Purchasing a used laptop might be an excellent way to save money, but it also has risks. There might be security issues, whether the previous user is careful about security or not. They might accidentally leave risky software or unsuitable files on the device. So, you must be cautious when deciding to buy a used laptop. Things you should check before purchasing a used laptop are listed below.
Secure Way To Make A Purchase
Laptops are expensive devices, so you might want to ensure that you are purchasing safely. For this sake, sites like Amazon and eBay are safe for you to buy. They offer protection policies for buyers. Therefore, it is good to find a good laptop by searching for refurbished models directly from the manufacturer on Amazon. As refurbished models come back to the company where they were checked out, cleaned up, and refreshed, they are often available with a warranty. If you can’t find a refurbished laptop from the manufacturer, you can also consider buying from a local store that you know and trust. The difference is that a used laptop might not come with the same warranty as a refurbished laptop from a manufacturer. If you cannot find a good deal for a used laptop, you can consider an individual seller, but you must be careful. Moreover, You should try not to pay for a used laptop by bank transfer because it will be hard to recover once you make the payment.
Things To Consider While Buying A Used Laptop
- Examine The Laptop Body
You get to inspect the laptop body you want to purchase to ensure that it is free from cracks and damage. For example, you might check its crews, hinges, or other irregularities. If the laptop’s condition looks like it dropped one or two times, then look for another option keeping in mind that there might be some internal damage that might shorten the laptop lifespan.
- Check The Screen’s Condition
Next, check the condition of the laptop screen for any flickering, discoloration, brightness, and lousy pixel issues. Finally, you might test its video quality and compare it with other laptops before purchasing.
- Try Out The Keyboard And Trackpad
Ensure that the keyboard and trackpad are working in good condition as they are the most used parts of laptops. For example, you might check its keys, whether it is typing correctly or not. You might also check the trackpad gestures, i.e., pinch to zoom, two fingers scrolling, three-finger swipe, etc.
- Assess The Ports And Drive
You might check all USB ports, HDMI, headphone jacks, ethernet ports, sd card slots, and other available inputs. It will be favorable to check because laptop repair costs will be high as these ports are linked directly to the motherboard. You might also check whether the DVD drive is functional or not.
- Test Wifi Connectivity
There might be no problem with wifi connection. Therefore, make sure you can connect to wifi with convenience.
- Inspect Speakers And Webcam
Check to see whether the webcam is working or not. Also, check the quality of its speaker to make sure its sound doesn’t get distorted.
- Test The Battery Health
It will be good to check the battery health by going into the power management settings of the installed OS. Also, make sure the battery charges appropriately and does drain too fast to avoid regretting later.
- Test Software
It is good to carry out a few software checks to see whether the operating system is genuine. In addition, it is good to ask for original software CDs, recovery CDs, drivers, and backup media that come with the laptop.
- Ensure A Good Deal
Before committing a purchase for a used laptop, compare its quoted price with the price of its new or refurbished model to better decide whether to purchase a new or refurbished one.
By following these simple checks, you will be able to make a good purchase decision. Therefore, be cautious, have patience and use common sense. That way, you will be able to find a reliable and affordable laptop.
