Congratulations on your new laptop! The excitement of unboxing and experimenting with a fresh machine is exhilarating—an experience I still cherish even after unboxing more than 200 different devices. Each device brings its own unique features, which certainly appeals to our desire for novelty.
However, there’s nothing worse than discovering a defect after the return period has lapsed. Why hang on to a machine with a significant issue when returning it is an easy option? Here are some essential checks to perform to help ensure you don’t end up with a problematic laptop or waste hours on warranty calls.
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Inspect It Physically
First, ensure all external components are functioning correctly. This includes visible parts that don’t require opening the laptop, which we will avoid to prevent any issues with return policies.
Step 1: Examine the laptop casing thoroughly. Look for misaligned elements, any gaps, or physical damage like scratches or dents. A brand-new laptop mustn’t exhibit any damage, as these issues can allow dust to enter and cause further problems. Confirm that all necessary components, such as rubber feet and screws, are intact and properly secured.
Next, assess the hinge. Open and close it to check if it moves smoothly without any sticking. While larger differences in hinge design may be noticeable between budget and premium models, a poorly functioning hinge should be apparent. Ensure that the hinge remains aligned, and that the display closes correctly against the casing.
Step 2: Now, check the screen. Utilize solid colors like white, black, and other hues to identify dead or stuck pixels. Dead pixels are a valid reason for a quick return, especially if the warranty doesn’t cover it. Look out for image quality problems such as banding or inconsistent color temperatures across the display. For non-OLED screens, inspect for light bleeding at the edges during boot-up.
Your display should function flawlessly; after all, it’s an element you’ll engage with every time you use your laptop.
Step 3: Then, assess the keyboard. Ensure each key functions without any sticking or looseness. Test keys in both standard and shifted states, including any function key variations. For backlit keyboards, check for even illumination across all keys, ensuring RGB lighting reacts appropriately.
Keyboard feel can vary widely across devices, so confirm that it meets your preferences, as this will be a frequently used component.
Step 4: Don’t ignore the touchpad. Verify it’s installed correctly and doesn’t wobble, and test the button clicks to ensure they work as intended. The entire touchpad should respond accurately to swipes and taps. As you press the touchpad, ensure no significant gaps appear between it and the chassis.
Step 5: Finally, check the audio quality. Play various audio tracks using your preferred service or app, and listen for distortion or static. While different laptops will have varying sound quality, you should not hear any noticeable playback issues.
Update Your Laptop
Start by updating your operating system right after setup. Whether you’re on Windows 11, MacOS, or Chrome OS, navigate to system settings and run the update utility until everything is up to date. If the laptop has a separate update application for drivers and firmware, run that as well. Finally, if applicable, check any Nvidia or AMD utilities to ensure your drivers are current.
You’ll be surprised how many initial issues can be fixed by simply making sure everything is updated.
Run Some Benchmarks
To identify potential inherent CPU issues, conduct stress tests using a program like Cinebench. Test both multicore and single-core performance; if the laptop crashes during these tests, it might indicate a deeper problem.
During the benchmarks, you should hear the fans ramping up. If they don’t, that could be a red flag. When the fans do run, pay attention to any unusual sounds. Consistent noise is acceptable, but if you hear buzzing or whirring that’s out of the ordinary, it could signal a malfunction.
For GPU testing, employ Unigene Heaven. This tool will stress both the CPU and GPU, potentially revealing any significant issues.
Alternative applications are available for stress testing, but those are beyond the scope of this guide.
Use Your Laptop Frequently
During the return period, make an effort to use your laptop extensively. Open your favorite applications, browse the internet, and perform speed tests to verify your Wi-Fi performance. Engage in some gaming, if that’s part of your usage. Generally, ensure that the laptop operates according to your expectations. Take note of any sluggishness or crashes you experience.
Many problems may not present themselves immediately, some only cropping up well after the return period concludes. Others might surface once the warranty expires. It’s crucial to use your laptop extensively during the return period to confirm whether it meets your needs.
Conduct Research
Before returning a laptop with issues, research to determine whether those problems are widespread. Solutions may already exist, or the manufacturer could be addressing known flaws. Understanding if your situation is common or unique allows for better-informed decisions.
Your research might reveal prevalent issues that typically manifest after the initial testing, which could sway your choice toward a different laptop without the same concerns.
Prior to returning the laptop, be sure to erase your data by restoring it to factory settings. This procedure will vary slightly depending on the operating system, be it Windows, Chrome OS, or macOS. Following this will ensure your data is secure and ready for the next user.
These steps should be completed before the return window closes. Whether or not to return the laptop ultimately depends on your personal criteria—after all, a minor aesthetic issue may be inconsequential if the laptop performs well. Each return and repurchase carries the risk of receiving a problematic unit again.
However, investing in a laptop is significant, and taking these precautions allows you to ensure it operates and looks as expected. Once the return period is over, you may find yourself relying on the warranty, which is certainly acceptable, but it’s always preferable to catch any issues early on.