According to one TikTok user , the millennial habit of making major purchases on a laptop rather than on a phone could help you save money.
“Purchasing major items on a laptop instead of a phone can indeed help save money for several reasons,” said Dennis Shirshikov, head of growth at GoSummer . “Firstly, the larger screen and more robust interface of a laptop allow for more thorough research and comparison shopping. When making significant purchases, it’s crucial to explore all options, read reviews, and compare prices across different retailers.”
He added that the convenience of a laptop makes this process more manageable and less prone to oversight than the limited interface of a smartphone.
Below are some more reasons why you should take a millennials’ lead and only use your laptop or desktop computer for major purchases .
On a laptop, you are more likely to open multiple tabs to compare products and prices simultaneously, ensuring you get the best deal. Additionally, laptops often have more comprehensive tools for applying discount codes, finding coupons and using cashback websites.
“For example, browser extensions like Honey or Rakuten can automatically apply the best coupon codes and offer cashback deals, features that are less accessible or functional on mobile devices,” said Shirshikov.
David L. Blain, CFA and chief executive officer at BlueSky Wealth Adv isors, highlighted the same.
“When shopping on a laptop, you have a larger screen with more details which allows you to compare multiple options side by side. This can help you find lower prices and make more informed choices,” he said.
Another aspect is the psychological effect of the purchasing environment.
“The act of shopping on a laptop, often from a stable location like home or office, tends to be more deliberate and less impulsive,” said Shirshikov.
The more transient nature of smartphone usage, on the other hand, can lead to quicker, less thought-out decisions. “The deliberate process on a laptop provides a natural buffer, encouraging more thoughtful and measured spending habits,” he added.
Phones Limit Necessary Information
Making major purchases on a phone comes with several disadvantages that can affect both the financial and practical aspects of shopping. “Firstly, the smaller screen size of a phone limits the amount of information a user can view at once,” Shirshikov explained.
This constraint, he added, makes it harder to compare products side-by-side, read detailed reviews, and fully evaluate the features and benefits of an item. “This limited view can lead to missing out on important details or better deals available elsewhere.”
Blain agreed, saying, “Using a phone to make a big purchase is very limiting. The small screen hides important details and makes it difficult to compare prices from different retailers.”
He added that impulse buying is more likely since the limited information leads to less thoughtful decision-making. In many cases, better deals and lower prices can be found with a little more research on a laptop.
“For example, a client was about to purchase a $3,000 treadmill on her phone. After discussing her options, we spent 30 minutes researching different models and retailers on a laptop,” Blain explained. “We found the exact same treadmill for $500 less at another store and also found a higher quality model for only $200 more. By taking the time to research on a bigger screen, she saved money and ended up with a better product.”
Phones Encourage Impulsive Buying
According to Shirshikov, mobile websites and shopping apps are often optimized for quick and easy transactions. While convenient, this can encourage impulsive buying.
“The streamlined checkout processes on mobile platforms are designed to minimize friction, but this ease can result in less critical evaluation before finalizing a purchase.”
For example, you might quickly add items to the cart and proceed to checkout without taking the time to compare prices or search for discount codes.
Shopping on Phones Poses More Security Concerns
“Security is another concern,” said Shirshikov.
Although mobile payment systems have advanced significantly, he said they still carry risks. “Phones are more susceptible to being lost or stolen, and while this doesn’t directly impact the transaction process, it can pose a risk if sensitive information is saved on the device.”
Moreover, he said that entering payment information on a small screen can lead to errors, which might not only complicate the purchase but also lead to potential financial discrepancies.
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