Advancements and innovations in technology have led to a boom in the computer industry in recent time. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see many professionals who can’t operate without the computer. Although due to portability and upgradability most users nowadays prefer Laptops to desktop computers, you will still find either one or both in many homes and offices.

What if you need a computer system desperately but due to a limited budget, you can’t afford a brand new one? Going for a decent, fairly used laptop/computer may not be a bad choice. However, buying a laptop is quite different from buying other things in the market because it could be tricky if you do not know where or what to look at while shopping. The fact that a used laptop does not usually come with a warranty technically makes the process of choosing one, very important.

Although price, budget and the buyer’s specific needs all play crucial roles in one’s choice of a computer, there are a few vital things to look out for or note when shopping for a used computer system. A few of them are discussed below:-

The Body/ Frame
The quality of the case and chassis should be non-negotiable. Carefully check the case for any sign of impact and cracks which can lead to disintegration. Are there irregularities like incomplete screws or loose hinges? Check and re-check!

The Screen
Thoroughly inspect the screen. Make sure you do not end up with one whose brightness is at best, uneven. Try to avoid any flickering screen which may be due to a bad back light or damaged connections. Look out for white spots on the screen caused by stuck pixels which may be difficult to fix.

It will also be wise to open a video to see the width of the viewing angles.

 Keyboard and Trackpad 
As the most used components of a computer, the keyboard and trackpad need to be in top condition. Look out for broken keys and be sure you are fully comfortable typing on the keyboard. A keypad which causes you to make numerous mistakes is a no-no!

Also, ensure that the trackpad supports gestures you may need like three-finger swipe and two-finger scroll. If mouse keys are available, check to see if you can easily press them.

Ports and CD Drive
There are a few parts of the laptop that is pretty difficult to replace like the Ethernet ports, USB ports, CD/DVD drive etc; hence, it is necessary to try them out before paying.

Battery
Although it may be difficult to thoroughly check the strength of the battery, you should get an insight about how long it can last. Scroll to the power management settings of the operating system to find out the amount of charge the battery can withstand and the general status of the battery.

Ensure you are getting a battery which charges perfectly and does not drain quickly to avoid spending extra money to replace the battery.

RAM
Because it plays a crucial role on how fast your computer/laptop is, the size of the RAM is something you cannot ignore. Ideally, a minimum of 4GB RAM should give you a wonderful performance. You should also check the available memory slots to see if you can upgrade the RAM to your specific needs in future.

Software
Have a look at the software licenses of the computer system and make sure you have access to the product keys. Try to confirm the genuineness of the loaded operating system and request for the master software CDs and recovery CDs if possible

Be Street smart and Lookout for a Great Deal!

Always try to compare the asking price of a used laptop with that of the brand new one and other computers to be sure it is not a rip-off. You must make sure you won’t be better off getting a brand new one.

The major step, however, is to know your needs and minimum requirements for a computer. Identifying what you need and using the above tips as a guide should put you on the right path when shopping for a used computer/laptop.

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