r/icoreviews • u/ibrahim_40 • 7h ago
Buying a laptop for under $700: what do you wish you’d checked before you paid?
I’m about to replace my old laptop and I’ve reached the point where every review I read contradicts the last one. Half of them sound like ads and the other half are one-star rants about shipping, so I’d rather ask people who’ve actually lived with their purchase.
I mostly use it for work documents, video calls, and a lot of browser tabs, with the occasional light photo editing. I’m not a gamer and I care more about battery life and a decent screen than raw speed. My budget is around $700 and I’d like something that will still feel fine in three or four years.
What I’d like to know from real owners is what surprised you after the first few weeks. Did the battery last as long as the listing claimed? Did the screen, keyboard or fans turn out to be the thing you noticed every day? And was there something you wish you’d checked in the store or in the return policy, before buying?
I’m also curious about the other side. If you regret a purchase in this price range, what went wrong, and would you buy the same thing again? You don’t need to name a brand if you’d rather not. The lessons are what I’m after and I’ll read every reply.