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The refurbished buying checklist

Fifteen minutes with this list at the counter will catch many of the problems that turn a bargain into a project. Test the exact machine you would take home — not a display twin.

1. Battery

• Open the battery report (Windows) or battery settings (Mac) and note the cycle count and reported full-charge capacity versus design capacity.
• Unplug it and use it for several minutes. A healthy battery should not drop in sudden jumps.
• Ask whether the battery was replaced, tested, or is original — and whether it is covered by the store's stated terms.

2. Locks and activation

• BIOS / firmware passwords: restart the machine and make sure no unknown password blocks setup or boot.
• Operating system activation: confirm Windows or macOS is activated to no one else's organisation or account.
• Device management: check for company management profiles or enrolment screens — a managed ex-fleet machine can be restricted later.
• Macs: confirm Activation Lock is off and the machine is signed out of the previous owner's account. See refurbished Macs.

3. SSD / storage health

• Ask to see a drive-health reading (SMART status / health percentage where the tool provides one).
• Confirm the capacity matches what is advertised and that no previous user's data or partitions remain.
• Listen and watch during a large file copy or update — errors and freezes often show up under load.

4. Keyboard, trackpad and screen

• Type a sentence using every row, then test function keys, backlight and special keys.
• Move the pointer to all four corners; click and drag; check for drift or dead areas.
• Display a plain white, black and grey screen: look for dead pixels, pressure marks, bright spots, yellowing and flicker at low brightness.
• Open and close the lid slowly — the image should not cut out, and the hinge should feel even.

5. Ports, sound and connections

• Plug something into every USB / charging port; test headphone output, speakers, microphone and camera.
• Connect to Wi-Fi, move a few metres away, and confirm the connection holds. Test Bluetooth with any device the store allows.
• Confirm the charger is the correct one, charges the machine, and is included in the sale.

6. Heat, noise and the basics

• Let it idle, then run something demanding for a few minutes. Fan noise is normal under load; grinding, clicking or sudden shutdowns are not.
• Check the exact model, processor, memory and storage in system settings against the listing — do not rely on the sticker.

7. Before you pay

• Ask what the refurbisher did to this machine: tested, repaired, parts replaced, data wiped.
• Confirm warranty and return terms directly with the store, in writing if possible. See warranty information.
• Make sure the serial number on the machine matches the receipt.