How can I buy a used computer without so much fear of it being a lemon?

Question

My wife and I are looking into the purchase of an used laptop, since we don't have the funds for a new one. Where do we look for it, and how do we protect ourselves from buying things which will rapidly break down and become useless?

Answer 1

It all depends on:

• your comfort level with buying from a store vs an individual;
• how much you're thinking about spending;
• what you'll be using the laptop for;
• how long you expect the laptop to last.

If you're worried about getting a lemon and not knowing what to do about it, then it makes sense to buy it from a store. Most offer a short warranty on used products. Even if they don't, you know where they're at and can always return to take up your beef with them.

With buying from an individual you don't know, the last you'll see of them is when they're walking away with your cash. You have no recourse.

For web browsing and word processing, anything with a Pentium 3 or higher is fine. That will allow you to at least run Windows 2000 and Office 2000.

A good used laptop can cost you anywhere from $150 to $200-$300. At closer to $300 you can a pretty good NEW laptop that will be equal to or faster than the best used laptop in that price range. Additionally, you'll have a limited manufacturer's warranty with it.

That said, most computer users do not need the portability of a laptop. What you gain in portability you lose in power. For the same amount of money you spend on a laptop--new or used--you can get a faster more powerful desktop.

With a laptop, you're constantly having to tend to it...kind of like a kid. You're always having to keep track of it, being careful with it, etc. Take it to a library and you have to haul it with you while you're browsing through the book racks. Take it to a coffee shop, you can't just get up to get a refill have to drag it along with you. It can be a hassle.

Answer 2

Don't. Please try to scrub up funds for, even, a moderately priced perhaps low-end newbie. Anyone who has an old computer (including you, someday) would, before getting rid of it, remove the hard drive and utterly destroy it beyond all hope of all repair or recovery and in several pieces scattered all the heck over town, to protect personal identity, so, you gotta figure the expense of an extra hard drive, and the expense of licensing software, and on, and on. Getcher own with some software pre-installed, por vous, que no? Good luck!

Answer 3

Well if you don't know what you are looking for or at get a new one. I think the only way you can get a lemon is if you buy from a pawn store. Even wal mart has decent computers for 600 or 700 dollars.

Answer 4

I have had great success with old Dell machines. I have used dozens of them and typically as long as you buy from someone who will honer a DOA return policy you should be fine. Also, if you search Ebay you will find that many sellers will use what's called "square trade" as a warrenty, this is a good deal so you should check into it as an option depending on how old it is.

Used Macs are also very nice, I just purchased one and I'm very happy....expensive but good stuff. I did use the square trade on that deal.

Answer 5

I would in all honesty recommend you go to Apple. This is the only company you can truly trust to sell you a computer which, although second hand, will be as good as new. I'm not just saying that because I love Apple, I am saying it because it is 100% true. Whatever you do DO NOT trust Computer World.

Answer 6

Well ------ One has to "educate" oneself in knowing more about "things". I suggest going on the net , and do a lot of reading up --- joining up with a discussion (chat)group ----
Start a conversation with some one else who already owns a lap-top and ask questions ---- I"m sure most people would be happy to discuss "pros/cons" about their laptops.
Don"t be in a big rush to buy "the first one" ------
Wait ---- give yourself some time to learn.
Even after all this --- after you do buy one --- you have to use it and really discover for yourself --- just what you need out of one ---- a little bit of "experience" in other words.
+++Spock+++

Answer 7

take it to a local tech, for a few bucks, they will tell you.

Answer 8

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