Tips in buying used laptop?

[Boy Torotot]

Can you guys advise on any tips on buying a used laptop? Any diagnostic softwares or particular tests i should do/use for the processor, screen, battery, harddisk, memory, etc that you would recommend to use? Aside from the visual inspection? Thanks!

[mazdamazda]

may discussion na ganito na sa gadgets.ph (formerly ebuyncell.com)

http://www.gadgets.ph/tech/showthread.php?t=553

[Boy Torotot]

thanks. yup, been through the link. though nothing was discussed really on specifics of what tests to make and what diagnostic softwares to use.

[IIE]

check the processor, speed, hardisk, performance, age of used,... software to follow. but i recommend get new one...

[badkuk]

imho the more vulnerable parts would be the hard drive and the cd drive

[nicolodeon]

Well, there are actually two...classifications for a "used" laptop: used and refurbished. Yung mga refurbished, those are the ones you can get from stores like HMR. Most of the time, refurbushed laptops:

1. Still have warranties
2. Are certified that it is still fit to be sold
3. Worn out/damaged/non-functional parts are replaced
4. Checks and replacements done by "certified professionals"

The most important thing to check for when buying a used laptop is upgradeability:

a. can you upgrade the processor?
b. can you upgrade/add memory?
c. can you replace the HDD?
d. can worn-out/damaged/non-functional parts be replaced?

You should also be able to get from the owner a complete history of the laptop e.g. upgrades, repairs, purchase date, average usage, etc.

You also first need to determine what you would use the laptop for and what apps you would install. You might get a laptop that becomes a lemon when you install and run graphic-intensive, memory-intensivr and processor-intensive applications.

[nicolodeon]

Aside from what badkuk said, these are the "vulnerable parts" of a laptop

1. LCD
2. keyboard
3. touchpad
4. PCMCIA slot
5. The "hinges" that connect the body and the LCD
6. The front locking mechanism
7. the DC-in port.

[nicolodeon]

If you're getting a used laptop from somebody who got it abroad, ask if the unit as a world-wide warranty. If so, get the warranty card, call the warranty-provided on the car and ask them to..."transfer ownership" from the previous owner to you - naka record kasi ito for world-wide warranties.

[mantoy]

as a laptop user, nakaka-tatalong unit na ko at ang palaging nasisira eh yung hinges connecting the lcd montior to the body. yun ang una mo i-check kung ok pa. imo, bast walang bad sector sa hd at ok pa cd drive eh ok na yan. secondary na lang ang processor kasi you wouldn't expect it to be the latest (as in fastest).

[rayana]

my 2-cents:

1. do the burn-in test. if u purchase a new/2nd-hand pc/laptop...after booting up..let it stay on for at least 24 hours straight (more is better)! most of the 'weak' or 'troublesome' components of the unit will most likely conk out doing this. and if it does, soli mo na lang.
note: be sure to turn-off/disable any screensaver, powersave or similar programs

2. check the available no. of RAM (eg if the previous owner says 256mb of RAM, then it should be 256mb !!!).

3. test the keyboard keys. all keys should be working when pressed.

4. test the battery's condition. after full-charging the battery, disconnect from the main. check the battery charge (in hours/mins). use the laptop normally (do not re-connect the a/c). see how fast does the battery discharge. if it falls from say 100% to 50 percent after only a few minutes, then the battery condition is not good.

5. check the hard disk for errors (eg bad sector). listen if the hd makes noises (eg scratching/screeching sound)

6. check disk drives, cd drive - insert any good diskette/cd on the drive. try to access the disk/cd. it should be able to read the diskette/cd. on the diskette. try to copy any file (eg txt file) from your hard disk into the diskette. if file is copied to the diskette, try opening the file on the diskette.

7. check the modem - attach a phoneline and try to dial-up to an ISP

8. check USB - attach any device (eg mouse, printer, webcam)

9. soundcard - attach a speaker, headset, microphone. check if they are working.

be sure to get all the accessories, manuals, installers etc.
ask for the administrator's password (for the OS and BIOS).

hth.

[Boy Torotot]

thanks guys for all the inputs! would have been nice if i can afford a brand new one and forego all these hassles oh well... i'm still scouting around the locally posted ads around the net for a good deal, and would take note of all your valuable inputs.

[j_avonni]

I bought a used laptop - a Samsung, for P8,000 only. Too bad, it lasted for 6 months only.

[woulfe27]

DON'T buy a used laptop. Yan ang tip ko.

[dx8976]

a major factor i use when looking for a laptop is battery life.
because i dont want to be lugging around he adaptor, etc. battery life is important to me. as rayana said, check the battery. a new battery can cost upwards of 2k. there seems to be little point in having a laptop if you have to bring so many accessories with you. if it is going to be holding important files, you may want to get a new hd as well. laptop hds take a lot of pounding kung hindi minahal ng previous owner.

[j_avonni]

DON'T buy a used laptop. Yan ang tip ko.

Your tip is right! I opted for a used laptop, kasi ang gumamit ay ang anak kong estudyante for her projects. So, kahit na mawala ay hindi gaanong masakit sa kalooban.

For my own use, its a brand new laptop - a Toshiba Satellite.