Condition, testing and what to ask about
“Used” says nothing about quality on its own. Here is the grading the industry uses, what a proper function test covers, and what you should always get in writing — from us as well.
The grading: A, B and C
The grade describes how the machine looks — not how it works. All equipment has to pass the same function test, whatever the grade. Some suppliers call it gold, silver and bronze, but it means the same thing.
Grade A
Like newFew or no visible marks. At arm's length the machine looks new. It is the most expensive grade, and the difference from grade B is purely cosmetic.
Suits: Management, sales and staff who sit across from customers.
Grade B
Light marksVisible but small marks: light scratches on the lid or palm rest, perhaps a shiny key. The screen is flawless and the machine performs like a grade A.
Suits: The typical business machine. This is where price and condition balance best.
Grade C
Clear marksScratches, dents or discolouration you notice. The machine is still fully functional and tested exactly like the others.
Suits: Warehouse, production, workshop and any desk where the equipment gets rough treatment anyway.
There is no shared standard for what a letter means. Two suppliers can call the same machine grade A and grade B. So always ask for the condition described in words — not just a letter.
What a function test has to cover
This is where a cheap supplier and a good one differ. A machine that “boots up” has not been tested. This is what we require before equipment is passed on to you:
- The battery's actual capacity measured against new — not just “it works”
- The screen checked for dead pixels, burn-in and brightness differences
- Every key, the trackpad and the TrackPoint where fitted
- All ports: USB, HDMI, Ethernet, audio and card reader
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, camera, microphone and speakers
- Fan and temperature under load
- The disk's condition and remaining life (SMART data)
- BIOS reset and free of passwords from the previous owner
The battery is the point that gets skipped most often. A battery at 60% of its original capacity works fine in a test and becomes a problem three months later. Ask for the number.
Data on used equipment
Both when you buy and when you sell, data is the thing that can get expensive. A formatted disk is not an erased disk. Data has to be overwritten by a recognised method, or the disk destroyed physically, and documentation has to follow per device — not per delivery.
If you are selling your old machines, ask for an erasure report with a serial number for each individual device. That is the document you need to be able to produce if anyone asks where the personal data from the old computers went.
Warranty
The warranty on used business equipment depends on who stands behind the individual delivery and how old the equipment is. Some machines still carry the manufacturer's own warranty; others are covered by the supplier. That is why we do not promise a fixed number of months up front.
What we do is put the warranty period in writing in the quote, along with who to contact if something breaks. If you get a quote — from us or anyone else — where that is missing, ask before you sign.
What you are told before you order
We source per order, so we know the specific equipment before you say yes. Everything below is in the quote:
- Which grade the machines are — and what that covers
- The battery's condition as a percentage of new capacity
- The specific configuration: processor, memory, disk and screen
- Which keyboard layout the machines are delivered with
- Which Windows licence is included and how it is tied to the machine
- What is in the box: power supply, cables, dock or bag
- The warranty period and who handles a fault if one appears
What is usually not included as standard
Power supplies, cables, docking stations, bags and mice rarely come with used equipment unless it has been agreed. That is the classic reason a cheap quote suddenly is not cheap. Say it up front and we will include it.
Get a quote you can see throughLet us find the right solution for you
Tell us about your situation and we will come back with a concrete proposal — no obligation and no sales pitch.