Used notebooks
Notebooks are as popular as never before. For the first time the useful mobile computers were sold more often than their desktop fellows in 2006. A brand-new high-quality laptop is very expensive, and many people can not afford to buy it. But there exists a cheaper possibility. A low priced used notebook is powerful enough for accomplishing daily work. Here is the advice for paying attention when buying a used laptop.
Processor
- Logo of Mobile Pentium III-M
The processor is the linchpin of every computer. Its speed is responsible for the performance of the computer. Intel’s Mobile Pentium III or its slightly upgraded successor Mobile Pentium III M are cheap and powerful CPU’s. Both types of processors provide enough power for everyday work, playing MP3 files or watching movies when their performance exceeds 700MHz. The general guideline says: The higher clock rate, the greater power – and the bigger price.
But be aware of bargain offers which are equipped with processors made by VIA or Transmeta. These chips provide a higher clock rate compared to Pentium III processors, but the performance is lower than Intel’s one. The same is true for Intel’s Pentium IV processors. Even when their clock rate is higher, the overall performance is only marginally higher then the Pentium III ones. Another disadvantage of Pentium IV CPU’s is the lower battery runtime and more noise emissions while working.
Working memory and operating system
Next to the performance of the processor the size of the working memory is important for the speed of the notebook. The RAM is used as an ultra fast buffer while calculating. If the memory is not big enough, then it is not possible to work without slowing down. Too little of RAM cannot be compensated by a fast processor.
The operating system specifies how big the size of the working memory has to be. For example Windows 2000 needs a minimum of 128MB RAM, but when using Windows XP the working memory has to be 256MB. Better is to double these sizes for working smoothly. Linux does not need as much working memory as Windows does. Some distributions are made for slower computers and do not need as much resources as Windows. Some versions like Puppy Linux or Xubuntu only need 128MB of RAM for running without any problems. Even the user interface is suitable for beginners and similar to Windows. However a little time to get to know the operating system is necessary. Only professional distributions like Damn Small Linux are more economically. They need 64MB of RAM providing smooth working or surfing through the internet. But in this case the functions of the operating system are trimmed, and it is not possible to expand them easily without professional knowledge of Linux.
- Xubuntu is an option to Windows.
Ports
Wireless LAN adapters, several USB 2.0 ports and multi card readers became standard equipment of laptops during the last years. Normally older notebooks do not have these ports. At least a PCMCIA Wireless LAN adapter can be bought and easily connected to the notebook. Only very old laptops which use Pentium II CPU’s do not have a PCMCIA port and cannot be upgraded in this way.
Battery runtime
- The battery has to be changed.
The biggest problem when buying a used notebook is the battery runtime. If the seller does not include a new or younger battery and the old one has been used over years, then the runtime will not be very long. The notebook cannot be used longer than 15 to 60 minutes without plugging it to power. The money for buying a new battery has to be added additionally to the purchase price of the notebook. But when using a new battery, the runtime of a Pentium III notebook increases up to three hours. Such a new battery costs about 35 to 70 Euro.
Typical pitfalls
There are several things to care about when looking for used notebooks in auction houses. A very extensive description and significant photos are the most important criteria. Even when the seller praises his notebook, the ravages of time has gnawed at it. It is essential surveying the display beside scratches and abrasions of the body.
In many cases the display is injured because of wrong handling. Blurry discolorations and colour gradations are especially annoying. Fingerprints or dust on the display are less important because they can be easily removed from the notebook by using a display-cleaning spray and a micro fibre rag. Pixel errors cannot be recognized when viewing a picture but most of the time they are not distracting.
In auction houses many offered notebooks are equipped with foreign keyboards. Pay attention in this connexion, because stickers for the keyboard do not change a foreign one into an adequate German model. In fact these stickers are irritating and make working with the notebook more difficult, so the buyer has to prefer a German keyboard layout to a foreign one.
If the seller writes something like “the hard disk makes a grinding noise” or “the fan is clattering”, then the buyer has to be careful too. The first case indicates that the hard disk is going to break down and the second case refers to a damaged mount of a fan. Probably some components get too hot and were running out of the manufacturer specifications for a long time.
It is also important to pay attention to the operating system. Most of the notebooks are equipped with a pre-installed operating system, but in a few cases the seller wants to keep the licence. If it is missing, then the customer has to buy it on its own, or has to use an open source operating system.
Used notebooks with warranty
If someone does not want to buy a notebook via the internet, then it is possible to purchase a laptop from a commercial trader. The advantage is that the trader has to offer a one year warranty and refers in most cases to defects of the notebook. The price level of the laptops is higher than when bought from an individual. A few examples where used notebooks can be bought are the online shops Lapstore.de, Lapworld.de, tb-computers.de and recycle-it.de.
Recommended models
- IBM ThinkPad
Used laptops from the manufacturer IBM are especially popular. The IBM ThinkPads have a legendary reputation and satisfy through ergonomics, comfort and reliability, but they are not very cheap. If someone does not want to spend much money, then the Dell Latitude or the HP Evo and Armada model ranges are possibilities.
Conclusion
If you follow the basic rules of buying a used notebook, then you will get a solid working machine for less money. But you should remember that new notebooks made by well-known manufacturers are available for less than 500 Euros. In most cases it is not worth to spend more than 300 to 400 Euros to buy a used laptop inclusive the operation system and a new battery.
