![]() ![]() If you want a specific model, set up a search for that model – in my case, I used "MacBook Pro" but there's no reason you can't set up a search for "Thinkpad", "Ultrabook", or "Zenbook" depending on what you're looking for. For example: if you want an i7 processor, search the computers section for "i7" and you'll be notified whenever a new post mentioning i7 processors is posted. We've shown you, and I highly recommend you follow those instructions to set up searches with a few of your key terms. Someone will eventually offer what you're looking for, and when that happens you're going to want to be the first person to find out. If you don't find things that match your needs, that's okay: we're playing the long game here. ![]() Open a few laptops that look interesting, then see if the specifications match up to your lists of needs and wants. Go ahead and open your local Craigslist, then head to the Computers section. Get Alerted About New Posts Quickly Now that you've got a better idea of what you want, it's time to dive in. The important thing is to think this through so you can filter out the laptops you do and don't want. Which factors matter are going to vary depending on your use case, of course. If you want to carry your laptop around with you, make sure it's not to big to fit in your bag or heavy to carry around comfortably. If you intend on gaming at all, make sure the specs are high enough to run the games you like. If you want to run the latest version of Photoshop on your laptop, you should check Adobe's list of requirements and not consider any laptop that doesn't meet them. A few examples, just to give you ideas: If you want right after your purchase, you need to ensure the laptop is already running Windows 7 or 8 and as such entitled to the free upgrade. One of things your new laptop needs to have, another of things that are nice but not deal-breakers. My advice: create a document with two lists. Many of these are underpowered and aged, so you need to work out your baseline to eliminate weaker devices. What will you be using the laptop for? What are the hardware requirements for the software you want to run? Do you have a specific size in mind? How much are you willing to pay? Are there brands you prefer? You need to work out at least a few of these points before diving into Craigslist, because otherwise the sheer volume of laptops offered are going to overwhelm you. Work Out What You Need First Before you even start looking for a used laptop, you have to figure out what you need. I'll be focusing on Craigslist, but the advice isn't specific: if another site is the main classified service where you live (for example, Kijiji in Canada) the points outlined still apply. Here are some tips I picked up during my quest. I met with multiple people offering laptops that turned out to have problems, and emailed many others too late to make an offer. ![]() To this day, I couldn't be happier with my purchase, which I used for all of my work. It even came with some aftermarket upgrades, including a solid state drive. ![]() It was only a year old at the time, and I saved around $600 compared to buying new. I bought my current laptop, a 2011 Macbook Pro, on Craigslist almost four years ago. The Ultimate Guide to Buying Used Devices MUO I bought my current laptop, a 2011 Macbook Pro, on Craigslist almost four years ago. ![]()
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