Our industry leading refurbishment and quality assurance (QA) process goes far beyond a basic functional test. Every refurbished computer we sell at hungryPC including all laptops and desktop PCs go through the same 50 point check list over a minimum 48-hour QA process. Not a quick once-over. A proper shakedown.
Inside a laptop during renewal. The cooling fan, NVMe SSD and battery are all checked, cleaned and tested before the machine goes anywhere near a customer.
Here is the difference that matters. Confirming a part exists, or that Windows detects it, can be done by anyone, takes only a few seconds and tells you almost nothing. A failing battery still gets detected. A dying drive still shows up. Memory that corrupts your files under pressure still reports the right capacity.
So we do not simply check that things are there. We use them, hard, for two days. We run the processor flat out using industry leading stress testing software and watch the temperatures. We run the battery down and record the real duration in real-world use scenarios. We even leave the machine working overnight, because hidden faults that could ruin your first week tend to appear in hour nine, not minute one.
These machines come to us working. By primarily stocking and sourcing corporate ex-lease gear, from clean, working managed environments we know these devices were designed for the rigours of business and are usually high end, flagship models that still have years of life left. Our job is to renew and grade them properly to bring you the best possible value. This is what that involves.
data SANITIZATION and SECURITY Checks 1 to 5
| # | Check | What we actually do |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Full Secure Drive Erasure and Sanitization | Every drive is securely erased to the internationally recognised NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2 guidelines for media sanitization on dedicated erasure equipment, before any other work starts. The complete post-sanitisation readable media state is verified with a full-device read-back and SHA-256 hash verification. No recoverable trace of any previous user’s data, software or even malware remains. The resulting drive is verified clean and proven fully functional. |
| 02 | Erasure certificate issued | A certificate is produced for each drive and matched to that drive’s own serial number, then kept on file for reference and compliance with data privacy requirements. |
| 03 | Drive health verified | The drive’s internal health (SMART values, NVMe self-test / ATA extended test, plus SSD percentage-used and media-error examination) is read and checked against a full-disk read back verification before it earns a place in a build. Failing drives simply do not go in and instead get replaced. |
| 04 | Fresh Operating System Installed | Never Cloned or Bulk Imaged. Clean-installed on an empty drive from genuine Microsoft-sourced installation media, fully up to date and scanned clean. Never a copy of somebody else’s software, so nothing is carried over. |
| 05 | Drive re-checked at the end | Health is verified a second time at final sign-off, after the drive has been written to and worked hard for two days. |
Inside the machine Checks 6 to 10
| # | Check | What we actually do |
|---|---|---|
| 06 | Opened and inspected, all components including Motherboard, SSD, RAM | Every machine is opened up and inspected internally. Not judged from the outside. A machine that looks great on the outside can be hiding liquid damage internally, or even burned components from power surges. |
| 07 | Deep cleaned inside, thermal servicing | We use dry, triple filtered high pressure air systems to inspect and clean the Heatsink, fans and vents of any dust or debris that can quietly destroy a device if left untouched. This step can drastically extend the lifespan of many components. Cooling fans are immobilised during high pressure cleaning to prevent overspeed or bearing damage. |
| 08 | Cooling verified after cleaning | We put the machine under load and confirm sensible operating temperatures and ensure that the system has no overheating issues, under various scenarios. Failing fans are replaced and degraded thermal compound is renewed where required to ensure efficient operation. |
| 09 | Worn parts replaced or upgraded | Components that are tired or holding the machine back are replaced or upgraded, so it ships with a genuine new lease of life. Even small things like CMOS batteries are often replaced to ensure longevity. |
| 10 | Physical Inspection and Grading | Physical aspects such as chassis / casing, screen surrounds and every physical connector is checked for damage or blemishes, noted for cosmetic and functional grading results. |
Memory and processor Checks 11 to 15
| # | Check | What we actually do |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Memory endurance tested | A full diagnostic run over a minimum of 4 complete passes of Memtest86+, taking hours rather than minutes. This is where memory that looks fine on the surface shows its true reliability. Memtest86+ is a stand-alone, open source memory testing software that uses various algorithms to reliably detect failures that cause most common crashes, freezes and instabilities. |
| 12 | Zero errors permitted and confirmed | Not “a few is normal”. A single memory-test error does not meet our criteria over 4 passes. Any faulty RAM modules are replaced, then the complete memory test is repeated from the beginning. Because memory (RAM) faults corrupt your files silently and cause intermittent instability issues. |
| 13 | Every module identified | Each stick is identified individually and recorded in our database for performance auditing and comparison. |
| 14 | Processor stability tested under sustained and varying loads | CPU is set to run varied, repeated sustained loads throughout the entire process with a minimum one-hour 100% load stress test, not simply detected or held at a particular load. Instability or failing cooling systems show up here, not on your desk. |
| 15 | Temperatures watched | We monitor temperatures right through Processor load and confirm the machine performs correctly without crashing or freezing. |
Screen, graphics and sound Checks 16 to 24
| # | Check | What we actually do |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Graphics stress tested | Dedicated graphics and VRAM are put under sustained load where fitted, not just listed on the spec sheet. Using FurMark and the Unigine Heaven benchmark we test and record FPS to show an indication of performance. |
| 17 | Graphics temperatures monitored | Watched throughout the testing process, a GPU that overheats under pressure is caught here before it reaches you. |
