नेपाली
Is it worth buying a second-hand laptop in Nepal?
Is it worth buying a second-hand laptop in Nepal?
One can get confused and overwhelmed buying laptops, especially when it comes to second-hand ones in Nepal.
Did you know?
Nepal imports laptops worth 7.72 billion yet Nepal is not able to fulfill the demand, comes the role of second-hand markets in Nepal. When we talk about developing countries like Ours the use of second-hand gadgets is always higher than brand new products which have been circulating all over Nepal where even the market doesn’t exist.
Second-hand laptops are always a good deal from a financial standpoint. When you buy a second-hand laptop, you receive all of the features for 20-30 percent less than the original price. These savings can enable you to achieve high-performance computing for a fraction of the cost of a new computer.
What do authorized, gray, and refurbished laptops mean?
Authorized laptops:
The laptops you buy from an authorized distributor are considered Authorized laptops. If you buy laptops from these distributors, it is guaranteed that your laptop is 100% genuine and you will also be facilitated with genuine accessories, a vat bill, and the highest standard of service.
There are multiple authorized distributors and partners of different brands in Nepal.
These companies are the official representatives of verified products.
|
Brands |
Authorized distributor |
|
Apple |
GENXT, Evo Store, Oliz Store |
|
Asus |
NAGMANI INTERNATIONAL |
|
Dell |
Neoteric Nepal, GENXT |
Gray laptops:
The laptops being sold in the market except by the authorized distributor are called gray laptops. Gray laptops are unauthorizedly imported into Nepal compromising the service and spare parts which makes them a little cheaper than authorized markets.
If a person imports a single laptop from the international market even in a hand carry it is supposed to be a gray laptop. A gray laptop can be refurbished too.
Refurbished:
In a foreign market, there is a return policy for the products you bought for a certain period. Suppose you ordered a laptop from any online store,
If you encounter any problem with the laptop in the initial phases, you can return the laptop even after a month or two. Now, these laptops are well maintained and ready to sell again with a tag refurbished in them.
So, we can say refurbished laptops are brand new-looking used laptops that come at a very reasonable price.
You can even get refurbished laptops on their official website with the same warranty and services as new ones.
In the context of Nepal, there are many cases of laptop vendors selling refurbished laptops with the MRP same as brand new.
Some of the common laptop brands and stores in Nepal.
|
Brand |
Store |
|
Apple, Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Ripple, Xiaomi, Chuwi |
Max International InfoTech Logix Digital System BT Planet iTTi Evo store Neo Store Megatech |
Second-hand laptop market in Nepal.
There are very few physical second-hand markets in Nepal. Though there are few physical markets, many online platforms where the most transaction takes place are in the city area of Nepal.
Some major online platforms where you can sell or buy second-hand laptops are:
- Bigyapan
- Hamrobazar
How to check if a laptop is new or used.
Most of the laptops you buy are brand new in the store you visit in Nepal. Some of them are refurbished and it is mentioned and some take the "Refurbished" tag from the laptop out and try to sell it for the initial price or they can even try to sell second-hand laptops at the price of new and this is fraud. To be on the safer side of these frauds you need to know how to check if a laptop is new or used.
Now to check if a laptop is already used or not:
Step 1: Look for a sign of use.
According to Bios notebook laptops that have been used extensively have trouble booting and may have dead pixels on the screen
Step 2: Check the hard drive for use.
If the previous owner has deleted files on or even reformatted the hard drive, it leaves behind a trail that certain software programs can pick up. Use a program like Disk Editor from Norton or Disk Investigator to check if your hard drive has been used.
Step 3: Check the inside of the computer for dust and signs of use.
A new computer may have some dust buildup but won't have nearly the amount of dust as a computer that's been used for a month or two. Pop off the plastic covering over your computer fan and use a cue tip to swab for dust. If the laptop has more than a little bit of dust, it has probably been used or stored improperly
Step 4: Check the battery power.
Battery power is an easy way to check if your laptop is used. New and with a full charge, your laptop battery should last several hours. According to Wayne Computing, a new battery should last at least two years. If your battery dies sooner, chances are high that your laptop, or at least the battery, was used.
