Buying a used laptop

A used laptop is an excellent deal if you know what to check. Define your need first: office use is very different from design or gaming.

Decide the specs you need

The CPU (generation matters more than the number), RAM (8GB is a comfortable minimum), and storage type (SSD is far faster than HDD). A dedicated graphics card matters only for design and gaming.

Technical checks when viewing

• Power it on and confirm it boots quickly (a sign of a healthy SSD).
• Test the keyboard, trackpad, and all ports (USB, HDMI).
• Inspect the screen on a white then black background for dead pixels and stains.
• Play a video for a while and watch the temperature and fan noise.

Battery and screen

Ask about battery age and how long it lasts per charge — replacement is costly. Make sure the screen hinge is firm and the frame is free of cracks or drop marks.

OS and warranty

Confirm the operating system is genuine and the device isn't tied to a previous account or a BIOS password. Ask about remaining warranty, the box, and the original charger — a non-original charger can harm the battery.