laptophuntA few minutes of checking before you buy, and an hour of testing when the laptop arrives, will catch most problems while you can still return it easily. Work through this list in order.
Before you buy
The seller, warranty and returns
- Check the seller is a business, and read its feedback, particularly recent negative comments.
- Note the warranty length and what it covers. Check whether the battery is included.
- Note the returns period and who pays return postage.
- Read the seller's definition of the grade. Our grades guide explains why this matters.
The listing details
- Specs: confirm the exact processor, RAM, storage type and screen. See how to check laptop specs.
- Battery: does the listing state battery health or a minimum capacity? If not, ask.
- Charger: is one included, is it original or generic, and is its wattage at least what the laptop maker specifies? A lower-wattage charger may charge slowly or not at all under load.
- Keyboard: is it a UK layout? The photos usually show this. A UK keyboard has a tall Enter key and a £ sign on the 3 key.
- Operating system: which version is installed, and does the listing say it is activated? For Windows, check the processor supports Windows 11.
- Photos: are they of the actual laptop, or stock images?
When it arrives
Do these checks straight away. Your return window starts on delivery, and our buyer rights guide explains the time limits.
Condition and contents
- Photograph the box and the laptop as it arrived.
- Compare the condition with the grade and photos in the listing.
- Check the charger is included and its wattage label matches what was described.
Setup, locks and management
- Firmware (BIOS) password: if the laptop asks for a password when it starts up, before Windows or macOS loads, contact the seller. You shouldn't need a password you weren't given.
- Company device management: many refurbished laptops were once owned by businesses. A Windows laptop still registered to an organisation's Windows Autopilot, or a Mac still enrolled with an organisation's device management, can show that organisation's sign-in page or a "Remote Management" screen during setup. Only the previous owner can release it, so report this to the seller rather than trying to work around it.
- Apple Activation Lock: on a Mac, you should be able to set it up with your own Apple Account without being asked for someone else's password. If you are, the previous owner hasn't removed it.
- Windows activation: go to Settings, System, Activation and check Windows shows as activated.
Battery health
On Windows, open Command Prompt and type:
powercfg /batteryreport
This saves an HTML battery report and tells you where it is. Open it and compare the design capacity with the full charge capacity. The closer they are, the healthier the battery. The report also shows the cycle count, where the laptop records it.
On a Mac laptop, choose Apple menu, System Settings, then Battery, and look at Battery Health. "Normal" is what you want; "Service recommended" means its ability to hold a charge is less than when it was new. Clicking the info button next to it shows more detail.
Also run the laptop on battery for a while doing normal tasks, and check it charges from the included charger.
Screen
- Display full-screen solid white, black, red, green and blue images and look for dead or stuck pixels.
- On a black screen in a dark room, look for uneven light around the edges.
- Check the hinge holds the screen steady, and test touch if it has a touchscreen.
Keyboard, trackpad and ports
- Type on every key, including function keys, and check the backlight if it has one.
- Test the trackpad, including clicking and scrolling.
- Try every port: USB, HDMI, audio and the card reader. Check each USB-C port that should support charging actually charges.
Wireless, camera and sound
- Connect to Wi-Fi and pair a Bluetooth device.
- Open the camera app to check the webcam, and make a short test recording to check the microphone.
- Play some audio through the speakers and headphone socket.
Storage and specs
- Confirm the processor and RAM match the listing (Windows: Settings, System, About; Mac: About This Mac).
- Check the storage capacity in Settings or Finder matches what you paid for.
- Many laptops have a built-in hardware diagnostic you can run from startup, and makers publish diagnostic tools. Running one is a quick way to check the drive, memory and battery.
If something is wrong
Contact the seller in writing straight away with photos or screenshots. Describe the problem and what you would like: a repair, replacement or refund. Keep the original listing and all messages. If the seller doesn't help, you still have legal rights.