How much does it cost to rent laptops? That all depends. Rental prices can vary greatly depending on your location, computer specifications, availability and the length of time you need the system. There's an abundance of reasons for choosing renting over buying a laptop. However, you'll want to crunch the numbers and make sure it is financially viable for your company first.

If you have the time, it doesn't hurt to shop around and compare prices on laptop computer rentals. Just make sure you're comparing the exact same service and model. Most laptop rental services offer competitive prices and some even offer discounts on multiple rental orders.

Consider the following information on pricing and costs of laptop rentals:

1. Make sure you get what you pay for. If you need Apple laptop rentals, don't settle for anything else.

2. Some laptop rental information indicates that the longer time period you rent, the better price break you'll get.

3. Due to the high demand for portable solutions, laptop rental prices are generally higher than rental prices for desktop computers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Request quotes for laptop rentals

Your needs will dictate what kind of laptop you will rent. Will you be traveling on business or do you need it for a trade show? How long will you need the laptop and how quickly do you need it shipped? All of those questions will determine how much you will pay. Basic corporate rates range from $150 per week, with higher costs for shorter term rentals and discounts for long-term arrangements. Get started by finding a quote online from various vendors.

I recommend: Browse the availability of different laptop models at Rentacomputer.com. You can find rates by clicking on the laptop you are interested in renting. Rentex will give you a quote through phone or e-mail or you can search for specific products on their website.

Add accessories to your laptop rental and the bill will add up, too

Consider your technical needs when it comes to renting a laptop. Plan ahead for those extras you may need, whether it's a mouse, extra cable cord or a boost in memory. Make sure the software you'll be using is compatible with the new hardware you rent.

I recommend: Need a memory upgrade? You can order that, too, through Expos4Products. Extension cables, speakers and adapters can all be added to your rental via Meeting Tomorrow.

Beware of other fees imposed on laptop computer rental

When it comes to laptop rental, must you pay shipping? Do you have to get insurance? What about a deposit? Is there a cancellation fee? All those extra fees can really add up. Make sure to budget for these type of expenditures so you don't come up short.

I recommend: Users can buy 12-month insurance from Instant Laptop Rental as part of the company's rental packages. Under the list of rates, you'll find shipping, deposit and other fees and even a cancellation policy from Tech Superpowers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Protect yourself with a notebook computer rental contract. Make sure all of the details about returning the laptop are covered as well as your rights and the company's rules. That way there are no surprises.

There are many good reasons to rent a laptop. For instance, laptop rental can come in handy if you have an offsite event that requires everyone to be online. In this instance, laptop rentals can provide the connectivity you need. For offsite training sessions, laptops can allow attendees to complete online testing. There are also times for personal laptop rental, including when:

1. You want to test a laptop before purchasing.
2. You need to travel and stay connected, but you don’t travel enough to justify the purchase of a laptop.
3. Your laptop is in the shop for repairs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Rent multiple laptops for training or events

Laptop rental is ideal for large events where you want everyone to have identical access and networking capabilities.

I recommend: Rush Computer Rentals provides laptop computer rental for conventions, training programs and special corporate projects. They offer professional on-site set-up and technical support.

When you need a laptop rental now

When your laptop is on the fritz and you need a laptop rental immediately, there are companies that provide same-day services in some cities and next-day service nationwide.

I recommend: Instant Laptop Rental provides overnight delivery, technical support, and allows you to rent a laptop for as little as one day. All Service Computer Rentals offers three-hour delivery of your laptop computer rental in New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Atlanta, Orlando, Ft Lauderdale and Los Angeles areas.

Find a cheap laptop rental

You might need a cheap laptop rental when you travel or periodically. Bargain shop for the best deal and don’t forget to add up shipping and insurance charges that are not always included in the price quote.

I recommend: Comparison shop with multiple quotes from BuyerZone.com. Look for a company like LaptopRent.com that offers free nationwide delivery and return service. Find the cheapest rental and then call Rentex.com. They offer to beat any laptop rental quote by 10 percent. Before you rent a laptop you also need to know what extra charges are added on, if delivery is included in price, and what insurance coverage you need. Find out the details of what to ask about laptop rental at Wisegeek.com.

Use computer laptop rental as a test drive

Another reason for laptop rental is to test out laptops that you are considering for purchase or to try a new brand of computer.

I recommend: Those Apple commercials make Apple and Mac computers seem user friendly, but if you aren’t sure if they are for you, try one out by renting an Apple laptop at iccrents.com or rentfusion.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don’t confuse renting with leasing. Renting is a short-term solution to provide equipment and has flexible options. Leasing is long-term with a contract commitment, and often leads to buying the computer.
• •  Ask about insurance coverage on your laptop rental. If it isn’t included, call your insurance agent and see if the laptop is covered under your existing homeowner’s insurance policy.
• •  Local computer stores and computer repair shops often offer laptop rental. If you need one immediately, this may be your best bet.

