Used laptop buying checklist

Before meeting the seller

• Confirm the exact model, CPU, RAM, storage and screen specification.
• Ask whether the device has been repaired, dropped or exposed to liquid.
• Ask for the charger and proof of ownership where appropriate.

Physical inspection

• Inspect the chassis, hinges, screws, rubber feet and ports.
• Look for battery swelling, especially around the trackpad or bottom cover.
• Check for keyboard shine, cracked keycaps and excessive hinge looseness.

Run browser tests

• Dead pixel test
• Keyboard test
• Webcam test
• Microphone test
• Speaker test
• Trackpad / mouse test

System-level checks

Use the operating system or manufacturer utilities to inspect battery health, storage SMART data, temperatures, BIOS/firmware locks and activation status. Browser tools cannot reliably read all of those values.

Before paying

• Restart the laptop at least once.
• Test Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, charging, headphone and display ports if important to you.
• Confirm there is no organization/MDM lock or firmware password that prevents normal ownership.
• Make sure the seller signs out of personal accounts and removes activation locks.