20-POINT INSPECTION · 5 CATEGORIES · NORTH ROCKS, SYDNEY

20 checks.
Zero shortcuts.

Every refurbished laptop, desktop and monitor goes through the same 20-point quality inspection before it ships. No exceptions, no fast-tracking — just the process, every time.

ISO 9001 certified NIST 800-88 data wipe 12-month warranty

Screen & display Keyboard & trackpad All ports tested Battery health 70%+ CPU stress test RAM verified NIST 800-88 data wipe Windows 11 Pro BIOS updated Cosmetic grading Screen & display Keyboard & trackpad All ports tested Battery health 70%+ CPU stress test RAM verified NIST 800-88 data wipe Windows 11 Pro BIOS updated Cosmetic grading

THE 20-POINT PROCESS

5 categories. 20 checks.

Every device passes through the same sequence — visual, hardware, software, security, final sign-off. If it fails any step, it goes back or gets recycled.

1. Visual & Cosmetic

Screen for dead pixels and scratches. Keyboard key-by-key. Trackpad responsiveness. Every port inspected for physical damage. Hinges, chassis, palm rest — all checked and graded.

2. Hardware Testing

Power-on and POST verification. Charger output tested. SSD/HDD health scan. RAM seated and verified. CPU stress test under load. Battery health must be 70%+ minimum.

3. Software & Performance

Clean Windows 11 Pro install. All drivers updated. BIOS updated to latest. WiFi, Bluetooth, webcam, microphone, speakers — each tested individually.

4. Data Security

Software-based overwrite aligned to NIST 800-88. Every drive wiped — no exceptions. Most devices ship with brand-new SSDs. Your data is never someone else’s problem.

5. Final Sign-Off

Cosmetic grade assigned — Premium, Excellent, Good, or Acceptable. Device cleaned, packaged, and signed off by a technician. 12-month warranty applied. Ready to ship.

What if it fails?

Devices that don’t meet our standard get repaired and retested — or rejected entirely. We’d rather recycle a device than sell one that isn’t right.

ALL 20 CHECKS

Every check, explained.

Here’s exactly what happens at each step. Same process, same order, every device.

Screen Test. Full pixel scan for dead pixels, backlight bleed, discolouration, and scratches. Display tested at multiple brightness levels.

Visual & Cosmetic

CHECK 1 of 20

Keyboard Test. Every key tested individually — function keys, modifiers, special keys. Backlighting checked where fitted.

Visual & Cosmetic

CHECK 2 of 20

Trackpad & Pointing. Multi-touch gestures, click response, tracking accuracy. External mouse ports tested alongside.

Visual & Cosmetic

CHECK 3 of 20

Ports & Connections. Every USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, and audio port individually tested with live devices. Damaged ports = fail.

Visual & Cosmetic

CHECK 4 of 20

Power-On & POST. Cold boot verified. BIOS POST codes checked. Boot time measured. Any boot errors = immediate fail.

HardwareCRITICAL

CHECK 5 of 20

Charger & Power. Charger output voltage and amperage verified. Battery charging confirmed. Power delivery under load tested.

Hardware

CHECK 6 of 20

BIOS & Firmware. BIOS version checked and updated. Firmware integrity verified. No password locks, no management locks.

Hardware

CHECK 7 of 20

Storage Health. SSD/HDD SMART data checked. Drive health percentage verified. Bad sectors = drive replaced. Most devices get brand-new SSDs.

HardwareCRITICAL

CHECK 8 of 20

RAM Test. Memory seated and verified. Full memtest pass. Capacity matches listing. Faulty modules replaced.

Hardware

CHECK 9 of 20

CPU Stress Test. Processor tested under sustained load. Thermal throttling monitored. Abnormal temperatures = fail pending investigation.

HardwareCRITICAL

CHECK 10 of 20

Battery Health. Battery capacity tested — minimum 70% of original design capacity required. Health percentage recorded and matched to grade.

HardwareCRITICAL

CHECK 11 of 20

Battery Discharge. Real-world discharge test. Runtime measured under typical use conditions. Confirms battery health reading is accurate.

Hardware

CHECK 12 of 20

CMOS & Motherboard. CMOS battery checked. Motherboard inspected for corrosion, swollen capacitors, or burn marks. Board-level faults = reject.

Hardware

CHECK 13 of 20

Webcam, Mic & Speakers. Camera image quality tested. Microphone audio capture verified. Speakers tested at multiple volumes.

Software & Peripherals

CHECK 14 of 20

WiFi & Bluetooth. Wireless connectivity tested on 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Bluetooth pairing verified. Signal strength compared to baseline.

