Key points to check before buying a used computer

There are many reasons that can be given for choosing to purchase a used computer. In addition to saving money, the second-hand market is inherently more sustainable by giving a product a second life. Not everyone necessarily needs the latest model to hit the market, as previous generations are often more than sufficient for everyday use. A global computer component shortage like the one in 2020 can also sharply reduce the supply of new PCs, in which case the second-hand market can be a good fallback.

While sites specializing in repackaging like BackMarket generally offer guarantees for several months, resale platforms between individuals (Leboncoin, eBay or the Facebook marketplace for the most famous) are generally more risky, undermined by their share of online scams. any kind and defective products.

Before paying the seller and leaving with his computer under his arm, it is therefore necessary to do some basic checks.

During his research

Check the exact model

When you come across an interesting ad, you have to check the exact model of the computer in question. Some series have been around for a long time like the MacBook Air or the Dell XPS 15 to name a few, and not all models are created equal. The performance of a computer varies greatly depending on the year and the hardware configuration, so be sure to make sure that the model sold is suitable for you. At Acer for example, the Nitro 5 has been around for a long time and in various forms. To avoid confusing the different versions, be sure to look for the full name that refers to a single configuration, for example: Acer Nitro 5 AN517-52-505S.

In any case, the more details the ad contains, the better.

The components

Speaking of configuration, it must of course be in accordance with your needs. As with a new PC, you must therefore evaluate your use and find the appropriate components without spending too much if it is not necessary. No need to invest several thousand euros in a computer to do only office automation. On the other hand, it can be interesting for video games or professional use for example.

• For the processor part, we do not recommend PCs equipped with an Intel Core i3 or an AMD Ryzen 3 which are generally found in entry-level computers and which may suffer from slowdowns. Prefer the Intel Core i5 and Core i7 or the Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 from AMD which generally offer sufficient performance (again, depending on the intended use).

• For storage, there too it is according to the needs of each one, but 512 GB is today a minimum, except for a use limited to basic office automation where 256 GB could be sufficient. Better to avoid computers with simple hard disks (HDD). While most computers today have SSDs, this is not always the case. However, it is better to favor them, they allow the computer to start in a few seconds, and are much faster in use.

• As for the RAM, we recommend a minimum of 8 GB of RAM to ensure smooth operation in office tasks. A larger amount will be especially useful for use involving heavy applications or video games.

• If the computer is intended for greedy graphics applications or video games, we advise you to orient yourself towards the GeForce RTX of Nvidia which take advantage of interesting technologies for the game (raytracing and DLSS in particular). The RTX 3050 to 3080 are the most recent, but the RTX 2060 to 2080 are still in the game, especially on Full HD (1080p) displays. The previous generations (GTX) are starting to date and cannot use the technologies mentioned, it is better to avoid them to play the latest popular titles.

• Regarding the screen, finally, Full HD definition is the minimum required to enjoy satisfactory image quality. We also recommend to opt for models with IPS or OLED panel, and to avoid TN type panels whose colors are not very faithful and viewing angles limited.

You will normally find all of this information by typing the exact model name into your favorite search engine, but we will explain below how to find it directly on the PC if you buy it yourself.

Buy online or in person?

For a computer, the question may arise, because it is a relatively expensive product and potentially subject to many failures. We can therefore only recommend a purchase in person, in order to be able to check the state of the chassis and the correct functioning of the PC.

Buying online is obviously much more risky. Although the biggest resale platforms like Leboncoin and eBay offer secure shopping with dispute management help, it can be long and tedious, and you’re not always sure to see your money back if something goes wrong.

Buying online is not to be avoided, but you must be extra vigilant, and even if this is not perfect, do not hesitate to ask for more photos, or even a video of the computer in operation. .

Request proof of purchase

As with most second-hand purchases, the first thing to ask the seller is if they have the bill for the computer. Firstly because, if the PC was purchased less than 2 years ago, it should normally still be under warranty from its point of sale or from the manufacturer.

And even if this deadline is exceeded, the presence of an invoice reassures on the initial purchase date (not too old?) And the origin of the machine. A purchase without invoice is however possible of course, provided that the seller has good arguments and that the offer is interesting.

Ask to try the product

When delivering by hand, it is essential to ask to try the computer. If the seller refuses, simply go your way. In the case of a fixed computer, it will logically be necessary to test it at home, connected to a power outlet and to a screen. Laptops obviously offer more flexibility on this point.

Before concluding the purchase in person

Check the general condition of the chassis

It’s simple, but, not to mention the aesthetic aspect, a chassis in good condition is usually a good clue to whether the seller has taken good care of their machine. So remember to observe the computer from every angle to detect signs of excessive wear or possible shocks. Also look at the air vents; if they are full of dust, this may be a sign of poor maintenance and they will in any case have to be cleaned to ensure better cooling of the computer.

The screen should be inspected carefully, too large scratches could be annoying in use. Once the latter is on, also check that there are no dead pixels on the display.

Also remember to tap on all the keys on the keyboard and use the touchpad to check that they respond well.

Test the PC

When you try the computer with the vendor, you must first ensure its hardware configuration (processor, RAM, storage, graphics card if there is one…).

On PC, there are several possibilities, here are some of them:

• Open “This PC” through File Explorer or simply type “This PC” in the search bar at the bottom left of the screen to display the application. You can already see the computer storage there. Once open, right click anywhere in the window then click on “properties”. Windows then opens a system window where you can see the list of components and the version of the operating system installed.

• However, this method does not display the graphics card, and if the PC you are buying has one, it is better to do otherwise: Simply type “dxdiag” in the search bar and press the “Enter” key to validate. Windows opens the Direct X diagnostic tool, which also displays all of the components. The graphics card can be found under the “Display” tab.

On Mac, just click on the apple in the menu bar and select “About this Mac”. A window then opens with all the necessary information. The “Storage” and “Monitors” tabs also provide additional information.

For an office computer, open multiple tabs on a browser and a few apps to make sure everything opens properly and everything runs smoothly.

On a model gaming, the ideal would be to run a game for at least a few minutes. Ask the seller to leave one installed or bring one on a USB key that you can install on site.

To finish

When you return home with your new computer, remember to check that everything is properly uninstalled. Your best bet is to reset the computer yourself to make sure that there is no software or data left by the old user.