You must have come across articles telling you things to put into consideration before buying any laptop, what most of these articles fail to do is let you know what you need to check before buying any used laptop.

This is only meant for those who have decide to go for used laptop due to the increase in price of a new laptop, you are not allowed to test a new system unless you've paid for it,unlike a used laptop.

If you've decide to buy a used laptop and still don't know what to look out for before giving the seller your money, then this post will put you through all the necessary things you need to check before purchasing.


I believe you must have known the purpose of going for a laptop, choosen your brand type, know the best configuration suituatable to you and budget for the laptop.

1. CHECK THE USED LAPTOP SCREEN AND FLEX


The screen is one of the important part of the laptop,it is fragile and can get broken easily.
Apart from that there are other things that can damage the screen.

You need to watch out for dents, burn in, white dots and inner stains that can never be removed, if you noticed any of this in the screen of the used laptop, you can easily tell the seller to help change it.

The flex which is also call signal cable connect the screen to the motherboard, without this flex the laptop screen will not display any character, to check if the flex is working well, bend the laptop hinges forward and backward for like 3-5 times.

If you notice any reddish sign on screen, or screen goes blank then the signal cable is faulty, also note that screen going blank can also be a faulty screen.


2. EXAMINE THE LAPTOP CARCASS AND HINGES


The fact that you're buying a used laptop doesn't mean the carcass should be bad, look out for any body dent or broken parts before purchasing, also make sure the hinges is not loosen or broken as it might damage the screen or the down carcass on the long run.

3. CHECK ALL THE USB PORTS AND CHARGING PORT


It's adviceable you check all the USB port of the laptop you intend to buy, to test the USB port, an external keyboard or external mouse is the best option to use.

Connect the external keyboard to the ports and click the window key or caplock button, if the responsd on the laptop then you're good to go, also make sure the USB 3.0 is driven in other for you to test it too.

The charging port is also important, connect the charger and make sure it's not shaking.

4. LOOK OUT FOR BAD KEYBOARD


Whether you want to use your laptop for graphic design, programming or chatting, you'll need a keyboard to perform this task.

Also read
List of HP service centers in Nigeria

In other to make sure the keyboard is working fine ,search for notepad and press all the keys in the on the keyboard to confirm they are working, also check the function keys too expecially the boot menu and set up key.

5. ALL DRIVERS MUST BE DRIVEN


Drivers act as a translator between the operating system and the hardware, without the drivers being installad built in device like UBS 3.0, Wi-Fi, touchpad and bluetooth will not work.

You can easily check is the drivers are not yet installed by following this steps:

a. Press the windows + E button
b. System properties
c. Device manager

Look out for any yellow sign, if there's is any then that part is not get driven.

6. OBSERVE THE BATTERY LIFE


This one of the thing some people fail to observe when buying a used laptop, the backup of a system is very important, test the battery by playing a music or quickly watch a 20-25min movie to see how fast it drop.

Connect a charger and make sure the battery percentage increases and it's "plug in charging".
If you see "battery not detected or pluging not charging" then request for another battery.

Note that "plug in not charging" might be the charger fault or motherboard, that's why it's adviceable you test the charging.

7. ASK FOR A GOOD CHARGER,CHORD AND INVOICE


The reason most laptop get damage is due to bad charger, when the charger get burnt it will affect the charging IC of the laptop and in some cases damage the motherboard which may result to buying a new motherboard or laptop.

Always ask for original charger in other to avoid unnecessary stories.

I have seen a situation where, an invoice is written without the serial number of the laptop, just writing the laptop configuration or seeing the office address is not enough, the serial number of the laptop is very important.

Make sure it is written on the invoice ,and it is correct.
You can locate the serial number at the back of the laptop, inside the battery compartment or setup menu.

CONCLUSION

Buying a used laptop doesn't mean you shouldn't go for the best, after all it's your hard earn money, it's advicable you check out for all the above listed points before handling over your money to the seller.

