A refurbished laptop is a great way to get more computer for your money. A few quick checks when it arrives will confirm that it is the unit you ordered and that it works as it should. Do them as soon as you unbox it, so you can raise any concern right away.
1. Check the box and what is inside
Confirm the laptop and the charger are there, plus anything else the listing says is included. Take a photo if anything looks damaged in transit, and keep the packaging until you are happy with the laptop.
2. Match the details to your order
Compare the model, memory and storage with your order. On Windows, open Settings, then System, then About. On a Mac, choose the Apple menu, then About This Mac. The processor, memory and storage should match the listing.
3. Look over the outside
Refurbished units can show light signs of previous use, depending on the condition grade. Check the lid, base, corners and keyboard against the grade in the listing. Open and close the screen a few times and check that the hinge feels firm.
4. Test the screen
Turn the laptop on and look for dead pixels, bright spots or lines. A plain white and a plain black background make problems easier to see. Check the brightness controls work.
5. Try the keyboard and trackpad
Open a text document and press every key. Test the trackpad, including clicking and scrolling. If the laptop has a backlit keyboard, switch the backlight on.
6. Check the ports and wireless
Plug a USB device into each port and, if you can, test the video output. Connect to Wi-Fi and pair a Bluetooth device. Check the headphone jack and the speakers.
7. Test the camera and microphone
Open a video call app or the camera app. Confirm that the camera shows a clear image and that the microphone picks up your voice.
8. Check the battery
Batteries on used laptops show some wear, which is normal. On Windows, you can create a battery report by opening a command prompt and typing powercfg /batteryreport. On a Mac, open System Information and look under Power for the cycle count and condition. Then run the laptop on battery for a while and see how it behaves.
9. Check storage health and speed
A solid state drive should feel fast. Startup should take well under a minute. If the laptop is slow, freezes or shows storage warnings, make a note.
10. Set it up and update it
Run system updates, install the software you need and sign in to your accounts. Use the laptop for your normal tasks for a few hours. This is the best test of all.
Buying for college? Knwdle's refurbished laptop for college checklist covers the same checks from a student's point of view.
If something is not right
Do not wait. Contact us with your order number and a short description of what you found, with photos if it helps. Our team will look at it directly. You can also read our warranty page and our returns and exchanges terms.
Shopping for your next one? See our refurbished Windows laptops and MacBooks.
