What To Look Out For When Buying A Second-Hand Laptop

Grace Murphy is an experienced reviewer and journalist dedicated to sharing updates from throughout the business market, as well as reviews on the products and services you want to hear about. Small businesses across the corporate market have relied on her insight and knowledge to drive them forward for years. Read on to find the latest reviews and updates that could make all the difference to your business.

Technology moves at a breath-taking pace, and for those who want to keep up with the latest trends there’s a hefty price to pay.

One way to reduce the cost of your gadgetry and still enjoy some of the latest technologies and functions is to buy second-hand products.

So, for those consumers looking for a new laptop to carry around with them and use for studying, working and just having fun, a used product could be a great option to give you the specifications you want at a reduced price. There are risks involved in buying second-hand laptops, however, which is why I’ve put together this guide on how you can easily find a machine that is a good investment without being a computer expert.

Assess What You Need From Your New Laptop

Before you start searching for your new laptop, you need to work out what you need from it. Think about how often you’ll be using it and what you’ll be doing on it. This will help you to decide what software and functions you need it to have, and which are merely advantages. Make a list of the vital components you need your new laptop to have and the ones you’d just like so that you know what you’re looking for when you start searching.

Pick The Model You Want

Once you’ve worked out what you want from your new laptop, you need to find a model that you’d like. As you’re going to be buying your computer second-hand, it’s best if you select a couple of laptops that you’d like just in case you can’t find your ideal machine on the used laptop market in the condition you want it in. Read reviews of the models you’re considering so that you can learn more about how they perform and if they’ll be reliable enough to suit your needs.

Search A Range Of Second-Hand Dealers

When you start looking for your new laptop you need to explore a range of different platforms. As well as looking at the offerings of private sellers on sites like eBay, Gumtree and Amazon, try companies that specialise in buying old laptops and refurbishing them, as these firms will often give you a guarantee and better quality products.

Review The Sellers, Not Just The Laptops

Buying a laptop, even a used one, can be a big investment, so it’s important that you not only find the make and model you want, but that you also find a reliable seller. Having found the product you want to buy, it’s important that you review the seller and find out more about their track record. If they have repeated bad feedback on the platform they sell on or are a company with low customer satisfaction on online review platforms, then look elsewhere. It’s important that you find someone to sell you the laptop you want who will be reliable and won’t sell you a damaged machine or do anything to hack your laptop after you’ve taken it home.

Check All Of The Functions

Always inspect your new laptop before you commit to buying it so that you’re certain that it’s the one you want and is of the quality you expect. Check the body of the laptop, as well as the connections and ports to see if they work properly. You should also look at the screen, assess the battery life and open any functions and software solutions that are important to you so that you know that they definitely work properly. The keyboard and trackpad are also vital parts of the laptop, so inspect them visually and test them out before you buy your used laptop.

Only Haggle If You Think It’s Worth It

Haggling to get a reduced price is a unique skill, and one well-worth practicing if and when you get the chance, but if the pre-owned laptop you’ve decided on is already a good deal then there’s no point. You’ll only annoy the seller and lose your chance to buy the laptop you want. If, however, you feel that the price is a little steep, then try to reduce it by negotiating with the seller. Larger companies that refurbish laptops often won’t respond to this approach, but private sellers might be amenable if you go about it the right way. Make sure that you lay out a convincing case for why the laptop is worth the price you’re willing to pay for it and give a justification for your reduced price. Be polite and make it clear that you’re interested, so even if the bargaining doesn’t work, they still respect you and want to work with you. They may offer you a reduced price that’s not as low as the one you originally asked for, but is still slightly cheaper than they originally quoted, meaning you’ll still get a good deal.