Skip to main content

Save versus Splurge: Where to invest and where to save in your home computing setup

Image used with permission by copyright holder
Centurylink: Better living through technology

We know first hand that technology is expensive, but it’s also an investment because these little gadgets are meant to last you a long time. So, when setting up a home computer, are there ways to pinch pennys?  We asked our Computing editors for some tips on where to save on computing accessories, and where to splurge for the long run.

Splurge

Laptop and Desktop

The core of your home computing system, a computer is definitely worth the investment because the cost of repairing a cheap and easily broken one can amount to higher costs in the long run. By splurging on a strong laptop or desktop with high quality specs and upgraded software, you’re setting yourself for a device that should last you 3-to-4 years or even longer. Would you rather buy a new cheap laptop every year or just one awesome computer that you don’t have to constantly set up or transfer information out of? Trust us: the cost is more or less the same.

Tablet/laptop hybrid

Asus Taichi dualscreen laptopThe tablet/laptop hybrid is a relatively new configuration currently offered by a variety of well-known manufacturers like Lenovo and Asus. By either storing the keyboard into the monitor, or allowing the two to separate from each other, it’s a one-time cost that gets you the functionality and processing power of a computer with the mobility of a tablet. Yes, cloud services can help link accounts together so you have access to the same files across different devices, but hybrids allow you to keep all your files in one place and you never have to trade productivity for media consumption. 

Operating system

This one is a bit more of a judgement call that requires good research before the investment. Operating system updates are meant to help you work better, use all the new features your computer is capable of, and help with bugs previously unaddressed by the former OS edition. By being stingy and cutting back on OS updates, you could be missing out on the full potential of your computer. And why spend all that money on a great computer if you can’t maximize its capabilities?

Hard drive

Iomega Mac Companion Hard Drive - beauty shot - 08_2011Small hard drives are obviously cheaper, but let’s face it: The more you use your computer, the faster you’ll fill these babies up. Splurge on a large hard drive – 1TB to start would be ideal – and use Internet superstores like Newegg and Amazon to help you find the best deals. In addition to external hard drives, you can utilize free services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon Cloud Drive, and Box to help alleviate some costs. Keep referring some friends for extra free space.

Save

Monitor

You invested in a fancy new computer, so why not have a grandiose monitor to show it off with? Because televisions and monitors are getting cheaper every day that you really don’t need to spend the big bucks on quality displays. Unless you intend to use your monitor as a TV, save money on this one. If you’re concerned about brand names, AOC, Asus, Samsung, LG, and Dell all offer affordable, quality monitors. If you’re still obsessed with resolution, you can trade monitor size for picture quality.

Computer chair

You spend a lot of time at your computer, so you deserve to be comfortable, but any chair that keeps your posture in check is all you really need.

If you simply must get some cushion or massage while you’re working on the computer, get yourself a massaging chair pad that you can use with any seating in the house. Besides, sitting for too long is bad for you, and if you get yourself something a bit too comfy, you might never want to get up from it.

Router

There are plenty of routers these days with extra fancy USB and touchscreen menus, but they’re unnecessary. This is the kind of gadgets that you set up once and shove in a corner, so there’s no reason to spend extra money just because they look good. Find the one that can expand your wireless Internet signal to the distance you require, and don’t worry about the speeds – speed issues with your home network usually have more to do with your Internet service provider, not the router itself.  

Mouse

Unless you’re an pro gamer or an artist, an expensive mouse really isn’t a must for your home computing set up. Laptops these days are made so the trackpad is more responsive than ever, and by using an average external mouse, you might miss out all the touch gestures and shortcuts built-into your device.

Editors' Recommendations

Natt Garun
Former Digital Trends Contributor
An avid gadgets and Internet culture enthusiast, Natt Garun spends her days bringing you the funniest, coolest, and strangest…
Best Surface Laptop and Surface Pro deals: From $450
Microsoft Surface Go 3 sitting on table.

If you want a thin and light laptop that's similar to the MacBook Air but not in the Apple ecosystem, then the Microsoft Surface lineup of laptops is absolutely the way to go. In fact, if you've seen the recent unwrapping of the business version of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, you might be fired up and ready to grab your own surface. Unfortunately, the Surface lineup can be quite expensive, which is why we've gone out and scoured the retailers for the best deals we could find and collected them below. So, be sure to check out everything, as well as some of these other great laptop deals if you aren't fully committed to the Microsoft Surface lineup.
Microsoft Surface Go 3 -- $450, was $550

Functioning as a 2-in-1 laptop that can switch between tablet mode and laptop mode, the Microsoft Surface Go 3 won't have trouble dealing with basic tasks as it's equipped with the Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y processor and 8GB of RAM. The 10.5-inch touchscreen with 1920 x 1080 resolution is bright and colorful, and its 128GB SSD is more than enough for your documents. The Microsoft Surface Go 3 ships with Windows 11 Home in Mode, so you can start using it as soon as you unbox it. The device also promises up to 11 hours of battery life before requiring a recharge.

Read more
Best GPU deals: MSI, XFX, EVGA
An AMD graphics card in an external GPU enclosure.

If you're building a new PC from scratch, or upgrading an old one, then a new GPU is probably one of the biggest upgrades you can make, at least if you're looking for great gaming performance. Unfortunately, the last generation of RTX 40-series cards really amped the prices up, and even if you're going for AMD, you're going to be paying a pretty penny to get your hands on a good GPU. That said, there are some good deals to be had; whether you want something budget-friendly or high-end, you can always put that extra money you save into more RAM or a better CPU. Also, be sure to check out some of these gaming PC deals if you'd rather just grab something already pre-built.
MSI AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT Mech 2X 4GB GDDR6 -- $175, was $190

If you're looking for something that is ultra-budget, then this RX 6500 XT is a good option in the lower range and should let you handle at least some of the main free-to-play games like CS:GO and Rocket League, although you will have to play with graphical compromises. It should also handle indie and casual games, especially older ones like the ones you might find on emulators, so it's also a good option for that sort of budget build. the 4GB of VRAM is not a lot, but again, if you're not planning to play any modern AAA or AA games, then this isn't a bad option.

Read more
Horizon Forbidden West is a marvel — if your PC can handle the heat
Aloy shooting a bow in Horizon Forbidden West.

More than two years after its release on PS5, Horizon Forbidden West is now available on PC. The original game, Horizon Zero Dawn, has become a mainstay for performance testing on PC, and it's one of the pillars of our GPU reviews. The sequel ups the ante in a big way with more graphics options and a more demanding world overall.

I've been playing the game over the past week, drilling down on the best settings, comparing DLSS, FSR, and XeSS, and testing the bounds of performance. Horizon Forbidden West lives up to the standard set by the original release, though weaker GPUs with only 8GB of memory will struggle with high graphics settings and resolutions.
Best settings for Horizon Forbidden West PC

Read more