There are many reasons why purchasing a used laptop may make sense for you.  You may need a laptop for work or school but do not have the money to buy a new one.  If being eco-friendly and living green is important to you, buying a used laptop computer is an environmentally responsible choice.  If you love gadgets and new technologies, you may find that buying used laptops is a way for you to own and experience more of these technologies. 

Individuals and companies who depend on cutting edge technology find that they have to upgrade their computer equipment a minimum of every three years.  For the average person, a three year old laptop is still useful and practical.  The exception to this is if you are into playing the latest and newest graphics intensive games or if you need a laptop for video or photo editing.  Otherwise, the cycle of company upgrading gives you the opportunity to buy cheap used laptops that are actually of a very high quality.  In this type of situation, it is possible to buy a really impressive used laptop at a very modest price.

Many people do not like buying used laptops because they are concerned that they do not come with a warranty.  However, this can actually be a bonus.  A laptop with no warranty is going to be less expensive than one with a warranty.  A top of the line laptop that cost $3,000 new can be purchased three years later for as little as $500.  Another benefit of not having a warranty is that you are free to modify and upgrade your laptop as you see fit, without having to worry about voiding the warranty as you would with a new laptop.  This is great for students and novices who need to practice and learn.

Some individuals shy away from buying used laptops because they feel that something must be wrong with them.  However, this is rarely the case.  The vast majority of used laptops are on the market because of the upgrading cycle.

When deciding if a used laptop is right for you, begin by determining your minimum qualifications.  Decide how much memory you need and how large you want the hard drive to be.  You may also want to take into consideration the battery life, wireless capabilities, and monitor size.

Before you buy a used laptop, examine the case.  Pay specific attention to the corners and look for any signs that the laptop has been dropped.  Cracks or external damage may actually indicate a more serious internal problem.  Carefully check the screen of the laptop.  You should consider walking away from any computer that has uneven brightness or a flickering screen.  The cost of fixing either of these problems will probably be too expensive to make the laptop worth buying.  It is also important to examine the hinges and make sure that the monitor stays in place.

Test as many of the keyboard keys as possible and run the CD or DVD player.  If it has a burner, test it to see if it works, if possible.  If the laptop has a wireless card, attempt to connect to the internet to make certain that it is functioning.  Be sure that the laptop’s cooling system is working by listen for the fan when you turn the laptop on.  The cooling system is very important because too much heat can damage or even destroy computer components.

When looking for used laptops on sale, you have several options.  The most common are online auctions, local dealers, Craigslist, and the manufacturer.  Buying from the manufacturer or a local dealer is usually more expensive but these used laptops will likely come with warranties.  If you are new to buying used laptops, paying a bit more for a warranty may put your mind at ease.  Buying a laptop from Craigslist or an online auction will be less expensive but you will have to use more caution.  Do not purchase a used laptop from an auction unless the seller has a stellar feedback rating.  A legitimate seller will be more than willing to work with you in order to maintain a flawless rating and prevent negative buyer feedback.  If you purchase a used laptop from Craigslist be sure to meet with the seller in a public place and carefully inspect the laptop before making the purchase.  Although it will take a bit more research and effort on your part, buying a used laptop is an affordable way to own a useful and practical computer.