What to Ask When Buying a Used Laptop

Buying a used laptop generally has been severely stigmatized in the past few decades. Many myths about the durability, reliability, guarantee of the used laptops are often found perpetuating the market. But, when we look deeply, it can be easily discerned that most of these stigmas are unwarranted. And in the current scenario, the bad air encompassing used laptop is swiftly being driven away by the usually neglected but valid rationale behind purchasing them. Let us try to scrutinize certain precautionary steps that should be borne in mind while purchasing a used laptop.

Things to be considered when buying a used laptop:

The current scenario is famously called as computer age, as one cannot consider living a life without it. Laptops are very commonly being used by people but purchasing a pre-owned laptop may have its own perks and cons. Therefore, learning some precautionary steps may help you become battle-ready to buy your next latest and greatest product that won’t break down immediately.

Advantages:

• The savings:
Everybody cannot afford to buy a brand new expensive machine, so they prefer to buy used laptops. As nobody will call you smart for buying a new laptop for a higher price and lower specifications and no lookout for the reliability. On the other hand, the used laptop will allow you to save a lot of your hard-earned cash!

• The usage:
There is a possibility that you may not find each and every laptop model available for purchase but what or how you are going to use this laptop matters the most. This option is worth considering for those who intend to use it for studying or typing or even for general use. And if the laptop is for kids it will be best to buy used instead of a new one. Unless the kids are paying for it themselves.

• The convenience:
If any issue or problem arises with the used laptop, it can be easily remedied at the local service center of refurbished computer dealers like Digital Hospital and other such outlets. Moreover, repairing older laptops is usually simple as compared to new ones. Furthermore, used laptops generally come with expensive antivirus software installed by previous owner or refurbishing company.

• The trade-offs:
The most obvious aspect that you will have to face will be a trade-off when you decide to buy a used laptop over a new one. You will certainly be trading off the most recent model, improved battery, RAM, processing speed and latest graphics over the one you’ll be getting in the used device. But these trade-offs should be taken seriously when you are trying to balance between the savings and the actual product you are buying.

Used laptops may include the ones which were either leased, returned after the lease period or may include laptops whose EMI’s were not paid timely. Since most lease used laptops are business class equipment. In both cases the customer is ought to get the best system management as well as laptops in entirely brand new conditions due to minimal use. Both these cases will provide you with the best trade-off at greatly reduced price.

Disadvantages:

• No warranties:
Mostly proof of the original purchase of laptops is required to make a warranty claim. But some companies allow transferring the warranty to the second party which is not an easy process.

When buying a used laptop it is better to take a close look at the condition and make sure it doesn’t look like it’s going to fail the very next day.

• Unknown lifespan:
When you buy a device, nothing can’t be said about its longevity, but you can have some reasonable expectations. But when you buy a used device, you certainly don’t know what kind of wear and tear the device has gone through. It could last a few more days or years, there’s no way to know it.

• Bad device:
You never know whether the used laptop you’re buying is spyware or malware-free or not. Or something can be wrong with the main components of the laptop that are hardware and software. Further, good battery backup is a thing that surely can’t be detected in a day. So, no surety about the battery life of the used laptop. Therefore, these things should be pondered upon before buying a used laptop as you don’t know what the pros and cons the device might be carrying.

Read on How to buy a used camera gear.

Below are some helpful tips:

• Before buying a used laptop, the most important thing is to ask yourself what you are going to do with it. So that you can chalk out the device according to your need and can look for specifications accordingly like battery life, applications, RAM, CPU, etc.

• RAM is the main driving force behind the speed of laptop. So, it’s better to avoid purchasing a used laptop with less memory credentials, as it will hinder the smooth working of many latest programs and applications.

• The second most important aspect is to check the laptop body carefully. One must lookout for any cracks, missing screws or any other loopholes.

• The other most important aspect is to check the power source of the device aka the battery. It’s better to have an idea about the cost of battery replacement and spare AC adapter of the device you intend to buy.

• Customers must examine whether the Pre-loaded operating system is genuine or not and has all the rights to ask for original product keys of the used device while making a purchase.

• One must examine the peripherals of the laptop. Look out for the most used parts of laptop like keys of the keyboard, trackpad should be working smoothly; no purple haze emitted by the screen; check for a faulty hard drive and other available inputs like- USB port, SD card slot, etc. and test the speakers and webcam too.

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, we can say that one needs to be vigilant while purchasing a used laptop. Buying a brand new laptop is a great option but used laptop can also become your next great buy if you pay heed to all the pointers listed in this article.