If you want to buy a laptop today, it's preferrable to buy a new one. However, the prices of new laptops in Nigeria will likely break your budget. For most people that can only afford to buy UK used or fairly used laptops and you don't know what to check to make sure you're not buying problem.
I always make sure to check this list before I release my money.
1. Storage Health: It's not enough to have 500GB or 1TB SSD or HDD. You must check how healthy the storage drive is. A bad drive will work but you can expect to fail or crash very soon. Don't accept a laptop if the drive health is below 100%.
You can use HD Sentinel or CrystalDiskInfo to check the health of the drive.
2. Battery Capacity: If the seller tells you the battery lasts for 7 hours, ask them how they know. Laptop batteries like any battery becomes weak with time and usage. Over time the current capacity drops far below the original design. A 80,000mWh battery may become 40,000mWh. If you don't check, you may have to buy a new battery sooner.
You can check the battery capacity with command prompt. Press Windows Key + X and type CMD then hit enter.
In CMD, type the following command: C:\Windows\System32\battery-report.html.
Copy the path to the output file and paste in the next prompt.
The file will open in your browser where you can see all the information about the laptop's battery.
3. BIOS Password: The BIOS is the operating system of the motherboard, it gives you more control over a laptop than the usual operating system. Some laptops come with a locked BIOS. It could mean the laptop was stolen or whatever, it doesn't belong to you even when you buy it.
You can enter the BIOS by pressing the BIOS key on your laptop when it is coming on. BIOS key is usually F10, F12 or ESC key. Check online to know your laptop BIOS key if none of these work.
4. OEM License: OEM license or Original Equipment Manufacturer's License is the copy of Windows directly from the maker of the laptop. This is good because you don't have to pay to activate Windows on that laptop. The only problem is that the license may be for an edition of Windows that does not fit you.
5. Endpoint Protection Software: This software is used to prevent stealing of laptops. You can use it to track and shutdown your laptop incase it's stolen. If this software is active on a laptop you want to buy, it means that laptop is a stolen laptop. DON'T BUY!!!.
I've seen a lot of people bring laptops they got newly for repairs because they didn't check properly before buying. Don't let sleek appearance and sweet talk make you buy laptop that has issues already. Always check to be sure.
If you need help deciding on which laptop is best for you, you can reach me at support@firxtjohn.me