Our Grading System
What Does Grade A, B or C Actually Mean?
Every laptop we sell is graded before it reaches you. This page explains exactly what each grade means — so you know what to expect before you buy.
Grade A — Excellent Condition
Like new in appearance. Ideal for those who want the best.
A Grade A laptop looks almost brand new. The screen has no marks or scratches you'd notice during everyday use. The lid and base show very little sign that the laptop has been used before.
These machines have been professionally cleaned, had a fresh copy of Windows installed, and tested to make sure everything works perfectly. The keyboard keys are all present, clear, and responsive.
If you're buying a laptop as a gift, or you simply want something that looks and feels new without the new price, Grade A is the right choice for you.
What to expect
- Screen with no visible scratches or marks
- Clean chassis with minimal or no scuffs
- All keys present and working perfectly
- No dents, cracks, or broken hinges
- Fresh Windows installation
- Fully tested — everything works
Clean screen
Like-new keyboard
Minimal wear
Illustrative images, not the actual device — each laptop's real condition is shown on its own product page.
Grade B — Good Condition
Light signs of previous use. Still looks great day to day.
A Grade B laptop has been used before and shows it — but only just. You might notice light scratches on the lid, a small scuff on the base, or faint marks on the screen when the light catches it at a certain angle.
These are purely cosmetic marks. Everything works exactly as it should. The performance is identical to a Grade A laptop — the only difference is the appearance.
Grade B is our most popular choice. You get a reliable, fully tested machine at a noticeably lower price than Grade A. Most people find they stop noticing the minor marks within a day or two.
What to expect
- Light scratches on the lid or base
- Possible faint screen marks (visible at an angle)
- All keys present and working well
- No cracks, broken hinges, or structural damage
- Fresh Windows installation
- Fully tested — everything works
- Not quite as pristine-looking as Grade A
Light lid scratches
Minor scuffs
Normal use wear
Illustrative images, not the actual device — each laptop's real condition is shown on its own product page.
Grade C — Fair Condition
Clearly used. Cosmetic wear is visible but everything works.
A Grade C laptop has visible signs of use — scratches, scuffs, or marks that you'd notice straight away. There may be wear on the keyboard, deeper scratches on the lid, or small dents on the corners.
Cosmetic wear aside, these machines perform exactly the same as Grade A or B. They've been tested just as carefully, cleaned, and given a fresh installation of Windows.
Grade C is a great option if you need a working laptop on a tight budget and aren't worried about how it looks — for a child's homework, a spare around the house, or learning something new.
What to expect
- All ports, keyboard, and touchpad work correctly
- Screen works perfectly (no dead pixels or cracks)
- Fresh Windows installation
- Fully tested — everything functions as it should
- Visible scratches, scuffs, or wear marks
- Possible corner dents or surface marks
- May have key legends slightly faded
Visible scratches
Corner wear
Heavy use signs
Illustrative images, not the actual device — each laptop's real condition is shown on its own product page.
A note about batteries
Battery condition isn't tied to cosmetic grade — a Grade C laptop can have a perfectly healthy battery, and vice versa. If you'd like to know a particular laptop's battery health before you buy, just ask and we'll find out for you. And if a battery develops a genuine fault during your warranty, you're covered.
Quick Comparison
How each grade typically looks across the key areas we inspect.
| What we check | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | No marks | Faint marks | Possible light scratches |
| Lid / Top cover | Pristine or near-pristine | Light scuffs | Clearly scratched |
| Base / Underside | Minimal marks | Some scuffs | Visible wear |
| Keyboard | No wear on keys | Minimal key wear | Light legends may fade |
| Corners & edges | Sharp, no dents | Possibly light dings | Small dents possible |
| Battery | Good health | Good health | Good health |
| All ports & functions | Fully working | Fully working | Fully working |
| Windows installation | Fresh install | Fresh install | Fresh install |
Choose Grade A if…
You want it to look brand new, you're buying it as a gift, or you simply prefer the best-looking option and are happy to pay a little more.
Browse Grade A →Choose Grade B if…
You want a great balance of price and condition. Small cosmetic marks won't bother you, and you'd rather save money on something that works just as well.
Browse Grade B →Choose Grade C if…
You need a working laptop on a tight budget. Appearances don't matter to you — a spare machine, a kid's first laptop, or something just for email and browsing.
Browse Grade C →