I've read that a laptop is one item you DON'T want to purchased used. As this article (http://articles.moneycentral. msn.com/SavingandDebt/FindDeal sOnline/10ThingsYouShouldNever BuyUsed.aspx) notes, "They're more likely to be dropped, banged around and spilled on, simply because they're out in the world while a desktop computer sits (mostly) safe at home."