Buying A Second-Hand Laptop? Keep These Things In Mind Second-hand laptops are a good option for those who cannot afford to buy a new one. They are a budget-friendly and practical solution for students because they are not as expensive as new ones. Such laptops can be used for studies, programming, etc., just like new ones. However, there are many aspects to consider when buying a second-hand laptop. Otherwise, the money can be wasted.
Let’s first discuss why to buy a second-hand laptop:
-Cheap alternative
Second-hand laptops cost half or even less than a new laptop. For example, if you have to spend Rs. 60,000 to buy a new laptop, you can get a good second-hand laptop for as little as Rs. 25-30,000.
-A good laptop can be bought
High-performance laptops are required for video editing, graphics design, programming, and web development. They are relatively expensive, but some people are selling such good devices second-hand while updating. If you find such laptops, they are very good.
-Environmental balance
From an environmental perspective, the production of new laptops increases e-waste and carbon footprint. However, reusing second-hand laptops also reduces e-waste, which is an important contribution to maintaining environmental balance.
Now let’s discuss what to pay attention to when buying a second-hand laptop:
-Hardware
Under this, you need to look at some things about the laptop. But if you miss out on these things, it can have a big impact. For example: If you are going to buy a second-hand laptop, it is suitable if the processor is Intel i3 or i5, AMD Ryzen 3 or 5 (Ryzen 3/5). RAM should also be at least 4 GB (recommended 8 GB) and ASD should be at least 256 (recommended 512 GB).
-Battery
If the battery itself is not good, then you will be disappointed later. Therefore, the battery is the main thing to pay attention to when buying a second-hand laptop. But what you need to remember is that there may be some problem with the battery of an old laptop. Because the life cycle of the battery has decreased. However, buying a laptop that lasts at least 2-3 hours is advisable.
-Screen and Ports
If the screen has scratches or damage or there is a problem with the display, it is better not to buy such a laptop. Because these things cause a lot of problems later. Similarly, make sure that input ports like USB, HDMI, and charging ports are working properly.
-Software license
Another important thing is to check the operating system. Whether it is Windows or Mac, is it installed correctly? Is the official software available? You should check this.
-Guarantee or return policy
Not many people offer this option. Even second-hand ones. But since it is an era of competition, some sellers may offer it. Try to find and select a seller with a guarantee or return policy as much as possible.
These are the main things to pay attention to. But apart from that, there are some other small things. For example, taking the bill/receipt is mandatory, buying only after testing it first, not buying just by looking online, not buying stolen laptops, keeping the seller’s contact details, etc.
Where to buy a second-hand laptop?
In some cases, friends you know can also sell second-hand laptops. But apart from that, you can also buy from a computer shop. If you are in Kathmandu, you can find second-hand laptop shops in areas like Naya Sadak, Baneshwor, and Putalisadak. On the online platform, you can find options like Hamro Bazaar, Facebook Marketplace, and some other e-commerce sites.
