How to save money on tech items as costs rise with tariffs

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — If your student needs a new laptop for school, you might be facing higher tech prices due to President Trump’s recent tariffs.

Experts say that lower-income Americans will be the hardest hit by the president’s tariffs, which include a ten-percent baseline against most countries.

Higher additional tariffs against 60 countries are expected to go into effect Wednesday.

Analysts warn that the tariffs could trigger higher prices on most goods within one week.

Tech items like laptops and tablets are expected to become significantly more expensive as the current inventories decrease.

So if you’re in the market for a new laptop, there are a few things to keep in mind while shopping.

William Hein from RecycleTechs in Spokane Valley said a great option is to upgrade an old computer.

“A lot of people don’t realize their old computer might just be easy to upgrade, to the point where, even if it’s really slow, they can still get it up and operational and quite quick,” Hein said.

The company focuses on recycling technology that businesses no longer use, salvaging usable electronic components for reuse or refurbishment.

By avoiding the purchase of new parts affected by tariffs, RecycleTechs can offer lower prices.

“That helps us help other people save costs on the general accessories needed for running a computer,” Hein said.

Beyond computers, the company provides discounted equipment like headsets, speakers and mice.

For users with basic processing needs, Hein said older machines can be a cost-effective option.

“If you don’t have massive needs for your processing power, you can get away with a 5-10 year old machine potentially for writing documents or doing homework online. I’ve seen 11-year-old laptops that get on Zoom and have built-in webcams and they work just fine,” he said.