Ever been caught at that moment when you want to buy a laptop but you are low on budget and choose to go for a used one? Well, this can be as tricky as choosing a dish from an Italian restaurant but we are here to guide you. First of all, I would advise you to set down your needs and make up your mind to decide whether it’s a used laptop you need and the follow through the suggestions below.
The Laptop Operating System
Is it Mac or a Windows laptops laptop that you need? This will most likely be answered by the type of work and applications that you wish to run.
What is your budget?
After choosing the laptops operating system, you need now have a budget in mind. It is a very important aspect because the budget gives you what you deserve not just what you need.
Never walk into a computer gadget shop with an open budget, they literally have a computer for every budget. Walking in without one in mind will waste your time and trust me you will end up with a laptop of your budget, not of your choice.
The laptop use case
The most important part is to understand fully what you really need the computer for. This will determine the specifications of the computer you need, is it for gaming? Is it for a public address system? Is it for graphics designing, programming or you just want it for novice use? Some of these computers are better at one thing than the other, for example, AMD based laptops work better for a gaming freak, a graphic designer may need bigger RAM since their applications are heavier and probably an intel powered device, and an entertainer may need more space and so on and so forth.
Also, specifications matter
Come up with the specifications of what you need in terms of memory, size, color, processor, speed. This will save both you and the seller from wasting time browsing all the computers on the shelf.
Laptop’s general hardware look and feel
A thorough body check is non-negotiable and needs to be keenly done. You need to make sure the laptop frame is free from cracks and signs of impact. Also, check for missing screws, loose hinges, and any other irregularities. Check the HDMI ports, the USB ports, the charging ports and try them to make sure they are working properly.
You may also need to check the keyboard and the screen thoroughly since you don’t want to carry home a device that will misbehave in no time, given these devices in most cases do not have a clear warranty or return policy. The speakers and the webcam are essential too, don’t let the beauty of the clean laptop fool you.
The Laptop’s battery state
One last important aspect is the battery of the laptop. This is not something you should do in a hurry, take your time I repeat take your time to at least study the battery of the device for not less than two hours, looking for fluctuations and inconsistencies since failure to account for this will turn out to be your biggest regret. Most buyers tend to buy gadgets and speed off due to excitement. Don’t be that buyer!
After this, you can even check out our reading about how to make your battery last longer.
Other things to consider
Finally, after you have chosen a laptop specify the software you need to be installed to the seller. They can help you set up all these in most cases at no extra cost. You need not forget the common drivers too for functionalities like audio, wifi connectivity and many others. With all these done, wrap up your purchase with a good charger and you are good to go. Don’t forget to pick up a receipt.