Many businesses, large and small, rent laptops for business travel, special events or even to fill an entire office. Laptop rental can be a real money saver for mid and small size businesses that can't afford the cost of stocking an entire office with laptops. If you're thinking about buying laptops for a group of office workers who frequently travel, or for your entire office to use at home, consider renting to save in overhead costs, maintenance and updating.

Once you've decided to rent laptops for the office or an event, saving money on laptop rentals is as easy as shopping around. Look for money saving options like low cost shipping, free set-up, maintenance and leases with options to buy or trade. Some costs may seem like more than you are willing to spend initially, but they may save you money in the long run when you are stuck with a laptop that just isn't cooperating. Begin saving today by:

1. Researching the best options when it comes to renting laptops.

2. Watching for hidden fees with laptop rentals.

3. Protecting your leased laptops once you've rented them.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research laptop rental options, costs and uses

Rental laptops are available as individual rentals or large-scale group rentals for offices or temporary events. If you're planning a rental for a tradeshow or convention, do some research and look for companies affiliated with the site where you will be. Some convention centers partner with rental companies to provide cheaper rates. If you are renting for an office or travel purposes, find rental companies that offer set-up and maintenance at little or no extra cost.

I recommend: Get laptop rental information at Wise Geek.

Watch out for hidden laptop rentals fees

Before signing a lease agreement, make sure you know the total rental costs including shipping and handling charges. Some of the larger national companies offer low or no cost shipping. Find out what software comes with the laptop to avoid additional costs down the road, and look for leases that include laptop insurance or make sure your current business insurance will put a rider in your current policy to cover the rentals.

I recommend: Rent a laptop computer from Laptoprent.com and get free UPS shipping, or rent a laptop from Smart Source for events. They have rental services located across the country that can provide fast delivery and set up for events. Enetech also provides nationwide laptop rental services for tradeshows, companies, training and much more.

Protect your notebook rental with insurance

First and foremost, make sure your rental is insured either through your own homeowner's or business insurance, or as part of the lease agreement from the rental company. If the company does offer insurance at a cost, make sure you aren't able to add a rider to your current insurance policy to cover the rental for free before you agree to pay for the rental insurance policy. Look for rental organizations that provide good laptop cases and other protection options your employees will need if traveling with their notebooks.

I recommend: ICC Rentals offers laptop computer rentals with optional insurance available. Rent Tech Solutions boasts excellent customer service to ensure you get the most out of your laptop rental.

Many businesses often have to rent laptops for a variety of reasons. The ebb and flow of a business means that an extra portable computer is often a life-saver for any temporary project or need. But how do you get the tools and laptops you need to get business done? Here are some basic ideas that renters need to pay a lot of attention to in order to make their rentals trouble-free and ensure functionality after the deal has gone down.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Trial run

For many laptop renters, renting a laptop computer is a kind of 'test drive' or 'trial run' to see how well a particular model works. Consider this when looking at laptop rental or purchase for a business.

I recommend: See more on using laptop rental as a trial run for a purchase at this Laptop Rental Guide.

Laptop rental insurance

When looking at a laptop computer rental, a business decision maker will also want to consider insurance for the computer, but as some point out, it can be cheaper to go with a generic insurance company (or one that a business already has a relationship with) than a specific rental agency's insurance policy, so shop around for laptop rental policy at its best rate.

I recommend: See more on getting the best rates on laptop insurance for computers from this page about insuring a laptop. Keep in mind most of this also applies to rentals. Find out typical laptop responsibilities at Rentex.

Laptop rental shipping fees and hidden fees

Some laptop rental agencies jack up the price of rental with shipping and other extraneous fees. A prospective renter will want to keep an eye on these to make sure they are getting a good deal.

I recommend: See more on shipping and hidden fees for laptop rental at WiseGEEK.

Operating system

For any laptop rental, an operating system is super-important. The operating system will determine whether you can share files, as well as how you can use the computer and what software works on it. Check out what operating system your laptop rental will be running to ensure it is compatible with your software programs.

I recommend: See a detailed guide to various operating systems at FreeByte.

Laptop battery life

Another big consideration is the battery life of the laptops that will be rented. There may not be a way to figure out exactly how long the battery will last, but checking the model with various rating resources can help, as well as making sure you have backup terminals in case the battery runs low.

I recommend: See information on laptop battery life at Geek.com.

Wireless capacity

Another very big issue with laptop rental is wireless connectivity. Almost any laptop can be connected to a wireless network, but many need a specific piece of hardware called a wireless network card. First, make sure your laptop rental will have internal wireless connectivity. Second, if it does not, ask about renting a network card. Third, make sure the network card is going to be fully operational and easy to use. Lesser quality network cards are often very problematic, so ask if you can test out wireless connectivity before you sign.

I recommend: Find more details on wireless laptop rental at A Laptop Blog, which is devoted to the laptop rental industry.