This is why you should thoroughly examine the laptop before closing the deal to avoid unpleasant surprises later on.

If you doubt the credibility of the seller, here’s how you could test the used laptop.

Test the Keyboard and Trackpad

Begin the laptop inspection by testing the keyboard and trackpad first.

Keyboard tester typing letters in lowercase with Caps Lock off.

If all keys register correctly, the keyboard is likely in good condition.

Also, verify you feel comfortable typing on the keyboard.

To test the trackpad, hover over the screen to gauge its responsiveness.

Testing the laptop speaker in Settings.

Test the Speakers and Built-In Microphone

Next, you should test the built-in microphone and speaker.

On Windows 11, right-press the Start button and select “configs.”

Then, navigate to System > Sound.

Testing the laptop microphone in Settings.

Here, hit the “Test” button next to Format.

If the audio output is unclear, there may be an issue.

Speak for a few seconds, then stop the test.

Generating the battery health report from Windows PowerShell.

If you see a decent volume percentage recorded, the microphone is working as it should.

To do this, typeCamerain the Windows Search bar and kick off the Camera app.

When purchasing a new laptop, you should ensure that it’s not heavily worn out.

Checking the laptop battery report.

Navigate to this location and launch the battery report.

The difference between these values indicates the extent to which the battery’s capacity has diminished due to usage.

If the full charge capacity is significantly low, you may have to replace the battery.

Running the memory diagnostic test from Windows Command Prompt.

One way to check this is to request a purchase receipt from the seller.

If they are unable to provide one, this could be a red flag.

Because of that, confirming there are no wired or wireless connectivity issues is important.

Start by connecting your laptop to Wi-Fi.

Then,test its Ethernet portby plugging it directly into the router.

If the internet connection works well, test the audio jacks with headphones.

Similarly, check the USB ports by connecting a wired gear.

Finally, confirm Bluetooth is working by pairing a Bluetooth-powered gadget.

To trigger the test, open Command Prompt as an administrator, typemdsched.exe, and press Enter.

Then, click “Restart Now and Check for Problems.”

Windows will restart and execute the test.

Once it finishes testing the RAM, it’ll restart again and display the test results.

Open Event Viewer and go to Windows Logs > System.

Click “Find,” typeMemoryDiagnostic, and click “Find Next.”

Check the laptop’s storage drive to see if it is an SSD rather than an HDD.

SSDs are preferable due to their speed and quiet operation.

You should treat any laptop with a hard drive somewhat skeptically.

Whichever you find,check the drive’s healthto ensure it isn’t dying.