Buzz
Contemporary laptop manufacturers adhere to strict quality control processes. However, not all laptops in the market are flawless. Instances exist where new laptop owners face unforeseen issues.
To prevent and address such situations, it's crucial to inspect a newly purchased laptop. For a comprehensive guide and the latest insights on checking and experiencing new, genuine laptops, refer to the article below to ensure you own the best laptop.
Examine the Packaging
When buying a laptop, the first step is crucial. If you're interested in a Dell or Asus Laptop, inspect the packaging for any dents or tears. In case you notice any signs of tampering, exercise caution. Also, check if the packaging still retains the original, unbroken seals to avoid scenarios where the laptop has been unboxed and resealed.
If there are any irregularities, remember to capture the condition of the packaging before proceeding to the next steps.
Check the Accessories Inside
Typically, the product box will contain the laptop, battery, power cord, excluding models with integrated batteries. If the laptop uses a removable battery, you'll need to manually install it.
Inspecting the Machine
Now, let's move on to checking the laptop from Asus, Dell, or Lenovo... Remove any plastic layers or protective shells surrounding the device. Inspect and ensure that the machine's corners, as well as the upper and lower surfaces, are free from cracks or any signs of damage. Also, open and close the laptop lid multiple times to ensure smooth operation without any unusual noises.
The keyboard is another crucial component to inspect. Test each key for any sinking when pressed adjacent to it. The key depth is also essential and can impact your typing experience later on.
If everything looks good, the next step is to insert the battery and power up the machine for further testing.
Check Ports, Drive, Webcam, Speakers
Now, proceed to test the various ports by plugging in peripheral devices. Pay special attention to less commonly used ports like eSATA, HDMI, VGA, in addition to the standard USB ports. It's important to address potential issues early, as discovering faults later can be challenging. Next, delve into Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, card reader, webcam, and other features.
For the optical drive, try writing on a few discs. Note that some DVD drives may only read and not write, so testing with a DVD disc is not foolproof.
Inspect Hard Drive
When selecting a laptop, sellers often emphasize the storage capacity. However, capacity isn't always the decisive factor. Besides capacity, for HDD models, the revolutions per minute (RPM) and the hard drive's cache are crucial.
Go to Control Panel, navigate to Device Manager, and select Disk Drives. Then, based on the hard drive information, search on Google to learn more about its technical specifications.
Check System Configuration
Verify if your laptop matches the advertised configuration. Key components to check include the chip model, VGA, RAM, and hard drive capacity...
To check, open the System Properties window on your machine using the following steps:
- For Windows 7: Right-click on the My Computer icon on the desktop and select Properties. If this icon is not on the desktop, right-click on the desktop, choose Personalize>change desktop icons, and check the Computer box at the top under Desktop icons.
- For Windows 8: Open Windows Explorer, right-click on 'This PC' on the left, and select Properties.
Verify the information displayed against the manufacturer's advertised details, including Windows version (if pre-installed), processor, and installed memory (RAM).
Next, check the hard drive capacity by opening the Run menu (Windows key + R). In this window, enter diskmgmt.msc and press Enter or click OK.
You can verify if the actual hard drive capacity matches the advertised capacity. Note that the OS recognizes only about 92% of the manufacturer's advertised capacity due to different calculations between hardware manufacturers and Windows. This difference is normal and nothing to be concerned about.
Finally, check the graphics card. Open the Run menu as before, enter devmgmt.msc, and press Enter or click OK.
Expand the 'Display Adapters' section in the displayed window (click on the arrow next to it). This is the recognized graphics card component, and you can confirm if it matches the model advertised by the laptop manufacturer.
Check for 'Dead Pixels'
Not all screen models are created equal in terms of quality. During production, some screens may have defects known as dead pixels. To inspect for this issue, display an all-black image on the screen and carefully check for dead pixels.
On Windows 7/8, right-click on the desktop > select 'Personalize' > click 'Desktop Background' > choose 'Solid Colors' from the dropdown menu > click on the black color icon > click Save Changes.
Afterward, scrutinize the screen for any pixels displaying green or altered colors. If found, contact the manufacturer for warranty or replacement. Note that some manufacturers only allow replacements if the screen has five or more dead pixels, so check the warranty terms before purchase.
Check the Quality of Connection Ports
Connection ports must also be ensured to function properly before purchasing a laptop. Connect external devices to each port on the machine, such as USB, HDMI, etc. If the ports work seamlessly, and all connections occur without any issues, proceed to assess the audio quality through the speakers and headphone jack on the laptop.
In this guide, we've walked you through how to inspect a newly purchased laptop, providing tips for checking its authenticity. With this knowledge, you can confidently choose the best laptop for your use. For those on a budget considering a used laptop, don't worry too much. Refer to Mytour's guide on checking a used laptop before purchase to avoid counterfeit or imitation products.
Experience this journey
This article guides you on how to inspect a newly purchased laptop, shares insights into checking its authenticity. Armed with this knowledge, you can make an informed decision when selecting the perfect laptop for your needs. Even if you're budget-conscious and leaning towards a used laptop, fret not. Refer to Mytour's guide on checking a used laptop before purchase to steer clear of counterfeit or imitation products.