Step 5: Check product key and serial/model.
Take the product key from the bottom of the laptop and write it down; the serial/model number is usually located on a sticker with the laptop brand name. Type the product key into the manufacturer's website to see details about when the computer was built and sold.
Things you should consider before buying a second-hand laptop
-
How long should a laptop last:
It is a little hard to predict the exact age of a laptop but there is always something you can consider. According to Intel's data, over 600 million laptops in use are more than four years old. When you want a second-hand laptop, you should buy the one in which you get the maximum amount of time to use. (I.e., don’t buy too old laptops)
-
Wears and tears:
Wear and tear in the laptop are common when someone uses a laptop for a long period, especially a gamer. For example, if someone watches a video or plays games then his/her graphic card will wear out over time. So, when you buy a second-hand laptop, you should always check for graphic cards and avoid this kind of deal.
-
Reliability and Durability referrals:
When you buy a second-hand laptop. Of course, you shouldn’t expect reliability and durability very much but what you can do is buy the one that has been used less. You can check if the laptop has been repaired or not. You can ask your seller about the repair and maintenance of the laptop, and you should ask others what they say about the laptop.You can see the rating of the product or even the seller in the online markets.
-
Heat and the environment:
Heat causes problems, accelerates wear, and shortens the life of any laptop. Check the amount of heat the laptop is emitting. Distinguish it from the heat of sunlight and the environment. I don’t suggest buying a laptop that has a lot of heat emissions.
-
Memory and auxiliary storage:
When you buy a second-hand laptop, the laptop is slower than the new one. You should always try to take the best deal out of the seller. Memory and auxiliary storage are something you can always add up and you can find a person selling a laptop and another one selling the same but has higher specs. You must prefer the higher specs. Memory and auxiliary storage are something that can fasten your laptop.
-
Laptop warranty
A laptop warranty is something you miss buying a second-hand laptop but who knows if a person has to sell a laptop that has a warranty? If you are looking for a second-hand laptop and you get it in the period when your warranty hasn’t expired, consider you got the best deal in the world.
-
Hinge
Check out the hinge of the laptop, the hinge should neither be more movable nor hard to move. The hinge should rest in its free state (I.e., a small amount of force should not move the display at a rapid rate.).
-
Broken parts
Avoid buying laptops that have broken parts in them. It could be problematic in the future. The parts that are broken might never be fixed.
Why should you prefer a second-hand laptop?
When it comes to buying a laptop, many don’t prefer a second-hand one. But it has lots of advantages that people usually ignore.
Cost-effective:
Second-hand laptops are usually cheaper than new ones, so you can have a significant amount of money to buy one. This is especially true when you are looking for a higher-end model that might be too expensive to buy a new one.
Better value:
Since you get a higher-end model for the price of a lower model, you get better value at a lower cost. For example, you might be able to find a second-hand MacBook Pro with a faster processor and more RAM than a new MacBook Air for the same price.
Environment benefits:
Buying a second-hand laptop is an environmentally friendly option since it reduces the demand for new products and minimizes electronic waste. When you buy a second-hand laptop, you are essentially recycling an existing product and extending its life span.
Upgradability:
Second-hand laptops are often easier to upgrade than new ones. For example, you might be able to add more RAM or upgrade the hard disk without having to pay a higher price than manufacturers often charge for these upgrades. In the context of Nepal, it is hard to find upgrades for newer models than older ones.
Overall, there are many advantages to buying a second-hand laptop, but it's important to do your research and be cautious of potential scams or hidden issues. Make sure to buy from a reputable seller, ask questions about the laptop’s condition and history, and consider purchasing a warranty or return policy for added peace of mind.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, buying a second-hand laptop can be a smart choice for many reasons. Not only are second-hand laptops cheaper than new ones, but they can offer better value, are environmentally friendly, and upgradable. Imagine getting a refurbished second-hand laptop, you get the same features as the new one at 20-30 percent less price.
