Your Guide to Buying Second-Hand Laptops

How much does a brand-new laptop cost? From a lower range of Rs. 25k-30k to a medium range of Rs. 50k-60, to an upper range of Rs. 1 lakh and above: based on your choice, the cost of buying a laptop varies. There would be differences in features and specifications, too. For instance, what you can expect in a high-end laptop, you may not be able to get at a lower price. So, what is the solution? Buying a second-hand laptop. 

Second-hand laptops or refurbished laptops have become quite popular and have been in high demand in the last couple of years. They allow you to enjoy specifications that you may otherwise not get access to at a budget-friendly price. The important part is to ensure quality and functionality before you make a purchase. 

Are you planning to buy a second-hand laptop? Read ahead.

How to buy a second-hand laptop in India?

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you with a second-hand laptop purchase. 

1. Use a renowned online marketplace

This is one of the most important steps to follow when purchasing a second-hand laptop. You will get resellers everywhere but a laptop is a long-term commitment and an investment. Thus, make sure that you purchase it from a credible marketplace such as OLX. 

This ensures that laptop listings are authentic and verified and you can trust the reseller for receiving a quality second-hand laptop in your budget. 

2. Check for damage on the laptop body

It is always better to check the laptop in person to see if there is any wear and tear. This means checking for any possible scratches or cracks on the outside. Also, check if any parts are missing from the laptop. 

The laptop you purchase should be free from any such damages because while you can check the exteriors, you do not know the reason for such damages and it may have caused internal damage as well. 

3. Watch out for keyboard functionality 

You need to check whether the keyboard as well as the trackpad are in working condition. These are integral parts of a laptop and thus you should not compromise on the same. 

Make sure all the keys are intact. To check their functionality, try typing using each key. Also, check the trackpad using a two-finger scroll, pinch-to-zoom, three-finger swipe, and more. 

4. Check the display screen 

A laptop with any damage to the display screen should be avoided. For this you can check for issues in brightness, flickering, dead pixels, colour tone, and more. 

You can also play different formats of videos such as YouTube videos, streaming platforms, etc. to see if the output is satisfactory or not. Also, check this from different angles to get an understanding of the overall functionality. 

5. Evaluate the ports

When buying a second-hand laptop, you must check different ports such as USB ports, Ethernet ports, headphone slots, SD card slots, etc. They should be in working condition. 

If the laptop comes with a DVD or CD Drive, test that too. Yes, the usage of this drive has worn off over the years, but if the laptop has it, you should check it. Along with that, check each slot as it will help you negotiate a good price. 

6. Check the audio and video quality 

Almost all modern laptops offer built-in cameras, which you should check before buying. While not everyone needs a webcam, it is still a good parameter to understand the quality of the laptop. 

Along with that, you should also check the audio quality of the laptop. Try playing music, shows, and more at different volumes and sound settings to get an idea if the laptop is worth purchasing. 

7. Battery health is important 

This is a crucial part when buying second-hand laptops or any laptop for that matter. To check the battery life, you can put the laptop on charge for say 15-30 minutes and use it. If the battery drainage is fast, the laptop is not a good buy. Also, make sure that the laptop has its original charger and battery. 

Whether you are buying a Windows laptop or a MacBook, both offer battery health checks which you can use to make a decision on a second-hand laptop purchase. The overall battery life should be somewhat similar to a brand-new laptop. 

8. Check the functionality of the wireless connection

What good is a laptop if you cannot connect it to Wi-Fi? Whether you are buying a second-hand laptop for your work or for study, you will need an internet connection. 

Thus, this is a must-have feature and you need to check it. Along with Wi-Fi, check for Bluetooth too. This is essential to connect your laptop to a phone, speaker, projector, etc.

9. Decide on RAM usage 

RAM decides how the overall laptop would function. The higher the RAM, the smoother the function and performance of your laptop. Not everybody needs a laptop with 16GB or 32GB of RAM. The size of RAM depends on your needs. For example, for study purposes, 8GB RAM can be enough. 

Thus, based on what you need in the long run, you can make a decision here. Also, check if the laptop supports RAM extensions in case you need it. 

10. Negotiate a price 

Now that you have checked everything, compare prices of different second-hand laptops based on the brand and the model chosen and offer the seller a deal. If the laptop lacks any functionality such as required RAM, check how much it would cost for an upgrade and make an offer based on that. 

You can also negotiate a deal based on wear and tear such as minor cracks or a port not working. If it doesn’t fit your budget, do not worry–there are plenty of fish in the sea. 

Conclusion

Buying a second-hand laptop can save you money but you need to thoroughly check the laptop’s functionality to turn this purchase into an investment. To purchase second-hand laptops within your budget and needs, OLX offers you numerous listings. The key is to research well and make an informed decision based on your preferences.