Used Laptop Buying Guide
What specs actually matter, what wears out, and how to test a second-hand laptop before you buy.
Laptops hold up well second-hand if you know what to look for.
Specs that matter
- RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB if you multitask or edit media.
- Storage: insist on an SSD, not a spinning hard drive.
- CPU: check the exact model and its release year — a newer mid-range chip beats an old high-end one.
What wears out
- Battery — ask for a battery health / cycle count report.
- Hinges, keyboard keys and the trackpad.
- Fans — listen for grinding and check it doesn't overheat under load.
Before paying
Boot into the OS (not just the BIOS), check the screen for backlight bleed and dead pixels, run a few minutes of video, and confirm it's been reset and signed out of all accounts.
Ready to buy or sell?