may be getting used laptop...what do I look for?

I may be getting a used HP laptop running Windows XP. I asked the guy if he could tell me anything about it and he couldn't, he doesn't know much about them and he is desperate for the money right now. He did say it's fairly new. I won't have time to run any reports for you on it when he brings it over in a few hours, but could you tell me what it should have in order to run smoothly? (like how much ram, that kind of stuff) Also, if you could please tell me how to check the stuff I need to look at, I know SOME easy stuff, still learning tho! I trust all the people that post on this site and it has been the best learning tool for me. Thanks!

 

Make sure the glide pad is in good clean condition and working properly. This is the most likely part of a laptop to wear out.

If you can, try to charge the battery fully (there is a little icon for charge %) and see how long the battery holds charge, when the mains is disconnected, leave the pc running for this. This will tell you if the battery is in good condition. Batteries are very expensive. Make sure you get a mains power unit with the pc. Make sure the cable from the power unit to the laptop is in good condition, not fraying at the plug.

 

Check the monitor for even screen lighting. And make sure it is not 'hot'

The above posts I think cover things well, just being silly.

E

 

Thanks everyone for your help. However, the guy sold it to someone else before he even brought it over here for me to look at to someone who offered to pay more for it. (I probably asked him too many questions about it, like how much memory it had, what OS it had, the easy stuff and he could only tell me the OS) and for that reason I'm glad I didn't get it because it probably was "hot"!!!!!

 

Yeah laptops which fall of the back of lorries are not known for reliability.

You did the right thing to ask questions though, there are plenty of good laptops out there at reasonable prices.

 

This guy wanted $350 for it. Someone offered him $500. Good luck to the guy that got it.