Buying a laptop can seem tough. Not only do the laptops get more capable every year, but new features (some of which are little more than marketing tricks) crop up and can be hard to sort out. What should the screen size be? Do you need ultra-high-definition (UHD or 4K) resolution, or is normal high definition enough? What about memory, ports, and 2-in-1 working? Will a Chromebook suffice? Our blog, the Best Places to Buy Laptops, will help you choose the best laptop for your needs and the best dealer. We looked at the main factors that affected the buying experience and the seven best places to purchase a new laptop.
- Best Buy
- Walmart
- Newegg
- Amazon
- Target
- Staples
- TigerDirect
Best Buy:
The most well-known U.S. electronics store
Best Buy is likely the most well-known U.S. electronics store, and it’s our No. 1 Best Place to Buy a Laptop online in 2022. Part of Best Buy’s rating has to do with choice, as it offers 21 Best Laptops of 2022. You can buy online and pick up your laptop in a physical store, and Best Buy will even match Amazon’s prices on similar items. There’s also a fidelity program and free shipping for $35 or more orders. On the downside, the 15-day return policy is one of the least ample among the stores in our rating.
One advantage of buying a laptop from Best Buy is that you can add Geek Squad security. Prices for a three-year or five-year Geek Squad security plan depend on the cost of the laptop you buy. A Geek Squad protection plan almost extends the laptop’s warranty. It covers 100% of the parts and labor if you need a battery replacement or a repair, either from harm or normal wear and tear.
Walmart:
You may guess a store that sells everything would have a moderate choice of most things, including laptops. However, Walmart sells the Best Laptops of 2022. Like Best Buy, you can buy and return items either in a physical store or online. Also, like Best Buy, Walmart’s shipping is free for items that cost at least $35. You’re likely to have a Walmart somewhere close to you, with more than 4,700 stores in the U.S.
Walmart’s return window for laptops is 30 days. You can return items in-store, by mail, or via a planned pickup from your home. Items bought at a Walmart store can only be returned in a store, while online products can be returned in-store or by mail.
Newegg:
Newegg is an online-only dealer that calls itself “the top tech-focused e-retailer in North America.” It has the biggest selection of Best Laptops of 2022 rating (25 models). The company also stocks differently.
- Consumer electronics,
- Computer parts,
- Tablets,
- Software,
- Office supplies,
- General products
Although there’s no option to see or buy a product in a physical store, the company offers different choices of payment methods, including Apple Pay, Bitcoin, Ethereum, QuadPay, and Dogecoin. Payment in installments is available.
Shipping costs depend on the product purchased. The next-day, two-day, and three-day shipping options are functional. You can also select a slower and cheaper option such as ground (one to five business days), APO/FPO/DPO (two to six weeks), and Super Eggsaver (four to seven business days). All these options have their terms and forms.
Amazon:
At No. 4 in our rating, Amazon offers the latest models on the Best Laptops of 2022 list, matching Walmart. The company offers free two-day Prime shipping for many things and even more rapid shipping in some cases. Evolving an Amazon Prime member has many other perks, including Prime Video content, deals, and online photo storage. On the downside, while Amazon does have physical bookstores, you can’t buy a laptop in person. You can return laptops and other products within 30 days to any UPS or Kohl’s location or an Amazon Hub Locker. You can even have UPS pick up the item at your house for an extra charge.
Target:
Target sells many items, including a good variety of laptops from well-known brands like Dell, Asus, HP, and Lenovo. There’s also a selection of pre-owned laptops. However, Target stocks only one laptop in our Best Laptops rating. Target allows payment via PayPal, and installment financing is available. You can buy online and return in a store or vice versa, and orders of $35 or more ship free in two days. Target Tech service provides technical support and upgrades for devices and plans.
It has a RedCard rewards program that offers 5% discounts on every purchase. Target’s two-year laptop protection plans run from $20 to $111 and are backed by Allstate. Most packed items bought at Target in new condition and returned within 90 days will receive a refund or exchange. However, you need to return laptops and other electronics within 30 days.
Staples:
Staples is an electronics retailer and office supply that sells an upright variety of laptops. But like Target, it only holds one of the models in the Best Laptops of 2022. The company has a lot of other items going for it, though. You will find a wide choice of computer peripherals and everything you need to stock your home office fully. Staples offers a loyalty program and in-store pickups and returns for online items like most rivals.
There’s no two-day shipping option, but shipping is free for orders of at least $45. The company offers electronics protection plans that last between two and four years and cost from $19.99 to $49.99 a year. Some of these plans include accident security and technical support. Who must return technology buys within 14 days? If you no longer have a receipt, you can get a refund to the credit card used to make the purchase. Otherwise, you’re only eligible for a store credit.
TigerDirect:
This online electronics store sells many computers and additions, including the Best Laptops of 2022. Dell, Lenovo, and HP are well-presented here. On the other side, shipping your laptop isn’t free. Also, returns up to 30 days from the date of purchase are sometimes possible. The return policy notes that products from HP, Lenovo, and other brands are not returnable to TigerDirect. If you’re thinking about buying a laptop from this company, check the return policy for that exact make and model first.
Conclusion
When you look forward to finding out a laptop from a laptop-related retailer, consider some things like,
- Processor speed
- Screen size
- Resolution
- Laptop memory
- Laptop price
- Selection of laptop by considering the model and configuration
- Is the keyboard comfortable?
- Is the screen easy to read and bright?
- What is the weight of the laptop
- The policy in-store pickups and returns
- Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon have the highest and the latest stock of the best laptops of 2022.