Buying my son's laptop - what's it worth?

daska

I'm not trying to sell it, his stepdad's screen failed yesterday and as DS1 isn't using this any more it seems like a reasonable replacement but I don't want DS2 to feel he's being taken advantage of and expected to sell it to us on the cheap.

Is there somewhere I can get a ball park figure from (equivalent of Parkers for car values)? Or can someone here make an informed guess?

I believe it's this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0049U3U4K/ref=oss_product

I think it would be fair to say it's in reasonable condition considering the amount of use it's had, he's probably notched up a decade of playing minecraft in the last two years LOL.

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Robisere

From your post, I assume that it is around 2 years old. It was quite a good model when new, still a desirable laptop now, if looked after as you say. As it's family, if I was to buy this from my son or daughter, in the condition you say it is, I would offer between £175 and £200.

If I were buying this myself, I would backup everything he needs to save (unless he does it himself) and carry out a complete reinstall of Windows 7. To do this, you would need the original Win7 disc (Or borrow one of EXACTLY the same that is on the laptop) plus the COA (the codes on the base of the laptop)

Then it could be made personal to the new owner, with all that owner's software. Computer manufacturers like Toshiba, like to put all sorts of their own software on the machines. All of it is unnecessary, it usually takes up 2 extra partitions on the hard drive and therefore uses space to do stuff that Windows already does, faster and more efficiently.

But that is a matter of choice, your decision. I have done all that with my HP laptop and several others. It does not affect any warranty as that is Hardware based and does not cover software.

daska

2 years, one month and 1 day to be precise LOL - I have the e-mail telling me he'd bought exactly the same model as mine - so I also know I can restore the original settings on it (F8 on boot I think, I'll double check). I'm not too worried about the need for backups, his dad replaced it with an ideacentre(?) and he has a dedicated laptop for assignments etc. and a phone...

What you've suggested price wise is pretty much what I was thinking, I just didn't want to risk cheating him by not checking.

Thank you

GunJack

however, you can get a (practically new) refurb similar spec if not better from argos ebay outlet for around £200 with a 12-month warranty....I personally would look at getting £120-£140 for it, doing well if you make £150 IMHO for a 2-y-o relatively basic lappy

Robisere

GunJack wrote: »

however, you can get a (practically new) refurb similar spec if not better from argos ebay outlet for around £200 with a 12-month warranty....I personally would look at getting £120-£140 for it, doing well if you make £150 IMHO for a 2-y-o relatively basic lappy

That is true as far as it goes, but the OP KNOWS this laptop. Buying a refurb can be a lottery. Why was it "refurbished"?

Robisere

Thank you

You are very welcome, daska.

NiftyDigits

Robisere wrote: »

That is true as far as it goes, but the OP KNOWS this laptop. Buying a refurb can be a lottery. Why was it "refurbished"?

What a nonsense post.

Even if there was a fault(it is possible that it was a no-fault return), the whole point is that it has been fixed and checked and now is backed by a full warranty.

"Knowing" a machine?? Quite how do you do that? The machine could fail at any time and there will be no warranty on which to fall back.

As Gunjack has suggested, you can buy a newer, more well specified Toshiba; the Satellite C850-101 for around £200. Backed by a full warranty.
So, £150 would be my offer...as it's family.

daska

Good point but to be fair, I do 'know' the machine in that it's exactly the same as mine LOL so I know it's limitations...

NiftyDigits

daska wrote: »

Good point but to be fair, I do 'know' the machine in that it's exactly the same as mine LOL so I know it's limitations...

Indeed it's "limitations" are the case in point. Only 2 USB ports and USB 2.0 at that. No HDMI output. No warranty.
'Knowing' the machine means nothing when it comes to reliability.

System

Knowing a second hand laptop isn't the same as knowing a second hand car - I would be looking at getting a refurb with warranty for a little bit more tbh

daska

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Indeed it's "limitations" are the case in point. Only 2 USB ports and USB 2.0 at that. No HDMI output. No warranty.
'Knowing' the machine means nothing when it comes to reliability.

We already have USB hubs, are USB 3 or 4 or whatever it's up to now something we need? What for? Ditto HDMI?