1- Know your needs first

Once you get the idea of ​​buying a used Laptop, you must first define your needs or what you will use the computer for, and its specifications must be identical and suitable for your use. Think about what kind of apps you are using, do you intend to use it outside without charging a lot or not, RAM size, storage requirements. Here is a quick introduction to laptop specifications according to different types of use:

Normal Use: Browse e-mail and the Internet, share pictures, use light office programs, read books. If this is what you want from a laptop, look for one that has a 2GB RAM and 1GHz processor.

Medium use: all of the above, in addition to downloading some light games, using advanced design programs and office programs, as well as watching movies smoothly. Is this what you need? Well, I go for a laptop that has 4 GB RAM and a 2 GHz processor.

Advanced use: all of the above, plus editing videos and photos, playing games with high graphics, and getting advanced features. In this case, the device's RAM should not be less than 8 GB and the processor speed is 4 GHz.

When you find the laptop that you want to buy, search for its type and model online, check the written reviews on websites or videos on YouTube about this device, and read people's opinions about it and its performance over a long period of time.

2- Verify the chassis and body of the laptop

A thorough examination of the body and exterior of the laptop is not negotiable. You will need to make sure that the body of the laptop is free from cracks or signs of collision, as cracks can result in the device being broken and easily disassembled with daily use. Also, check that there are no missing screws or any replaced parts. You should also take a look at the screen hinges and make sure that they are well tightened. Look for any other damages and make sure that the laptop is intact, or at least its faults are not exposed and clearly visible.

3- Check screen status

Since the screen is the only thing that you will look at while you use the device, you must make sure that the screen is in its best condition. Check whether there is flickering, color change, or brightness is low even at the level of 100% .. The most important thing is to know whether there are spots on the screen such as the Dead Pixels or the Stuck Pixels or not. Compare this with other laptops before purchasing.

4- Test the keyboard and the touch pad

The keyboard and touchpad are two of the most commonly used peripherals in any computer, so it is imperative to ensure that both are working properly or at least satisfactorily before purchasing a used laptop. Check for buttons that are not responding or act as other buttons (such as when pressing V appears O) and see if you feel comfortable when typing or not. If you make a lot of mistakes while typing, it might be a good idea to try another laptop. For the touchpad, check and try supported gestures and movements (ex. Zoom in / out images, two-finger scrolling, etc.). Also, check the mouse buttons (left and right) if they work or not.

5- Ports test and CD / DVD reader

Another important thing to check also before purchasing a used laptop is to try the USB ports, headphone / earphone port, Ethernet cable connection port, HDMI port, SD Card input slot, CD / DVD reader and other available ports. These ports are connected directly to the motherboard, so you must ensure that they are working properly because replacing them will be expensive.

6- Check the wireless connection of the laptop

No one needs a laptop that cannot connect to a Wi-Fi network, as what distinguishes the laptop is the ability to move easily without any obstacles, and therefore always connecting to the Internet via an Ethernet cable may make you lose this feature. So, before buying a used laptop, make sure that Wi-Fi is enabled and ask the seller to establish the connection by connecting to his network. Also, check whether the bluetooth is working or not, as it is required and has important uses in some cases.

7- Test the built-in webcam and speakers

Although they are devices that not many people use; However, it is still important and useful in various cases. These devices are the web camera, and the built-in speakers. Most laptop web cameras are of mediocre quality, but having a poor quality webcam is better than no camera at all, which means that you will not be able to make video, voice and video calls with others via Skype and others. As for the headphones, I think that many use earphones or headphones when using the laptop, but it is also advisable to know the extent of the sound that can be obtained from the speaker and to know whether the sounds are written or distorted.

8- Check battery condition

If you plan to use the laptop for a long time without connecting it to the charger, look for a laptop equipped with a lithium-ion Battery because it can last for long periods of time. However, most batteries have a minimum life of about 3 years, so the battery in the laptop you intend to buy may be old or weak. Unfortunately, the battery test cannot be completed in minutes - you will need to use it for a long time in order to see if it is good or not.

But you can get a rough idea of ​​how long the battery will last by heading to the power and battery management settings in the installed operating system to see the battery level and its condition. Also, make sure the battery is charging properly and does not drain power quickly. Otherwise, ask the seller for a discount so that you can get another new battery.