How to Check If a Laptop Is Original in Nigeria

Short answer

Match the serial number on the sticker with the one inside the laptop's settings, check it on the manufacturer's warranty page, confirm the real processor, RAM and storage in the system settings, and check battery health, the screen, keyboard, ports and charger before you pay. A seller with nothing to hide will let you take 15 minutes to do this.

Before you go: know what you're buying

New: sealed box, full manufacturer warranty that you can check online.
UK-used / tokunbo (foreign-used): previously owned, often from offices abroad. Can be good value, but condition varies a lot, and the battery has usually seen years of use.
Refurbished: used, then checked and repaired. Ask exactly what was replaced and what warranty you get.

Decide what you need first (see how to choose a laptop), so you can't be talked into a "better" model that isn't.

Step 1: Serial number and warranty

Find the serial number on the sticker under the laptop (or under the battery on older models).
Turn the laptop on and find the serial number it reports (see below).
The two must match. Then enter the serial on the manufacturer's official warranty or coverage page (HP, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, Acer and Apple all have one). It should show the same model, and for a "new" laptop, a warranty that hasn't started long ago.

Windows: open PowerShell and run Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS (look for SerialNumber), or check the manufacturer's support app (HP Support Assistant, Dell SupportAssist, Lenovo Vantage).
Mac: Apple menu → About This Mac.

A mismatch, a scratched-off sticker, or a model that doesn't match the serial are reasons to walk away.

Step 2: Confirm the real specifications

Stickers and boxes can be swapped. Check inside the system:

Windows: Settings → System → About shows the processor and installed RAM. Task Manager → Performance shows the storage type (SSD or HDD) and size.
Mac: About This Mac shows the chip, memory and macOS version; System Information shows the storage.

Make sure the processor generation is what you were told (for example an "Intel Core i5-1135G7" is 11th generation; an "i5-6200U" is 6th generation, which is much older).

Step 3: Battery health

On a used laptop the battery is the part most likely to be worn.

Windows: run powercfg /batteryreport in Terminal and compare Full charge capacity with Design capacity.
Mac: System Information → Power shows the cycle count and condition.

A battery well below its design capacity will need replacing soon; factor that into the price. See laptop battery replacement.

Step 4: Physical checks (10 minutes)

Screen: open a plain white page and a plain black page full screen; look for dead pixels, bright patches, lines and yellow areas. Move the lid slowly; the picture shouldn't flicker.
Hinges: the lid should stay where you put it and not creak.
Keyboard and touchpad: type every key in Notepad; check the touchpad clicks.
Ports: test the charger, USB ports, HDMI and headphone jack with your own items.
Wi-Fi, camera, speakers and microphone: connect to your phone's hotspot, open the camera app and play a video.
Case: look for cracks, missing screws and signs of liquid (stains, sticky keys). A bulging case or lifting touchpad means a swollen battery.

Step 5: Software and licence

Windows should be activated: Settings → System → Activation. A genuine laptop normally has a licence built into the hardware.
Avoid laptops full of cracked software. Cracked programs are a common source of malware and ransomware, and are illegal to use for business.
The charger should be the correct one for the model (check the wattage and connector).

Red flags

The seller won't let you switch it on or check settings.
The serial number doesn't match, or the warranty page shows a different model.
"Core i7" on a sticker, but the system shows something else.
Price far below what similar laptops sell for.
No receipt, or a receipt without the seller's business name.

When to bring it in (or ask us first)

If you're not sure, ask a technician to check it with you before you pay. Or buy from a supplier who tests and sets up the laptop and supports you after the sale. See laptops and devices from ENB Technologies.

Buying a laptop?

Tell us your budget and what you'll use it for. We'll recommend genuine options, set it up and support you after the sale.

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Visit us: Yaba, Lagos · Owerri · +234 902 730 1128

Frequently asked questions

How can I verify that a laptop is original?

Check that the serial number on the sticker matches the one in the laptop's settings, enter it on the manufacturer's official warranty page, and confirm the processor, RAM and storage in the system settings.

Is it safe to buy a UK-used (tokunbo) laptop?

It can be good value if you check it carefully: serial and model match, real specs, battery health, screen, keyboard and ports. Budget for a battery replacement if its health is low, and buy from a seller who gives a receipt and support.

How do I check a laptop's battery health before buying?

On Windows, run powercfg /batteryreport and compare Full charge capacity with Design capacity. On a Mac, check the cycle count and condition in System Information → Power.

How do I know if Windows is genuine?

Go to Settings → System → Activation. It should say Windows is activated, normally with a digital licence linked to the hardware.

Written by the ENB Technologies repair & IT team, reviewed by our technicians. Published 9 October 2026.

ENB TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED (RC 7714368) repairs computers and supports businesses from offices in Yaba, Lagos and Owerri. This guide is general information; for your device, ask us for a diagnosis. How we write our guides.