Software & Peripherals

CHECK 15 of 20

Optical & SIM. Optical drive tested where fitted. SIM card slot verified on WWAN-equipped models. Not all devices have these — tested when present.

Software & Peripherals

CHECK 16 of 20

Drivers & Updates. All device drivers updated. Windows Update run to completion. No pending updates at time of shipping.

Software

CHECK 17 of 20

Data Wipe. Full software-based overwrite aligned to NIST 800-88 guidelines. Applies to all storage media. No data from previous owners remains.

Data SecurityCRITICAL

CHECK 18 of 20

Clean & Grade. Device professionally cleaned. Cosmetic condition graded: Premium, Excellent, Good, or Acceptable. Grade recorded in listing.

Final Quality

CHECK 19 of 20

Package & Sign-Off. Packaged securely. Technician signs off. 12-month warranty applied. Tracking number generated. Ready to ship — free, insured, Australia-wide.

Final QualitySHIPPED

CHECK 20 of 20

COMPARE THE DIFFERENCE

How CLS testing compares.

Factor	CLS	Typical Marketplace	Manufacturer Refurb
Structured inspection	✓ 20-point across 5 categories	Often informal	Yes, limited scope
Data wipe verification	✓ NIST 800-88 aligned	Rarely verified	Usually performed
Battery threshold	✓ Below 70% replaced	Rarely checked	Often replaced
Grading system	✓ 4-tier published	Undisclosed	Limited options
Warranty	✓ 12-Month Warranty	30–90 days or none	Usually 12 months
Physical store	✓ North Rocks + AU-wide	Online only	Mail-in only
Quality standards	✓ ISO 9001/14001/45001/27001	None	Internal only
Google rating	✓ 5.0 (420+ reviews)	—	—

BY THE NUMBERS

14 years. 4 ISO certifications. Zero shortcuts.

INSPECTION

Point quality check

DEVICES TESTED

210,000+

Since 2011 · Sydney

70%+

Min. battery health

ISO certifications

Month warranty

20-point inspection · 4-tier grading · NIST 800-88 wipe · ISO 9001 + 14001 + 45001 + 27001

TESTED. GRADED. WARRANTED.

See what passed inspection today.

Every laptop and desktop in our store has been through the same 20-point process. Browse by category, brand, or budget. Visit our North Rocks, Sydney showroom or shop online — free shipping Australia-wide.

Shop refurbished laptops

FAQ

Questions, answered.

How do you test battery health?

We measure the battery’s current capacity against its original design capacity. Every battery must hold at least 70% of its original capacity to pass. We also run a real-world discharge test to confirm the reading is accurate — not just a software number. Battery health is matched to the device’s cosmetic grade: Premium grade devices have 80-100% battery health.

Do you test every port on every device?

Yes. Every USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, audio, and card reader port is individually tested with a live device. If any port is damaged or non-functional, the device either gets repaired or rejected. We don’t sell devices with known port issues.

How is previous data removed?

We use a software-based overwrite process aligned to NIST 800-88 guidelines. This applies to every storage device — SSD and HDD. Most of our devices ship with brand-new SSDs, so previous data isn’t a factor. We don’t provide wipe certificates to individual customers, but the process is standardised across every device.

What do the condition grades mean?

We use four grades: Premium (like-new, 80-100% battery), Excellent (minor marks, 70-100%), Good (visible wear, 70-100%), and Acceptable (heavy wear, 70-100%). All grades receive the same 20-point inspection and the same 12-month warranty. The grade only describes cosmetic condition — not performance. Full details on our grading page.

What operating system do refurbished devices come with?

All devices come with Windows 11 Pro freshly installed. All drivers are updated and Windows Update is run to completion before shipping.

What does the 12-month warranty cover?

12 months on laptops, desktops, and monitors. 6 months on accessories. 1 month on batteries and chargers. If something fails under warranty, we pay for shipping both ways — you don’t cover return postage. Full details on our warranty page.

What ISO certifications does CLS hold?

CLS operates under four ISO certifications via parent company ITC Solutions Australia: ISO 9001:2015 (quality management), ISO 14001:2015 (environmental), ISO 45001:2018 (workplace safety), and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (information security). These certifications cover the testing, refurbishment, and data handling processes.

How long does testing take per device?

The full 20-point inspection takes approximately 45-60 minutes per device, depending on the model and any issues found. Battery discharge testing adds additional time. We don’t rush the process — if a device needs more attention, it gets it.

LAST UPDATED · APR 2026 · PROCESS: ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED

★ Shop tested laptops

20 checks. Zero shortcuts.

1. Visual & Cosmetic

2. Hardware Testing

3. Software & Performance

4. Data Security

5. Final Sign-Off

What if it fails?

See what passed inspection today.

Related

20 checks.
Zero shortcuts.