EverydayIntermediate
Buying a laptop in English
Everyday English for buying a laptop. Key line: “Hi, could you help me choose a laptop?”
Full script
Lin
Hi, could you help me choose a laptop?
Them
Sure. What do you mainly use it for?
Lin
Mostly work, video calls, and something light to carry.
Them
Got it. Do you want a bigger screen or more battery?
Lin
More battery, please. My charger and I need some space.
Them
Fair enough. What's your budget, and do you need storage?
Lin
Around eight hundred, and enough space for one tiny game.
Them
Right—one tiny game, and your charger gets space too.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Help
✓ Could you help me choose a laptop?Ask staff to help you choose
Natural way to start in a store
Use
✓ What do you mainly use it for?Ask about the main use
Talk about use before specs
Budget
✓ What's your budget?Ask the price range
Very common to ask this directly
Storage
✓ enough space for one tiny gameSay you need a little extra storage
space can mean storage too
Quick answers
Help: what to say in English
Say “Could you help me choose a laptop?” — ask staff to help you choose. Natural way to start in a store.
Use: what to say in English
Say “What do you mainly use it for?” — ask about the main use. Talk about use before specs.
Budget: what to say in English
Say “What's your budget?” — ask the price range. Very common to ask this directly.
Storage: what to say in English
Say “enough space for one tiny game” — say you need a little extra storage. space can mean storage too.