Although it's nice to
have a shiny brand new laptop straight out of the box, but not everyone can
afford to get one. And that's when going for a fairly used laptop is the only
realistic option you have.
To reduce the risk of
having a bad purchase, here are some tips that may serve as your guide on what
to check for before purchasing a second-hand laptop.
1.
Know Your Needs
Before making any sort of purchase, it is important for you to
know what you will be using the computer for and buy something that matches
your needs. Think about the sort of applications you will need, how portable
you need your laptop to be, battery life, RAM, and storage requirements.
When you spot a laptop that you want to buy, search for the make
and model online and print out its specifications to find out if it matches
with the product you're about to purchase. Another thing you need to take into
consideration before buying one, check for reviews online and see what people
are saying about the laptop and its performance over a long period of time.
2.
Inspect the Laptop Body
A thorough body check is non-negotiable. Make sure that the
frame of the laptop you're eyeing to buy is free from cracks and any signs of
impact. Also, check for any missing screws, loose hinges, and any other forms of
irregularities.
3.
Check the Screen's Condition
The next important step is to make sure that the laptop's screen
is in good working condition. Check for any dead pixel, flickering,
discoloration, as well as the brightness controls if it's still working properly.
4.
Test the Keyboard and Trackpad
The keyboard and the trackpad are the most used parts of a
laptop, so it's necessary for you to make a thorough checkup on these as well.
Here are some additional tips:
·
Check for any broken keys, pay close attention to key travel,
and see if you feel comfortable typing with the keyboard. If you're making too
many mistakes, then you might want to check out other laptops.
·
Check what gestures are supported by the trackpad and then try
them out (such as pinch-to-zoom, two-finger scroll, three-finger swipe, etc.).
If mouse keys are present, make sure that they're easy to press.
5.
Check the Battery's Condition
In most cases, you may not be able to perform a thorough check
when it comes to the battery's health. However, you can still get a rough idea
of how long the battery lasts by going into the laptop's power management
settings of the installed OS to see how much charge the battery can hold as
well as the battery health status.
Another thing is, make sure the battery charges properly and
doesn't drain too fast. Otherwise, you can ask for a discount so you can get a
replacement for the battery in case it wears out soon.
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