Buying Used Laptops Made as Easy as 1-2-3

Monday, March 16, 2009

By Jed Jenson

Computers and laptops are almost considered as a necessity nowadays. There are no doubts that it really helps us to go on with some of our daily needs such as doing work, studying, and other leisure activities like internet surfing. Trends and features of these devices change quickly because of hardware and software upgrades. But only few people really need to cope with these changes. Most users only need basic laptop functionalities such as word processing. Thus, purchase of brand-new and top-of-the-line laptop is impractical. More often than not, most consumers opt in buying used laptops.

There are some advantages in purchasing used laptop over a new one, and on top of the list is cost. Used laptop is obviously cheaper compared with their brand-new counterparts. Buyers can have the same model for a price pretty way below their original market price. Next, buyers can look for the features that they need, and secure their unit for a certain warranty. However, caution should be taken for the consequence of a cheaper unit is the tendency of getting faulty or non-working item. Remember that laptop repair can sometimes costs the same amount as compared with buying a new one. Here are some tips to consider when buying second-hand laptops.

Decide on the desired type of used laptop. While used laptop basically refers to a previously owned item and is sold as-is, there is also the refurbished laptop that buyers may want to consider. Refurbished laptop means thorough testing, condition check-up, and upgrades are done to the laptop prior to selling. Buyers should choose between the two very carefully because each comes with their own risk.

Assess the minimum laptop characteristic needed. Some users are born computer gamers, while some simply use it for work or for study. Buyers should know their reasons in buying laptops and from it, determine the minimum laptop characteristics that they need. For example, buyers should identify first where and how he will use the unit. Determining this is the secret in grabbing the most suitable unit from the market.

Go and shop in the right place. Buyers are given three possible places in shopping for used laptops. These are online stores, dealers, and manufacturers. Online stores can be the most convenient among the choices. But the possibility of dealing with frauds and swindlers comes with the convenience offered by online sites. To keep them away from the goal of getting the best possible laptop, buyers are highly encouraged to check who they are dealing with. Profiles of each seller in an online store are usually viewable to the public. Buyers can also comment their experiences with certain sellers and this information will be included in the profile of the seller. Dealers and manufacturers do not provide the same convenience with online stores and always offer higher prices. What they have is product warranty and technical services that most online store cannot provide.

Choose the desired laptop model. Choosing the most appropriate model from the vast selection available in the market can be done correctly by considering the features and functionalities needed by the consumer. Consumers that focus on productivity can choose laptop models with high processor speed and good connectivity. Meanwhile, consumers that focus on entertainment should choose models with audio and video enhancements.

Check for defects. Though internal defects can be difficult to check, it is advisable to at least check for physical defects. Minor problems such as loose hinge, shallow scratches, or unclear keyboard markings are negligible for some customer. But monitor defects should be taken seriously because repair for this might be very expensive.

Ensure proper power connection and adequate cooling system. Power cord is basically plugged and unplugged from the laptop every now and then, causing the power port to wear out faster. One way to check on this problem is to connect the power cord on its corresponding jack, then slightly shake the plug in a left-right and up-down manner to see if the power indicator will flash on and off. Power problem issue can be indicated by power indicators flashing on and off, and by rapid decrease in battery charge. Aside from power issues, consumers should check the cooling system of the laptop. Excessive heat can cause internal electronic component to have a shorter life span, resulting to problems in laptop performance.

Check the accessories. It is a good practice to check the accessories included in the used laptop package. This should be done to avoid compatibility issues in accessories and the laptop. Always remember that usage of incompatible peripherals such as batteries and connectors can damage the laptop.

Final step is to ask help from others. It is a good idea to get a second opinion from other people or better yet, ask someone who is knowledgeable in computers to help in sorting things out. Some store also offer technical service to ensure quality operating condition for each used laptop.

If the buyer is somewhat techie, buying used laptop can be done in a breeze and sometimes serve as a source of fun. But for most of us, it is simply a mean of getting the laptop that we always wanted for a cheaper price. Ordinary buyers and techies as well should always ponder on the things that need to be checked and assessed before buying used laptops. - 20764

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