What to Look for When Buying a Used HP Laptop?

Wintershere · Jul 30, 2014

I'm trying to compile a list of the most important things to look for when
selected a used laptop. I need/want an HP...

Here's what one computer savvy gentleman told me... Is there anything you think I should add? Or do you have any other suggestions?

If you plan to store music and videos or photos then you need plenty of storage (hard disk space) - 500 gigabytes (GB) or more. Do not confuse hard disk storage with RAM, see below.

RAM (memory) - at least four 4 gigabytes of RAM - The more RAM, the more programs you can have open at once.

If you want to connect to the Internet you will either need a wireless card (wifi) for wireless access to the Internet or an Ethernet port for wired access. Make sure the laptop includes built in wifi.

Operating system - most likely Windows but make sure is Windows 7 or 8. Do not buy a Windows XP computer, they are no longer supported by Microsoft.

CPU - This one is probably the trickiest, especially if the CPU is an AMD
If its an Intel CPU, then make sure it has at least an i3. From slower to faster -> i3, i5, i7. The faster the CPU, the better, but it will be more expensive of course.

Make sure that the system was factory reset, that it only includes the operating system and maybe a simple antivirus. Try to run a virus scan before committing to purchase.

Check battery levels on the laptop. Unplug the power cord and let it run only with the battery. Check the battery capacity. This is not a deal breaker but be ready to invest in a new battery if the current one is not working at full performance.

If you watch DVD movies, check if the laptop includes a DVD optical drive and test it by playing a movie. Also try to bring a music CD to test.

Confirm that the operating system was activated. If the OS has a an invalid or illegal product key, it will become limited (useless) in a few days. Do not purchase without validating this.

Ask for the operating system product key in case you need to re-install the operating system in the future. Do not purchase without having the product key.

I hope I'm not overstaying my welcome by asking 3 questions in a row, but I'm in a bit of a rush to find an affordable computer (which I assume would be a used one,if I want affordable).

iceblitzed · Jul 30, 2014

your right on those points. you can check battery capacity specifically with a program called hwmonitor @ http

/www.cpuid.com/downloads/hwmonitor/1.25.zip

however what makes you choose an HP laptop. Why not other brands

Wintershere · Jul 30, 2014

Hi, @iceblitzed. Thanks for the reply

I chose HP not because I just love the product, but because I don't really know what the hell I'm doing. That's the truth. BUT, since I've come to this amazing site I've had a bit of a turn around. I have an HP right now and it over heats and lags. It's a 2009 Pavilion g7 series.

The suggestion was Lenovon and Asus <--- I think that's right (NOT Acer, it's another "A..." brand--I'll have to look back). She suggested this one BECAUSE of my budget:

Lenovo Edge E545 (20B20011US) Notebook AMD A-Series A6-5350M (2.90GHz) 4GB Memory 320GB HDD AMD Radeon HD 8450G 15.6" Windows 7 Pro 64-bit pre-installed / Windows 8 Pro 64-bit Upgrade Media and License Included

I am a very UNtechy person. But, I use the net and Word a lot. I prefer Word 7 because I'm so used to it.

If you have any suggestions for an inexpensive computer, I am all eyes/ears. I do realize quality is not cheap, but I'm sure there are better "cheap" products than others.

I'm also willing to take a lightly used computer. That said, I don't want to go that route if it's a really bad idea.

iceblitzed · Jul 30, 2014

might want to consider one of these laptops up for bid. now im not sure whether or not they are lightly used (model was released 3 years ago on feb 2011) but you can get them
for $200-300 due to the model release year. Buying a new computer for $200-300 nowadays would usually be a weak one with windows 8 probably (not sure by word 7 you meant windows 7 or word 2007 for like documents).

This computer should be fine for net usage.

http

/www.ebay.com/sch/Laptops-Netbooks-/175672/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=lenovo+thinkpad+t420&_sop=15

jaguarskx · Jul 30, 2014

What activities do you want to do with the laptop?

