The desktop computers we have at home/office probably serve our every need, and to our complete satisfaction. However, a mere business trip or a new, temporary employee may create a new requirement. A very simple solution available these days is renting a laptop.

Why Rent?

Most people would not think of renting a laptop as an advantage. Granted, it has its share of disadvantages- over the long term you may land up paying rent which in aggregate could be higher than the purchase price of the laptop. In fact, for those who use the laptop on an every-day and long-term basis, purchasing a laptop may easily be a more prudent choice. However, the advantages of renting for a short-term requirement are overwhelming.

Advantages of Renting a Laptop:

– You can rent it either for a short-term / long-term period, as per your requirements.

– You will have no worries about technology advances.

– The laptop will be freshly configured; therefore there will be no viruses/ malware.

– The laptop will be fully updated.

– Repairs will not be your liability as they will be covered in the rental agreement.

– You can switch laptops as per your needs, for instance, if you have Windows XP and now require Windows Vista.

– You don’t have the risk involved in losing vital personal data in case of theft.

Options Available:

Most companies have three renting options: Short-term rentals, long-term rentals and rent-to-own rentals:

1. Short-term rentals: These are rentals for a short period of time, as per your needs. Most companies have a minimum period of rent, such as two to four weeks. This is ideal for people making a few short business trips in a year, or who are in urgent need of an extra laptop for increased work, or who simply need access to a particular technology for a particular period of time.

2. Long-term rentals: These rentals are for a longer period of time, ranging between a few months to a year. This is a good option for people temporarily hiring a new employee, or for one semester in college, etc.

3. Rent-To-Own: In rent-to-own programs, you rent the laptop for a specified period until you can pay the full price, much like a loan/ down-payment system. This option is perfect for those who could not get immediate access to credit, or whose laptop suddenly crashed, etc. At the end of the period of rent, which is generally for about 90 days, the laptop can be purchased on payment of the remainder of the price and a rent-to-own fee.

Conclusion:

Purchasing laptops, though much cheaper than they were earlier, still burn a pretty deep hole in your pocket than the expected budget. For all the investment, they usually become obsolete in a span of a few years. Renting a laptop is a very feasible option for those facing the sudden need for one. This practical solution which meets your requirements without too much trouble or too much expense is definitely worth trying out.

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