| 18 | Screen inspected properly | Brightness, uniformity and visible defects checked across the whole panel. Any notable defects are clearly mentioned in the grading description. Screen resolution set optimally and reported for the spec sheet. |
| 19 | At least one full hour of video playback | Continuous playback with picture and sound together. Real-world use, long enough for flicker, dropouts and audio faults to appear. |
| 20 | Every video output tested | HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI or VGA where fitted, each tested on a live display. |
| 21 | Speakers tested | With real audio through the full hour of playback, not a one second test tone. |
| 22 | Headphone jack tested | Headphones physically plugged in, detection confirmed and sound checked. |
| 23 | Microphone tested | Live audio levels confirmed, so it is ready for calls out of the box. |
| 24 | Webcam tested | We inspect the Webcam’s live video output ensuring a real video feed can be used. A camera can be detected perfectly and still produce nothing. |
Power and battery Checks 25 to 32
| # | Check | What we actually do |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Battery charge and discharge test | We charge and discharge the battery under genuine use and record the actual runtime. Anyone can confirm a battery is detected and its supposed health rating. We tell you how long it is actually likely to last. |
| 26 | Physical Battery Inspection | Before and after cycling the battery we inspect to ensure it does not show any signs of physical failure such as battery swelling that would indicate an unhealthy or potentially dangerous battery. |
| 27 | Battery health graded or Battery replaced | The grade goes on the listing before you buy, so there are no surprises when it arrives. If the battery falls below our standard it is replaced, or for those who want a new battery regardless, these can be optionally replaced at purchase time. |
| 28 | Charging verified over several hours | Confirmed across real charge cycles through the build, not a quick plug-in test. |
| 29 | Power / charging connector | The socket itself is plugged, unplugged and loaded constantly through two days of building and testing, so a worn or loose connector gives itself away here rather than three weeks after it reaches you. |
| 30 | Correct Rated, NZ Compliant Charger / Mains Lead Supplied | Matched to the machine, tested with it, and labelled so you always know which charger belongs to which device. We don’t just hand you a spare charger out of a bin, we give you the very charger and/or mains lead that was used and tested with your device, guaranteed and compliant with applicable New Zealand electrical safety requirements. |
| 31 | Sleep, wake and shutdown tested | Lids closed and reopened, slept and woken. Rebooted and shut down multiple times from cold and warm startup. |
| 32 | Power settings tuned | Configured for real battery life in everyday use, optimized for a balance of performance and longevity. |
Connections Checks 33 to 38
| # | Check | What we actually do |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Wi-Fi tested live | A real scan with networks found, signal strength checked and connections made. |
| 34 | Bluetooth tested | Confirmed working, ready for your mouse, headphones or phone. |
| 35 | Ethernet tested | Cable in, link up, address obtained. Confirmed on a live network. |
| 36 | Every USB port tested | Each port individually tested one by one. |
| 37 | USB-C and Thunderbolt confirmed | We confirm the port can actually do what it should, including data and charging capability where fitted. |
| 38 | Card readers and legacy ports | SD and microSD readers, plus older connections like VGA and serial, tested where the machine has them. |
Everything you touch Checks 39 to 43
| # | Check | What we actually do |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Every single key typed | Not “the keyboard works”. Every key is physically pressed and verified, one key at a time, on every machine. If a key is sticky or hard to press, it won’t pass. |
| 40 | Keyboard backlight tested | Where fitted, including the brightness levels and toggles. |
| 41 | Function keys tested | Volume, brightness and media controls, which depend on drivers being right and configured correctly. |
| 42 | Trackpad tested | Tracking, clicking, all checked by hand across hours of the QA process. |
| 43 | Touchscreen tested | Where fitted, checked for accurate response across the panel, and throughout different hinge positions. |
Windows, drivers and security Checks 44 to 50
| # | Check | What we actually do |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Genuine Windows Activation Check | Verified genuine and properly activated before it leaves us. Microsoft Digital Licence Activation completed on all applicable machines. |
| 45 | Fully updated, then re-checked | All applicable and compatible security, quality, driver and manufacturer-recommended updates are installed, then checked again repeatedly through the build, because updates arrive in waves and one pass never finishes the job. |
| 46 | Manufacturer drivers applied | Using the manufacturer’s own update tools for your exact model, run in multiple rounds until nothing is left outstanding. This ensures you can enjoy your machine as intended by the manufacturer. |
| 47 | Firmware and BIOS updated | Brought current where the manufacturer provides an update, which is where stability and battery fixes often live. |
| 48 | Security chip and Secure Boot verified | TPM and Secure Boot confirmed, the modern requirements for a secure and supported Windows machine. |
| 49 | Windows 11 eligibility stated honestly | If a processor is not officially supported for Windows 11, we say so plainly on the listing rather than leaving you to discover it later. |
| 50 | Final Specification & Listing Audit | All specifications including Serials, CPU, RAM, storage, graphics, screen resolution, Windows edition, battery grade, physical grade and fitted features are individually recorded in our database, then checked against the individual sales listing before final sign-off. Chrome Browser is installed and Windows Defender Antivirus is enabled and updated, so the machine is useful from the first time you open the box. |
Whilst this list serves to show the 50 most crucial steps in our refurbishment, it is not an exhaustive list and varies depending on the particular device at hand. The checklist is grouped for readability and is not necessarily performed in numerical order. With over a decade of experience in providing quality refurbished computers since 2016, there are many other small tweaks and tricks we implement that make our devices stand out from the rest.
