Grade A vs Grade B: what to expect – Australian Computer Traders

The grade describes cosmetic condition and battery health only. Every grade is fully tested, performs the same, and has the same 12-month warranty.

Laptops, desktops and all-in-ones

	Grade A	Grade B (Value+)
Overall	Great condition, minor signs of use	Good condition, moderate signs of use
Screen	Up to 2 minor scratches, invisible when powered on	Moderate marks or imprints, invisible when powered on
Body	Faint discolouration, up to 5 dents not visible from 30 cm, scuffs under 5 cm	Up to 5 visible dents, moderate scratches
Keyboard	Readable key prints	Readable, with moderate signs of use
Battery	80% or higher	50% to 79%

Phones and tablets

Grade	Body	Screen
Very Good	Light, normal signs of use; minor marks visible only at some angles	Up to 3 hairline marks you can't feel with a fingernail, invisible when the screen is on
Good	Clearer signs of use, moderate scratches or small dings	Up to 3 short light scratches or 1 longer light mark
Fair	Heavier wear: noticeable scratches, scuffs and small dings	Several light scratches, no cracks or pressure marks

Every device, whatever its grade

Passes a full hardware test: ports, keyboard, trackpad, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, camera, speakers, microphone and fingerprint or face unlock.
Is securely wiped, with a fresh licensed operating system.
Starts as new with no previous user accounts, and is free of activation, iCloud, BIOS and management locks.
Has no cracks, loose panels or faulty hinges. A few minor dead pixels are acceptable within the grade.

Devices that fail these checks are never sold. They're recycled or used for parts.

Photos: we can't send photos of an individual unit. Listing photos show a typical unit of that grade, and yours will fall within the same standard.

Vinyl skins

Some laptops have a vinyl skin applied to restore their appearance.

What it is: a thin, fitted adhesive vinyl cover applied by our technicians, usually to the lid and sometimes to the palm rest.
Why we use it: it covers minor scratches, scuffs and wear so the laptop meets the Grade A or Grade B cosmetic standard, with a clean, even finish.
What it doesn't change: performance, battery health, heat or your warranty. Ports, vents, the camera and the keyboard are left uncovered.
Care: wipe it with a soft, slightly damp microfibre cloth. Please don't peel it off, as the surface underneath will show the wear it covers.

Products are Grade A unless the listing says otherwise. Grade B items are in our Value+ range.