Quality computers, whether for gaming or business, can cost anywhere between $500 to $5,000. For those on the market who are on a shoestring budget, here are a few tricks to help you balance cost and quality on your computer purchase:

Make It a Habit to Regularly Visit Online Sites

Before you buy anything, you must shop around for great deals online. There are many promos and discount codes for high-quality computers on the world wide web. Bookmark your favorite computer sites. Make it a habit to browse daily specials before deciding on what you want to get. You may be surprised that a desktop computer price in UAE could be a lot cheaper than what’s available in your local brick-and-mortar store. Even with shipping, your online pick could turn out to be much less expensive than a regular computer shop. Some online stores that have local counterparts offer in-store pickup.

Read Comments on Forums

Hang around in computer forums. Most computer aficionados make it their life’s mission to prowl around for great deals. They may not necessarily buy, but it’s the thrill of the hunt that keeps them on their toes. If some hobbyists collect baseball cards or RC planes, there are the techie ones that obsess over computer specs. Often, they’re excited to share these great deals to help out others, so hang around where they are and take advantage of their knowledge.

Peruse Google for Product Reviews

There are many tech bloggers out there that do reviews of various computer brands. They do detailed pros and cons of each laptop, desktop, or hybrid PC. These reviews are highly informative, giving you all the specifications, hardware, OS, software, and what add-ons a particular brand has included in their device. These product reviews are a lifesaver when you are feeling confused about what to get. The best part, these show the price of the computers so you can compare your top choices to see which will give you the best value for your hard-earned money.

Custom Build Your Own

If you really want a fabulous computer without breaking the bank, then consider doing it yourself. This gives you the freedom to choose what tech features to include. If you are not an avid gamer, then you don’t need a fancy graphics card or an expensive sound card. Telling a store the specs you want means you can do away without all the unnecessary upgrades you don’t even need. Should you doubt your own IT skills, it would be best to consult a techie friend for this project. As a gadget enthusiast, your buddy will most likely be more than eager to help you curate your personal computer.

Take Advantage of In-Store Deals

Don’t forget to hit up computer shops near you. When you do this, you can even see the product for yourself. Perhaps there is a demo unit that you can try to see if your chosen model can accommodate your needs. You may require a workhorse unit with a large amount of RAM because you intend to use it for online gaming concurrently with your work tasks. Usually, brick-and-mortar stores also offer a lot of promotions. Check what their specials are or if they have any collaborations with credit card companies. Since a computer is a high ticket item, one way to save is to get rebates or to earn credit card rewards.

Consider a Refurbished Unit

If money is tight, there is no shame in buying a refurbished unit. Buying a refurbished computer is an excellent method of getting you a high-end PC at a low-range price tag. For best results, steer clear of Craigslist or those second-hand units friends are selling. Instead, go with refurbished units straight from a computer manufacturer. You’re sure to receive a pre-loved machine that has been inspected and repaired to be as good as new. Just make sure that you go to a reputable store that will offer you an impressive warranty. This ensures that you are protected in case there are some issues with your product.

Finding a good deal on a computer will also depend on timing. Try to hold off buying a computer until Black Friday or Cyber Monday events. During these times of the year, electronics are usually one of the biggest benefactors of price discounts.