Some of these additional steps include BIOS/UEFI setting optimization and ensuring BIOS/UEFI security locks and previous corporate management states are also checked, including Windows Autopilot/MDM provisioning where applicable. Various software and driver compatibility optimizations and internal device or hardware tweaks that are specifically designed to solve the most common issues with particular makes and models including hinge operation, internal cable connections and mounting hardware. We take a hands on approach to individually make each computer better for our customers.
Real-World Operational Testing for Several Hours, Not Minutes.
This is the part that takes time, and the part that catches what a typical testing checklist never will. Once everything above passes, the machine is left working in real world scenarios for several hours as a mandatory final stage. Utilizing our in-house Primer QA automated soak-testing and monitoring system, we are able to run your machine under observation for hours, with any potential issues flagged to us for our technicians to resolve before the device is ever offered for sale.
It is not sitting idle. Through day and night the device keeps completing tasks, checking for updates, playing video, and even restarting itself over and over. Only after that real-world soak test does the machine get its final verification with specifications confirmed against the listing you buy from, condition graded honestly against our published grading guide, then cleaned and presented for its new life in your hands.
Our 48 Hour Process is Designed to Catch Problems Such As…
- Freezes and crashes that only appear after hours
- Faults that show up on the 6th restart, not the first
- Overheating that builds up gradually
- Background failures you would not notice until week two
- Machines that will not start up reliably
- Intermittent problems that need time to surface
What comes with your Refurbished Windows Laptop or Desktop Computer
Ultimately testing is only worth something if you can see and feel the results. Thorough refurbishment, honest grading, transparent testing methods and sustainable upgrades are what set our machines apart from the rest. Get more for your money in quality and performance.
Your printed test report
A report specific to your machine, listing what was tested and what it scored, printed and included in the box. Not a generic leaflet.
Its own asset ID
Every machine gets a unique ID and a full archived record of its build and testing, so we can look up your exact device years later.
Certified sanitisation record
Any previous data was sanitised under our NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2-aligned process, with a certificate held against that drive’s serial number.
Warranty and aftercare
Backed by warranty, with our free two year Repair Discount of half price labour on servicing, and support from real people in New Zealand.
48 Hours of QA. That is the difference between simply testing a machine and properly renewing one. It takes hungryPC a minimum of two days per device, and it is the reason our machines arrive working properly and keep working reliably, with great performance now, and in the future.
Verified, Documented & Traceable
Throughout the entire QA process, our system keeps a record of each testing phase with results, specifications and serial numbers of the device and all of its associated hardware components. Each machine is fully documented in our database providing a detailed, accurate, traceable report of the system’s state and specification at the time of testing, ensuring you get exactly what you paid for, every time.
Every drive we sanitise additionally generates its own serial-number-matched Certificate of Media Sanitisation, recording the erase method, verification results, SHA-256 hash, drive health, timestamps and audit trail. This gives us a permanent, traceable record showing exactly how each drive was sanitised and verified before being approved for reuse.
Questions we get asked
How are refurbished laptops tested before they are sold?
Is the previous owner’s data really gone?
Do you replace the battery in a refurbished laptop?
Why does the testing take 48 hours?
Do I get proof that my machine was tested?
What happens if a machine fails one of the checks?
This page describes the hungryPC quality assurance process as at August 2026. Last reviewed August 2026.
*A machine is a Desktop or Laptop that is refurbished to the HPC Certified Standard. The 50 Point Checklist is designed to cater to the vast majority of devices we renew, some tests will not be applicable to certain devices, the entire list is exhausted to the full extent of the devices capabilities at testing time.