What is the exact model?
Ask for photos of the model or serial number and system specifications screen. Compare them with the advert later.
Productcheck 02
Buying a used
laptop .
A laptop may look tidy while hiding a worn battery, flickering screen or firmware password. Test beyond the desktop.
01Batterycheck its health
✓Specificationsmust match
Take your timeLet the laptop run for at least fifteen minutes
Bring alongEmpty USB drive, headphones and phone
Pay particular attention toBattery, screen, heat and locks
Before you leave
Ask these questions first.
Ask for the exact model before meeting. 'Core i7' or 'MacBook Pro' is not enough: year, memory and storage make a big difference.
Has anything been repaired?
Ask about drops, moisture, replacement screen, battery, keyboard or storage, and repair receipts.
How has the battery been used?
Frequent plugged-in use is not automatically bad, but ask about battery health, charge cycles and rapid drain.
Why is it being sold?
The answer should fit age, condition and price. Ask whether charger, receipt and any warranty are included.
The most underestimated expense
Battery and cooling
reveal a lot.
A short demonstration hides heat problems and a weak battery. Run the laptop both on battery and plugged in.
Open battery information
Check built-in battery health and charge cycles if available. Service or replacement warnings are a clear pricing risk.
Look for deformation
A bulging base, raised touchpad or poorly fitting case can indicate a swollen battery. Stop testing if you see this.
Listen to the fan
A fan can be audible under load, but constant whining, rattling or immediately running at full speed needs investigation.
Test the correct charger
Check cable, plug and charging status. An underpowered or incompatible charger may charge slowly and struggle under load.
Inspect the whole product
Six components to test every time.
Screen
Use light and dark backgrounds. Look for dead pixels, marks, lines, flickering and discoloured edges.
Keyboard & touchpad
Try every key, clicking, dragging and multitouch. Check lighting and special function keys too.
Hinges & casing
Open the screen slowly. Hinges should move evenly without cracking, play or pulling the casing apart.
Ports
Test charging, USB, audio and video output if possible. Check connections are not bent, loose or dirty.
Storage & memory
Check storage capacity and RAM against the advert. Watch for storage warnings and unexpected slowness.
Camera, sound & network
Test webcam, microphone, speakers, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. A missing driver may also hide a fault.
The function test
Start cold and keep testing.
Ask the seller not to warm it up beforehand. A cold start reveals more about startup, storage and cooling.
- 01
Restart fully
Restart and watch for errors, odd beeps, a lingering logo or a password before the operating system loads.
- 02
Check the system
Compare processor, memory, storage and graphics chip with the advert. Check the operating system is activated normally.
- 03
Run several tasks
Play video, open several tabs and copy a test file. Watch for freezing, shutdowns, heat and fan noise.
- 04
Test unplugged
Disconnect the charger for a while. Battery percentage should not plunge unexpectedly and the laptop should not immediately shut down.
!
Do not buy if...
Four reasons to walk away.
- 01The laptop has a BIOS, firmware or unknown administrator password.
- 02The casing or touchpad bulges, possibly indicating a swollen battery.
- 03Model, serial number or specifications differ from the advert.
- 04The seller refuses restarting, account removal or normal function tests.
Checking mode
Tick off points during
your viewing.
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0 van 12
points checked
Your progressTake your time with the list. Seeing a laptop start is not a full test.
This buying check helps you inspect carefully but does not replace professional diagnosis. If unsure about an expensive laptop, consult a repairer.