If you've bought a used system before, you can kindly share your experience with us in the comment box for others to learn from it too.

http://udemzytech..com/2016/10/how-to-test-used-laptop-before-purchasing.html

udemzy101:


http://udemzytech..com/2016/10/how-to-test-used-laptop-before-purchasing.html

Excellent topic!! I'd just like to add 2 points

Screen : Check for dead LCD pixels using this link and follow the instructions. It's a red screen and dead pixels will show as black dots- http://www.checkpixels.com/ ( can be used on smartphones too)

Battery: You can create a battery report in Windows by doing the following an example of report below
a. Hit Windows Button + X and select Command Prompt (Admin). This is the quickest way to open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
b. Type in and enter: powercfg /batteryreport ( report saved at C:\Windows\system32\battery-report.html)
c. Open the Battery report HTML file to view it.

AKBliv010:


Excellent topic!! I'd just like to add 2 points

Screen : Check for dead LCD pixels using this link and follow the instructions. It's a red screen and dead pixels will show as black dots- http://www.checkpixels.com/ ( can be used on smartphones too)

Battery: You can create a battery report in Windows by doing the following an example of report below
a. Hit Windows Button + X and select Command Prompt (Admin). This is the quickest way to open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
b. Type in and enter: powercfg /batteryreport ( report saved at C:\Windows\system32\battery-report.html)
c. Open the Battery report HTML file to view it.

cool...nice one sir

Great work,informative

correct!

nothing like new tho.. you can comfortably run 5 yrs no real headache with a new product.

pomide:
correct!

nothing like new tho.. you can comfortably run 5 yrs no real headache with a new product.

I bought my Logitech PC speaker used in 2004 and they still work till now...and I've owned the 2nd gen iPod which I bought new in 2003 from Apple with 1year warranty which died after 18months.

So my friend everything na gamble...my advise is be informed so you can choose a good used product if one can't afford new.

As a rule of thumb, the quality in a product can be gauged by how many years the manufacturer can guarantee their product should be defect free.

pomide:
correct!

nothing like new tho.. you can comfortably run 5 yrs no real headache with a new product.

seriously, presently some people prefer going for used..

1. cos it has stand the test of time

2. affordable


Most of this new laptop are not build to last long, any light issue it is gone...

To me, I see no difference between used and new, even people prefer used MOBO to new MOBO..

A new laptop can develop fault that same day u purchase it, many people go for new laptop just because they want a new laptop... that's all


Talking about warranty, there's nothing like warranty .. ur lappy spoil, u go join money collect another one or wait till the one you bought is repaired

udemzy101:


Talking about warranty, there's nothing like warranty .. ur lappy spoil, u go join money collect another one or wait till the one you bought is repaired

So if you buy an Apple laptop new from GLO Ikeja Mall and 2days later it's faulty, you can't go back to the Apple store to have it repaired or replaced for free?

AKBliv010:


So if you buy an Apple laptop new from GLO Ikeja Mall and 2days later it's faulty, you can't go back to the Apple store to have it repaired or replaced for free?

I don't know about Apple, but when it comes to other brand, I'm talking from experience..


These service centers can be very funny, sometimes you'll wait for months just to get ur laptop repaired

Nice one OP. Wonderful points you made there. Though it depends on the buyers budget. Some just want a cheap laptop whether fully functional or not.

pls, who have any idea of how much a London used dell will cost me?

youngsahito:
pls, who have any idea of how much a London used dell will cost me?

Bro there are so many models available either you give a specific model or state what your budget is.

Good evening Boss in d house, please i need a laptop that can handle gta V my budget is 90-100k please kindly recommend one for me, God bless you.

computerboy:
Nice one OP. Wonderful points you made there. Though it depends on the buyers budget. Some just want a cheap laptop whether fully functional or not.

yeah.. some buyers don't care about cam, neatness as far as its going to deliver... no problem.

youngsahito:
pls, who have any idea of how much a London used dell will cost me?

