|
Nowadays laptops are much more durable and dependable that
they were even five years ago. Therefore, buying a used or refurbished laptop
is becoming more of a trend.
As brand replaces their laptops on average every 6 months
and companies frequently upgrade their equipment, buying a used or refurbished
laptop can save you a lot of money while still using a quite up to date
technology.
Before buying a used or refurbished notebook...
Buying a notebook is not at all an easy job, one has look
get detailed information of the available notebooks of good and reputed brands.
One must take into consideration the Size, Color (as per his will),
Configurations, features etc.
A notebook should be like your valet, flexible, very easy
to use, and much portable.
Your notebook should show your personality. You should
always keep in mind the reputation of the brand in the market. Brand counts a
lot; you can render good service by the manufacturer if your notebook is
damaged.
Important handy Tips before buying a notebook...
-
Verify if the brand is reputed and always buy a good
reputed brand. Read about customer service experience for that specific laptop
issues
-
Check the warranty/guarantee of the notebook (check for
the notebooks which still have warranty/guarantee remaining)
-
Is the battery life good? (search for the
notebooks with a very good battery backup).
-
Compare the price of the new model in the market with what price your buying
your used laptop, try to get the best bargain. I.e. a two years laptop
should not be bought for more than half of the original laptop.
-
Check if the notebook is not outdated (if outdated it is
difficult to get the spare parts of the notebook)
-
Is Windows one of the latest version (Windows
Vista/Windows Xp). Earlier versions probably run slow and would not be advisable
unless your needs are limited (i.e. web surfing, Word...). In any event stay
away with laptop running with Windows 98 (granted you don't find many
anymore).
-
Check if the configuration of the notebook you are buying
is good.
-
Check the speed of the processor. If possible start the
laptop and see how long it takes to fully turn on. The longer it takes the
slower it will get when you use it as well.
-
Check for the screen size of the notebook your buying and
see to it that it is not exceeding the Normal (normally the screen size should
be between 15-17 inches). Less than that generally translate in older laptops
and increases the chance of age failure. Once the screen breaks, you are often
better of changing the whole laptop
-
Review the connectivity of the notebook look to it that it
has a good connectivity including wireless
-
Check the weight of the notebook see to it that it is
light in weight and easy to carry.
Where to buy used laptops:
-
Online auctions. Pro: Often offer the best prices. Cons:
Cannot validate the accuracy of the described item. No warranty
-
Online marketplaces: Pro: Set prices and quantities -
Sometime warranty is available. Cons: Prices can vary a lot, do your homework
-
Craiglist.com IT gives you a chance to meet with the
owner and physically check the laptop before the purchase
Where to buy refurbished laptops:
Refurbished laptops can be a great way to buy as they have
warranties and are generally sold by manufacturers or companies affiliated with
them.
-
Manufacturers websites will tell you how to buy directly
from them or from their authorized sellers. Pros: Warranty, established
companies. Cons: Prices are higher than regular auctions
Buying a used or refurbished notebook can be a great way to
save money if you use some of the advices discussed above. One last thing, make
sure you have a good bag to protect your laptop from a fatal accident. Your bag
should be big enough for a 17 inch screen notebook as it is rapidly becoming the
norm, you will probably change your laptop within a few years, the bag you may
keep a lot longer.
Good Buy!
More information also available at Dave Krauss buying computer guide.
|
