The price of a laptop depends on several factors and hence can vary a lot. A laptop can cost anywhere from a simple 200 dollars to thousands of dollars.
However, once you are informed about these decisive factors and analyze them properly, you will be able to choose the perfect laptop for your needs and budget.
Selecting the right laptop is crucial as it will allow you to focus your budget on aspects that are required and save money on things that you don’t need.
So, if you are also wondering how much a laptop costs and want to find out all the details, this article is perfect for you.
Factors Influencing Price Of A Laptop
There are several factors that influence the choice of a laptop. I will be discussing some of the most important ones that you should pay proper attention to when choosing a laptop.
MacBooks VS Laptops
MacBooks are generally more expensive compared to normal laptops. We can say that their starting price point is much higher.
However, as you go high enough, there are several high-end laptops that challenge MacBooks even in terms of price.
So, if you are going with MacBooks, the price is bound to be higher as compared to other laptops, unless you have selected a very premium laptop from another brand.
Also Read: How Much Is An Apple Laptop?
Type of Laptop
If you haven’t chosen the MacBook and are going with a normal laptop, then you will get three options.
You can either choose to go with a normal laptop that comes with a type interface, a touch-and-type laptop, or a fully convertible or detachable laptop, which is also known as a 2-in-1 laptop.
The price of these laptops goes higher in exactly the same order. Touchscreen is considered a personal preference. So, if you think you will need it, you will have to pay for it and hence the laptop is bound to cost more.
Processing Power and Generation
Next comes the CPU. The version and generation of the CPU increase the price of a laptop as they go up.
An i3 costs less while a i9 costs much higher. However, you have to combine this with the generation of the processor to get an accurate price point.
The latest generation currently is the 13th Gen. Generally, you can find laptops in 2024 that range from 9th Gen to 13th Gen of the processor series i3, i5, i7, and i9.
Which processor you should go with will depend on what you are going to use the laptop for.
For general usage, I usually recommend going with a 10th Gen i5 processor, that doesn’t cost much and comes in budget-friendly laptops.
Dedicated and Integrated GPU
Whether to go with a dedicated GPU or not again becomes a choice of the user depending on the specific requirements of the task.
Dedicated GPUs in laptops are not cheap and often come with a hefty price tag. You won’t find a dedicated GPU in laptops that cost less than 600 dollars.
Then GPUs start with the GTX series and go up to the RTX 40 series. The NVIDIA RTX 40 series GPU is the latest one in laptops that offer up to 12 GB of GDDR6 VRAM.
Also Read: Best Gaming Laptops in 2024
The higher you go, the more you will have to pay. However, if graphics-intensive performance is not listed as one of your requirements, you can go with an integrated GPU, which will cost a lot less and make your laptop a lot more affordable.
Memory (RAM) and Storage
RAM and Storage are also important considerations. As you increase these performance specs, the price of the laptop also goes up.
As you step into 2024, you have options to go with DDR3, DDR4, and DDR5 RAM, with DDR5 being the latest and costing the highest.
Similarly, you have options of PCIe 3.0 and PCIe 4.0 in storage slots. Going with the latest versions of memory and storage may cost a bit more but it provides better futureproofing for your laptop.
You can always upgrade RAM and Storage later on, but you won’t be able to upgrade the generation, as it is fixed on the Motherboard.
Display Aspect
Display size, resolution, and type are also highly influential factors for the price point of the laptop.
Larger displays are more expensive and similarly higher resolution is also expensive. Compared to this, smaller displays and lower resolution cost you less money.
Also Read: What Is The Best Cheap Gaming Laptop?
If you go with IPS, TN, or VA panels in displays, they will cost you average but going with OLED displays costs a lot more. OLED displays are preferred by photographers and color graders who are after the highest color accuracy and hence are ready to pay for it.
Portability
Another influential factor that often decides the price of a good laptop is portability. Laptops that come in slim and lightweight designs are more expensive as compared to bulky and old laptops.
So, you should properly assess your portability needs when you are choosing a laptop. Generally, laptops that come with higher generation of processors are lighter in weight and account for the portability needs.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the most crucial factors in a laptop that must be paid proper attention to and it is a place where you should invest your money.
Laptops that come with larger batteries and feature advanced technology like Fast Charing capability are more expensive compared to laptops that are older and do not offer much battery life.
Also Read: Best Laptops Under $700
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average price of a good laptop?
The average price of a good laptop can range from 400-1000 dollars. In this budget, you can find a good laptop for your needs. This budget range covers the diverse requirements of various users.
Are gaming laptops expensive?
Yes, gaming laptops are expensive. While you can play some games on all laptops, for an immersive gaming experience, you need to have a dedicated GPU in a laptop which significantly increases its price.
Do I need a dedicated GPU in a laptop?
Not necessarily. A dedicated GPU is only required for specific purposes. Like if you want to play advanced games, or do graphic-intensive work like video editing, streaming, or 3D designing and modeling, you will need a dedicated GPU.
Wrapping Up!
Summing it all up, the price of a laptop depends on several factors and hence there is no singular answer to the question “How much does a laptop cost?”
However, if you want to have a price of an average good laptop, I would suggest around 700 dollars.
For this price range, you can get a good quality laptop that will be tailored to your specific needs. It might not be the most powerful laptop but it will help you with your requirements.
You can always upgrade the performance components later on to give your system a boost. Good Luck!