Laptops: How to buy the best laptop Laptop buying tips

How can I get a free laptop?

There are many deals out there claiming to offer cheap or free laptops. Mobile phone companies such as O2, Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile and 3 offer free or subsidised laptops when you sign up to a mobile broadband contract, often for 18 or 24 months. 

Research by Which? found that many mobile broadband and laptop offers from mobile phone companies are more expensive than buying the same mobile broadband and the laptop separately. 

Shoppers may ultimately end up paying for a 'free' laptop with higher monthly contract costs, so make sure that you check how much each part of the deal costs when bought separately before signing up to a lengthy contract.

For help choosing the best laptop computer watch the Which? buyers' guide video

Pink laptops stand out against the usual black, grey or silver

Pink laptops? What are the colour options?

Whilst most laptops are grey, black, silver or white, manufacturers now offer many laptops in a range of funky colours such as pink, blue, green, orange, and purple. 

Some models are customisable with different patterned covers.

Student laptops: discounts

As laptops are so popular with college and university students needing a versatile computer for study at home and in the library, that companies often advertise special student deals. 

Check carefully that these really are a bargain, as sometimes they are merely low-spec models, and by stretching the student loan a little more you can get a much better PC.

Apple, however, does offer a student discount scheme. We found 6% off an Apple MacBook Air, but discounts do vary depending on the laptop you choose.