How to Get a Free or Cheap Laptop for College
Getting a laptop before heading to college is essential for most students, but laptops do not come cheap. Whether you’ve recently graduated high school and are getting ready for your first day at college, or are a graduate student in need of a new device, you might be wondering if there is anything that you can do to save money on your college laptop or even get one free of charge. After all, saving money wherever you can is a big part of the college experience for most students. The good news is that there are lots of things that you can do to get a laptop for less, or even for nothing.
Ask Your College
The first step for anybody who is going to college is to check with the school to see if there are any devices offered as part of your tuition costs. In some cases, you might get a laptop to use free of charge if you are studying a certain program such as computer science or design, for example, where you will need a laptop that can meet the demands of the course. Although this laptop isn’t free because you’re still paying for it with your tuition fees, it’s a good way to get a device that you can start using straight away with no upfront costs.
Look Out for Deals
If you are not eligible to get a free laptop as part of your college course, then it’s worth shopping around and keeping your eyes out for any deals you can find. You might be able to get a Lenovo college laptop at a reasonable price depending on the time of year that you are shopping and if you can use a student discount. Before shopping for a laptop for college, it’s a good idea to know what you need it to do, so that you can easily narrow down your requirements and avoid spending more on features that you might not really need.
Find Grants and Other Aid
In some cases, certain students might be eligible for grants and other types of financial aid that you can use to help you cover the cost of getting a laptop for college. It is definitely worth researching the different types of support grants that you might be able to get to help you with the cost of going to college and getting your own laptop for your course.
Try Second-Hand
Finally, bear in mind that you don’t have to get a laptop brand-new to get a good deal. You can often find some excellent second-hand deals if you are willing to use a device that has been used before. Of course, buying second-hand might be riskier compared to buying brand new, but there are lots of chances to save a considerable amount of money on your purchase if you are careful, know what you are looking for, and vet each option.
No matter what you plan to study at college, you’re going to need your own laptop. When you know where to look, there are plenty of ways to get a cheap or even completely free of charge laptop for students.