20 things you need to know used laptops from uk
Need to buy a laptop? Why not consider buying a used one? You can make a big saving and get a fully functional laptop that caters to your needs. Here are 20 things that you need to know when buying used laptops from the UK.
- Make sure you are protected – Buy off trusted websites and try to pay with PayPal as that offers protection too. Never just transfer money.
- Compare prices – Check the price of the model you want both new and used. This allows you to make sure that you are getting a good deal.
- Look for any damage to the laptop - You should look for any damage to the body of the laptop. Check the hinges too. Surface marks are nothing to be concerned about but large dents could be.
- Have a look at the screen – Look for scratches or cracks. When the screen is on look for discoloration and flickering.
- Turn it on and listen – If there are weird noises such as grinding then this could mean the hard drive is on the way out.
- Try the trackpad and keyboard – You need to check for missing or sticky keys. Always try the mouse or trackpad too.
- Check speakers and webcams – If these are not working you may want to choose another laptop.
- Try the CD drive and ports – Check all USB ports, headphone jack, etc.
- Use the laptop – If you can try to use the laptop for around 20-30 minutes just to check that it runs smoothly.
- Check the battery – By using it you can also see the battery life. You should also go to battery settings to see the battery's health.
- Ask how old it is – Checks the age of the computer if it is about half a decade old, it may be better to choose a newer model.
- Ask how long they have had it – If you can ask the owner if they owned it from new. If they bought it used then there could be problems with it that they didn’t even know about.
- Have a look at the RAM – You should aim for 4GB otherwise the laptop can be slow.
- Is any software already installed? - Have a look at what software is included as some programs require payment and subscription.
- If buying off a person face to face is best – Meet in a safe place. You need to see and try the laptop before payment.
- Be aware – Scams happen often so protect yourself when buying used laptops from the UK by doing things like using PayPal or by buying from a store.
- Check software – Make sure software is genuine and ask for product keys.
- Try the wireless connectivity – Make sure that the laptop can connect to the Wi-Fi
- Check the Performance Monitor – If the CPU is running high in the Performance Monitor, then it can be a sign of a virus.
- See what version of Windows is installed – You should buy a device with Windows 10. A lower version will need upgrading and this can cost you.