Laptops are extremely expensive, and with the growing pandemic and millions of people working and studying online, they’re becoming increasingly difficult to come by. Should you consider buying a second hand laptop for your next purchase if your options for laptop selection or price (or both) are limited? We think buying secondhand is a great idea because it’s cost-effective, eco-friendly, and usually does the job just as well as buying new. However, buying a used computer comes with its own set of complexities and risks, which are amplified when it comes to a machine meant to travel.
Even yet, with some forethought and careful selection, you may get a great deal on a laptop something you’ll use for years. Let’s have a look at it.
A refurbished or new laptop may sound appealing if you want to get the most out of your next laptop purchase. While acquiring a used device, even from trustworthy dealers, carries some risk, we’ll share some useful recommendations to ensure you get a laptop you’ll love.
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What to choose? Used or refurbished?
Let’s discuss used and refurbished laptops before we go any further. “Used” refers to a laptop that has been handled by another end-user, who purchased the second hand laptop and then returned or sold it. A previously used laptop that has been fixed or somehow revitalized and is being resold by a store is referred to as “refurbished.”
Isn’t it simple? Unfortunately, this is not the case. Previously, the phrase “refurbished” meant that a computer had been returned to its original manufacturer, who had made any necessary repairs and certified it as functioning or as new. This usually meant that a refurbished laptop was virtually indistinguishable from a new laptop, with the exception of maybe less basic packaging and a 90-day guarantee rather than a year.
That isn’t always the case, though. The term “seller refurbished” has grown popular due to the prevalence of resellers. “Seller refurbished” refers to a second-hand item that has been tested and verified to work by the person selling it—this could indicate that it has been repaired or just booted up and verified to work.
The level of faith you have in the refurbished equipment is determined by who is selling it. Big-box stores are generally safe, but resellers on secondary markets such as eBay and Amazon are a little riskier. Refurbished laptops from sellers typically come with a short warranty (90 days) and a notice of any visual flaws, such as worn keys or a damaged top.
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Examine before buying a second hand laptop
Purchasing a secondhand laptop is a smart approach to save money while still getting a decent product. However, you should be aware of what to avoid.
1. Examine the body carefully
If you have the opportunity to view the laptop in person, a complete body examination is required. Make sure there are no cracks or traces of impact on the laptop frame. Also look for any missing screws, sagging hinges, or other anomalies.
Even if the laptop functions well, if it appears to have fallen too many times, you have no way of knowing what kind of internal damage it may have, which could reduce the laptop’s lifespan.
2. Examine the condition of the screen
The next critical step is to verify that the screen is in good working order. Flickering, discolouration, brightness, and faulty pixels are all things to look for.
Open a video and check the viewing angles to see if they are sufficient. Before you buy a laptop, compare it with others.
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3. Test the battery life
In most circumstances, you may not be able to perform a comprehensive battery check. Still, delving into the power management settings to see how much charge the battery can retain and the battery health status will give you a reasonable indication of how long the battery will last.
4. Examine the keyboard and trackpad
We all know that the keyboard and trackpad are the most frequently used components of computers. So, it’s essential to ensure that both are in good condition before buying a second hand laptop.
- Examine the keyboard for broken keys, pay attention to key travel, and see whether you’re comfortable typing on it. If you’re making a lot of mistakes, it might be a good idea to switch laptops.
- Check out the trackpad’s supported motions and give them a shot (such as pinch-to-zoom, two-finger scroll, three-finger swipe, etc.). If you have mouse keys, make sure they’re easy to use.
5. Check the Ports and CD/DVD Drive
Experiment with all of the USB ports, headphone jacks, Ethernet connectors, HDMI, SD card slots, and other inputs. Many of these are directly hooked up to the motherboard, which can be expensive to replace. Despite the fact that CDs and DVDs are no longer in use, many laptops still include a CD/DVD drive. Check to see whether it’s working.
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6. Examine the speakers and webcam.
The majority of laptop webcams are of poor quality. Even so, having a mediocre working camera is preferable to having none at all.
Although we doubt many people use their laptop speakers very often, it’s still wise to check how loud they can reach and whether sounds are muffled or distorted.
7. Don,t forget about wireless conectivity.
No one really wants a laptop that can’t access the internet, so make sure you can easily view and connect to Wi-Fi networks. Examine Bluetooth connectivity performance as well.
8. Ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.
Make sure you check the price of a used computer to the price of a new or refurbished comparable before making a purchase. If you plan to upgrade the hardware, do your research and compare pricing to see whether you’d be better off buying new.
It does not have to be difficult to purchase a secondhand laptop. You might potentially prevent making a purchase you will regret if you perform these easy tests.
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Perks of buying a second hand laptop
When it comes to purchasing a laptop, you have the option of purchasing a new one or purchasing a second hand. But it’s a used laptop, after all! You might be hesitant to buy a used laptop, just like others have been. What if it doesn’t work after a while? When you consider buying a used laptop, you may have a lot of other inquiries. Here are a few benefits of buying a second hand laptop.
1. Second hand laptops are reliable!
The first advantage of purchasing a second hand laptop is its dependability. Even though new laptops on the market have more functionality, that does not rule out the possibility of unexpected flaws. Only after the product has been used in the real world are the flaws obvious.
Furthermore, because used devices are thoroughly tested and checked, any bugs or problems may have already been discovered and corrected for you.
2. Second hand laptops contribute to long-term viability.
You must be aware of the effects of climate change on our planet. So, if you want to contribute to the environment’s long-term viability, buy a second hand laptop.
When you buy a secondhand laptop, you are saving the environment from dangerous chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
So, if sustainability is important to you, used laptops are a means for you to contribute to a brighter future.
Also read: Why Should You Choose Apple MacBook Air Over Any Laptop?
3. Second hand laptops are a great value for money
It’s not difficult to get low-cost knockoffs of high-end laptop brands. Even if these low-cost solutions are inexpensive, they may not suit all of your needs.
However, this is not the case with refurbished computers. They are thoroughly examined for optimal performance. As a result, there will be no difficulties with expectations not being met.
Similarly, second-hand laptops have all of the new features and characteristics of new laptops but at a lower cost.
4. Buying a second hand laptop is pocket-friendly
Second hand laptop is always a good deal from a financial standpoint. When you buy a second hand laptop, you receive all of the features for 20-30 per cent less than the original price.
These savings can enable you to achieve high-performance computing for a fraction of the cost of a new computer.
5. Second hand laptops require less maintenance
The process of configuring a new laptop might be difficult. Similarly, installing software, operating systems, and maintaining them can be tough.
When it comes to second hand laptops, however, the configuration and installation process is already completed. In the long run, maintenance costs will be low as well.
The bottom line
We understand that a new laptop is important to you, but with the rising cost of practically everything, individuals are looking for creative methods to save. When you buy second hand laptops, you are not only saving money but also gaining access to the benefits listed above.
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