What will I mostly be using this for? What programs will I use? How much storage space do I need? It may help to research if lots of people in your peer group have laptops. Parents often make decisions based on what’s happening in your social group.
Try looking at the refurbished or used laptops that brands and retailers sell for very reduced prices. [1] X Research source Create your own comparison chart of prices and features of several possible laptops, or find and print one from online to show your parents that you’ve given this a lot of thought and research. [2] X Research source
Try coming up with a specific goal that you can stick with and achieve. When you talk to your parents, you can say, “I’ll get a better grade in English next semester,” or something that you know could use improvement and that you think you can achieve. [3] X Research source
For school, think of how you could use a laptop to take notes (if allowed), to bring to study groups or tutoring, or to access online libraries and other reference resources. If you’re off to college in the near future, you can point out to your parents that you will need a laptop for notes, research, and to make video calls home![4] X Research source Some students actually do better in school with laptops if they have a very slow handwriting speed or other difficulty taking notes. If you struggle with this, use this in the argument you bring to your parents. [5] X Research source Sharing a good reason for wanting something might convince your parents to give it to you.
Show your parents that there are lots of educational resources for free online that you would be able access on a laptop and have more time and freedom to use than on a school or family computer. [6] X Research source
Try getting on the computer for only a half an hour at a time, or only when all your homework is done at the end of the day.
You can even create your own “contract” or agreement for whatever you offer in exchange for a laptop, so you can track your progress and let your parents hold you to your goals. [7] X Research source
Try asking like this: “Hey Mom and Dad, I’d really like to get a laptop of my own. I know I don’t have enough to pay for all of it right now, and I was hoping you could help me out and give me your permission to get one. I really appreciate the things you’ve bought or helped me buy in the past, and I think this will be something that’s useful to me and worth the money. "
If you’ve created a contract or agreement, you can have them make edits or additions and tell them you can all sign it when you’re in agreement, to make it official.
If their concern is the cost, talk to them about paying for part of it or paying them back over time. If they think you’re not old enough to have your own laptop, mention a friend your age who has one.
Try offering to match funds with your parents if you have some money saved. You can say, “I only have [x amount of money]. If I contributed that, would you be willing to pay the rest?”[8] X Research source
You might agree to only use the laptop in your living room while at home, only use it for schoolwork and internet instead of games, or another similar compromise. Also discuss any consequences there would or should be for losing or damaging a laptop. You could offer to pay for a durable case or cover to ensure it doesn’t get broken, or even chip in on insurance for it if your parents want to help you look into that option.
You can even say to them, “I just wanted to tell you all this now, but I don’t need a yes or no right away. Come back to me once you’ve had time to think it over. ”[9] X Research source If your parents do say no, accept their answer and don’t fight it. Show your maturity and let the subject drop for now. You can bring it up with them in a few weeks or months with a new angle or argument, or agree with them on a time that they might be more willing to consider your offer.