It all depends on the model...

steric58:
Good evening Boss in d house, please i need a laptop that can handle gta V my budget is 90-100k please kindly recommend one for me, God bless you.

Reply this please am also interested in it, BTW hp is more preferable

BlueWizAngel:

Reply this please am also interested in it, BTW hp is more preferable

a laptop with 1TB, 8-16GB RAM and 2GB dedicated...

lol budget 180-220k + in this present change..


dollar is high, laptop are scarce cos the exchange rate is high and clearing the goods is high too, the available system are sold at high price.

BlueWizAngel:

Reply this please am also interested in it, BTW hp is more preferable

Rush and get this from Sellfish. Whenever my items arrives, I always sell these types even before listing them here
https://www.nairaland.com/3439887/hp-15-2gig-nvidia-dedicated

With dollar scarcity and banks blocking cards, the next set of laptops coming from this month won't be budget friendly.

Sadly am not comfortable with the processor speed, and I think I av a thing for corei7

Do u av any hp envy dv6, or something like this

12GB ram.......well 8 wouldn't b so bad
 1TB Hard disk......am not particular about hard disk size though, just something ok
 Intel core i7
 2point processor speed
 1GB NVidia Graphics Memory @least
 Backlit Keyboard

BlueWizAngel:
Sadly am not comfortable with the processor speed, and I think I av a thing for corei7

Do u av any hp envy dv6, or something like this

12GB ram.......well 8 wouldn't b so bad
 1TB Hard disk......am not particular about hard disk size though, just something ok
 Intel core i7
 2point processor speed
 1GB NVidia Graphics Memory @least
 Backlit Keyboard

what's your budget?

AKBliv010:


Bro there are so many models available either you give a specific model or state what your budget is.

can I get a London used one around 30 to 35

youngsahito:
can I get a London used one around 30 to 35

sure

udemzy101:


what's your budget?

I need to know the one u have first my budget is reasonable.

BlueWizAngel:


I need to know the one u have first my budget is reasonable.

2GB dedicated
core i7
keyboard light
touch screen

1TB, 8GB RAM

Asus
#190,000

I'll modify to show the pic

Back to the topic..

concerning the charging port, it's also advice able you charge the laptop and make sure the battery percentage increases..

A friend bought a sleek laptop, what spoil it was the charging port, at first he returned it to the seller, they thought it was the battery or faulty charging port ,both didn't work only for them to find out out it was from the motherboard.


so, make sure the battery percentage increase, even if it's 100%, use it to 95% then charge it there and make sure it increase to 100%.

I repeat, dont believe everything the seller tells you whether he is your brother or not, just make sure you confirm things yourself.

youngsahito:
can I get a London used one around 30 to 35

Just to put this into perspective, N35k is roughly equivalent to £70...

https://uk.webuy.com/product.php?sku=SLAPASUX101CH7B#.WBsbefqLS00

You are better off with a china andriod tablet than this laptop trust me.

AKBliv010:

Just to put this into perspective, N35k is roughly equivalent to £70...

https://uk.webuy.com/product.php?sku=SLAPASUX101CH7B#.WBsbefqLS00

You are better off with a china andriod tablet than this laptop trust me.

youngsahito:
can I get a London used one around 30 to 35

Compaq nc6400



#35

quote me if you're interested, I'll send you the pic, it's clean

udemzy101:


2GB dedicated
core i7
keyboard light
touch screen

1TB, 8GB RAM

Asus
#190,000

I'll modify to show the pic

Baba sorry o na me find trouble what can I get with 110k

Good evening house, Pls I want to buy a new laptop and my budget is #75000. Pls I want to know which brand to purchase as I have never bought any laptop before. Pls I need opinions.

avaprincipal:
Good evening house, Pls I want to buy a new laptop and my budget is #75000. Pls I want to know which brand to purchase as I have never bought any laptop before. Pls I need opinions.

Add #10,000 to the money...


you will hardly see even Pentium brand new for that price, except AMD laptops.

laptops are very expensive now, I'll drop price list for you tomorrow.