Many laptops ship without an optical drive (DVD / Blu-Ray) these days, but many still have them. It is something you want the laptop to have? I prefer a laptop with a DVD drive since I use it to burn video files to blank DVD discs. I also buy most of my games on disc.

How much money are you willing to spend on a laptop?

Wintershere · Jul 30, 2014

Thank you, @ice

Out of curiosity, what does this mean exactly? (It was part of the description on what of the computers on that ebay list)----> : "3rd Party Software not included or supported by shop-arrow-direct..." <--- can you give me an example of what they're talking about here--provided that's not too much trouble?

And yes, I meant Windows 7. Oops

@jaguarskx
Honestly, I only have 200$ to spend, give or take some. That's what I have right now, as we speak and I need a laptop ASAP. I definitely know I can't get much for that sum. I'm willing to buy used (even though it's so risky), but I want to make sure I have some idea of what I'm doing/looking for.

These are the main things I need the laptop for:
Surfing the web A LOT
Writing A LOT
Transcribing A LOT
I'm sure you get the picture... I don't do any gaming, etc. And would LIKE to have DVD just in case I need it (for business purposes), but I don't burn videos and such.

I really only need something very basic, practical, raw--but not so raw that I have to install a bunch of stuff, that sort of thing.

Another thing, I've been checking out OLD laps and many of them have that Intel dual core with around 2.5Ghz. Is there any way to determine how that may translate in CPU terms i3, i5, i7 (if that makes sense)??? And how big of a difference will that make, dual core vs. CPU i3 let's say.

I am open to any and all suggestions. It's greatly appreciated.

USAFRet · Jul 30, 2014

Ask for the operating system product key in case you need to re-install the operating system in the future. Do not purchase without having the product key.

Not 'in case'.....do it.
Obtain the key and install media, AND actually install fresh as soon as you get it.
For any used PC, this should be the first default action.

You have no idea what the previous owner(s) had on there, and you do not want to be responsible for that.

Wintershere · Jul 30, 2014

Yes. Thank you for that @USA...

Speaking of the operating system product key: I asked one person if she had the product key for the lap I was looking at. She said, "oh, that's located somewhere on the bottom of the computer"... Is that true? Where would I find that as there are several numbers down there? And is it true for all/most laps? The lap I was looking at was a Lenovon. Old Lenovon with Intel dual core 2.5Ghz, RAM 4GBs, windows 7 install. It was ESTHETICALLY in mint condition. No wear on the key board. (It was at a Pawn shop... They have a 3 day return policy). I was thinking something like that would be worth around $125 give or take... Am I totally off?

Thoughts? Also, is it really crazy for me to get a used computer because I'm so ignorant when it comes to all of this?

USAFRet · Jul 30, 2014

Wintershere :

For Windows 7 and earlier, yes. Printed on the bottom, or maybe inside the battery compartment.
However, being used, it may be rubbed off. In which case you're out.

And then you still need an install disk. You can get it for Win 7 here:
http

/www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

Other than Windows 7, you may be out of luck.

Wintershere · Jul 30, 2014

Got it (as in I actually get what you're saying)... Thank you.

USAFRet · Jul 30, 2014

For someone that is not 100% sure, a used PC/laptop may be an iffy proposition.
Not trying to scare you away, but any of a number of things may go wrong with it.

But...you always have us here for support....

Wintershere · Jul 30, 2014

Hahahaha @USAFRet! I'm going to hold you to it. I'll be knocking on your internet door with my barrage of questions. You'll end up looking like that guy in your avi. KIDDING

iceblitzed · Jul 30, 2014

(THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE NOT INSTALLED OR SUPPORTED) pretty much means that programs such as photo editing software or video software for example is not installed - only the barebones windows applications are available. also you need the model number of the processor as well as the ghz to determine if its a i3,5,7. for example the lenovo t420 on ebay have a i5-2540m 2.6ghz dual core.

Your question about a dual core vs i3. they can be the same thing. most i3 processors are dual core.
also about the windows 7 key as long as you buy from ebay seller with a high star rating you should be fine.
however running a virus scan https

/www.malwarebytes.org/mwb-download/ wouldnt hurt

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