go big. What do you think?
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
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