If you are in the market for a used computer you will surely have a lot of apprehensions. It is necessary that you study the market and only make deal with people you can trust. There are a few things you should take care of before you take your computer home. Do not make your decision in a hurry and do not buy the first computer that comes your way. Do your home work, make sure that the computer you are looking at fits your needs and will last you a while.

A few things you should take note of are as follows:

Refurbished: A refurbished computer is one that has been redesigned to perform like a new computer. Many a times owners ensure that they get their old computers up to speed before they are ready to re sell it. Very much like selling a house, they do it up in a basic fashion so it is easier to sell. When you buy a refurbished computer you can be sure that the computer will last you long and will not give up just a few moths after you have procured it.

Battery Life: Another essential aspect that you need to be particularly careful about is the battery life of the laptop computer that you may purchase. Often people sell their laptop computers because they are not happy with the battery life and changing the battery can be very expensive. Instead they just go out and pick up another laptop computer. You do not want to get stuck with a laptop computer that needs to be charged and plugged in all the time. Make sure that the laptop computer you buy enjoys a good battery life.

Need: Before you set out looking for a computer you need to figure out what exactly are you going to use your computer for. If you are into heavy digital graphics then you would need a computer that comes with a graphics card, loads of memory and is able to process your programs at jet speed. If you require a computer for basic internet access and documents on programs like word and excel then you would not need a super fast computer.

Price: Of course the most important thing about your purchase is the price. Often owners try to palm off their old computers at prices that are unreasonable. You need to ensure that you are getting a good deal on your second hand purchase. Make sure that you are aware of the price at which the computer was bought, do ensure that you know the price that the computer is available for at the market today and also ensure that the owner is not cheating you.

Buying second hand computers is a risky proposition and you need to be very careful when you make this decision. Ideally going in for a recertified or refurbished computer is ideal and if you have some time to spare, wait a while, collect some money and pick up a brand new piece, it could save you a lot of heart break and your guarantee or warranty will allow you to get it checked and serviced on a regular basis.