How to check Computer Age?

[johnsteave77]

How to check what is age of Computer? When did It installed it for the first time? I am in search of this because I am going to buy a second hand laptop and I wanna check it's orignal date.

 

[fivenotrump]

You can check the serial number on several sites, inter alia on http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

There is no reliable way to check when it was first installed.

 

[esbardu]

If the HDD has not been replaced you can check overall usage. As an example, I have just bought a 2006 Mac Mini and I have found out that it has only been used 300 days with an overall usage of less than 1.000 hours.
But you need access to the laptop to check this, you can use DriveDX to check these values.
It's not what you are asking for but maybe it could help you.

 

[velocityg4]

Since this is in alternatives to Mac hardware. You'll have to see if there is some serial number translator for whatever brand you are interested in.

Other than that manufacturers typically switch up models frequently. So, if you look up the full model number. You'll likely know about when it was built. At least within 6 months to a year depending on the model.

I'd be more worried about the physical condition of the laptop, battery health and the laptop's specs than the actual age. Those are far more important indicators of whether or not it'll be reliable and meet your needs.

 

[johnsteave77]

You can check the serial number on several sites, inter alia on http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

There is no reliable way to check when it was first installed.

Alright let me check it.

 

[esbardu]

Since this is in alternatives to Mac hardware. You'll have to see if there is some serial number translator for whatever brand you are interested in.

Other than that manufacturers typically switch up models frequently. So, if you look up the full model number. You'll likely know about when it was built. At least within 6 months to a year depending on the model.

I'd be more worried about the physical condition of the laptop, battery health and the laptop's specs than the actual age. Those are far more important indicators of whether or not it'll be reliable and meet your needs.

You are right, nevertheless checking HDD usage is also a good option if the HDD is still the original one, for non Apple HW there are several alternatives like CrystalDiskInfo.

 

[Bodhitree]

I generally look at the model number of the cpu, do an internet search for when it was first manufactured, and assume that as a date of first use.

 

[romanof]

I generally look at the model number of the cpu, do an internet search for when it was first manufactured, and assume that as a date of first use.

You are correct. I just did a major upgrade to my favorite PC (Speed bump from 3 to 5 mhz) and retrieved the old processor to give it a look. 1977 as opposed to the new one - 1979. Really fast now.