Guide to Buying a Used Laptop: Tips & Money-Saving Hacks

 Photo Credit : Designer

Guide to Buying a Used Laptop

Buying a used laptop is a clever way to save cash, especially in today's market, where new laptops and gadgets are becoming increasingly pricey. While newer models may offer faster performance and more features, we'll share some expert tips and tricks to help you buy a used laptop like a pro, saving you some extra cash from your budget.

 Photo Credit : Designer

                                            

First, you need to determine what type of Laptop you need. Do you need something professional or just for primary use? Do you need something for robust use, like high-end gaming or video editing, or for essential daily use? What size do you prefer? What brand are you loyal to? What about your budget? How long you will use it? Do you need to carry it somewhere else, or will it sit on the table for a long time? Ask yourself those questions and set your purchase's primary model and budget.

Now that you have decided and are determined to purchase a used laptop, we are here to share some of the hacks, tools, and methods for choosing the best-used Laptop in proper condition.

What do you need to check before purchasing any used laptop?

1. Age.
2. CPU Condition
3. Battery Condition.
4. RAM Performance.
5. Storage Condition.
6. Display Condition.
7. Speaker performance.
8. Keyboard and Touchpad Condition.
9. Condition of the Webcam and Ports.
10. Final Visual Inspection

 

 

1. Age: Purchasing a laptop over 5 years old is not recommended. For older models, you may lose the latest features and software updates. Some of the OS also stops updating for older-generation CPUs. But it may be exempt on need and budget. However, defining the laptop age is vital for better negotiations. Defining a Laptop age varies from brand to brand. But we recommend you check the laptop warranty status from the brand's website and determine its age. You may need the laptop serial number or build number to verify from the website to do the task.

 

Go to Command Prompt with Administrator access to get the laptop serial number and write it down.

 

WMIC BIOS GET SERIALNUMBER

 

To get the build number, Go to RUN, Write MSINFO32, and check the System SKU for the build number.

 

Here are the links for Popular Laptop Brand Warranty status links.

• HP
• DELL
• MSI
• ASUS

 

 

2. CPU Condition: The CPU condition is one of the critical factors in determining the system's current condition. You have already determined which CPU you will need to do the job. But we always recommend you purchase something optimum and a step ahead with a used Laptop. A simple way to determine the CPU condition is to use a task manager.

 

Go to Run and Write TASKMGR, go to Performance Tab, and check the graph for idle conditions. How much does it consume in an idle situation? But in that case, you should check the system's background processes and other tasks. In idle conditions, they should be under 25-30%; it will depend on the CPU model and number of cores.

Another way to determine the CPU's condition is to use benchmark tools and compare the numbers with those of a similar CPU. Note that the benchmark score depends on CPU performance, the condition of the Laptop, and some external factors like room temperature, dust lingering on the fan, and dried-out thermal paste applied to the CPU. But a little drop may be considerable as a great bargain.

Here are some Free CPU benchmark Tools.

CPU Expert, Silverbench

 

 

3. Battery Condition: Knowing the battery condition of your used Laptop is one of the critical facts. You may negotiate the unit price based on the battery's health.  Replacing laptop battery costs may vary from model to model. To know your battery health, go to the command prompt with administrator access and type  POWERCFG /BATTERYREPORT /OUTPUT "C:\battery-report.html."

 

The report is in the ROOT of C: drive. Now, observe the battery capacity history. You will find the designed capacity compared to the actual capacity. The exact capacity could be lower than the design capacity, and you may negotiate with the seller based on that report.

 

4. RAM condition: RAM is also a vital fact. First, when purchasing a used laptop, you must check whether the RAM is replaceable or has been pasted with the board. We are only recommending a used laptop where the RAM is replaceable. To check the RAM performance, go to TASK Manager and check the RAM consumption during the idle period. The graph highly depends on the RAM type and its BUS Speed. DDR4 RAM is better than the Same amount of DDR3 RAM; check those facts and negotiate with the seller regarding it. FYI, Your PC won't boot up if there is any damaged RAM.

 

 5. Storage Condition: There are few tools over the internet to check the storage condition. Check whether the Laptop is equipped with a new-generation SSD or not. If it is fitted with the SSD, try a Tool Crystal Disk Info to monitor the SSD's health. In the case of an HDD, try Hard Disk Sentinel to check the current health of the HDD. FYI, SSD is a lot faster than older tech HDD. You may also check if the Laptop has an HDD and whether it has a dedicated SSD slot. If you have only an HDD slot, you may replace the HDD with an SSD by spending little money and effort.

 

6. Display Condition: To verify the display condition, you may clean the display with the recommended cleaner and check for scratches and spots. Then, you may play the Pixel Test Video in full screen to verify whether there are any dead pixels.

 

7. Speaker Test: Most modern Laptops have built-in speakers, and the importance of that depends on your task. But having a good speaker may enhance your satisfaction level. Dead speakers are symptoms of board damage and rough use of the system, and replacing them is not a wise decision due to the higher price and labor cost.  Play a 4D YouTube video to test whether all the speakers work if your chosen PC has multiple speakers.

 

8. Keyboard and Touchpad condition: When purchasing a Laptop, you must check the keyboard and touchpad condition. You can check it online at no cost with the KEYBOARD TEST.

 

Depending on the dead key, you may negotiate the unit price of the Laptop. In the case of a Backlit keyboard, you should also check the keyboard's light. You should also check the touch sensitivity of the touchpad by ensuring the correct driver is installed.

 

9. Condition of the Webcam and other ports: Most modern laptops have a webcam and multiple ports. You may check the Webcam online from Webcam Cheker and bargain based on the condition. For other ports, your Laptop might have many Ports like Charging Ports, USD Ports, HDMI Ports, Card readers, and 3.5mm Headphone Jack. Don't hesitate to check the ports when buying a used laptop. To ensure the best performance, remember to clean up dust and linters and check each port randomly to verify it's working.

 

10. Visual Inspection: Here, you have to visually check the Laptop, claim for the scratches and wear off, check each screw carefully, and ensure the warranty sticker is intact to ensure it has never been opened if the Laptop is less than 2 years old Laptop. More than 2 years used Laptop might be open for thermal paste replacement or cleaning up dust and linters for optimum performance. In that case, you should ask the seller why it has been opened and whether it has a service log. If it has been serviced, ask the seller about the technician, whether from a brand-authorized service center or a local shop.

 

Congratulations! You have checked all the vital elements for purchasing a used laptop.

Considering all the factors, you may ask the seller for better negotiation, but remember to check the Laptop's price when that was brand new.

 

Best of Luck for your chosen product.

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