Thinking of buying an M17x R3 on Craigslist!

Here is the item: Alienware M17x R3, 16GB, 640GB RAID-0, 1080p, Bluray - $1300 What questions should I ask and what should I focus on when testing out the laptop? Specs:
Alienware M17x R3 (Soft Touch, Nebula Red)
Windows 7 home premium (purchased 4/2011)

CPU: Intel Core i7 2720QM (quad core, 2.2GHz, turbo 3.3GHz, 6MB cache)
RAM: 16GB DDR3 1333MHz
Display: 17.3" 1080p WLED (1920x1080 resolution)
Video: 2GB AMD Radeon HD 6970M
Storage: 2x 320GB 7200RPM SATA3 drives (in RAID-0)
Optical: Slot-loading Blu-ray reader/DVD re-writer/CD re-writer
Video out: HDMI (1.4), Mini-DisplayPort, VGA
Video in: HDMI (1.3)
Connectivity: 1x eSATA, 2x USB3, 2x USB2, integrated 9-in-1 card reader, 4x audio jacks
Networking: Gigabit ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0
Lighting: 9-zone adjustable lighting system (choose from more than a dozen colors)
Power button, indicator lights, Alienware logo, 4 keyboard zones, touchpad, "headlights"

Thanks for your advice!

 

since its over a year old, does it have any warranty? if you could put about 500$ with it, you could get a new one with the 7970 in it. just a thought. ask for some programs to be installed when you look at it like pcmark vantage and 3dmark11. know what that setup should score and see if that machine is in the ballpark. also, if its possible, make sure its not stolen. ask the questions like why are you selling, ect.

 

Make sure they are willing to transfer ownership. Also, run some display tests to make sure that there are no stuck or dead pixels. I'd check the battery life indicator.

Also if you reboot is and hit F12 I believe it will take you to a screen that will allow you to do a brief system test. Should tell you basic functionality of the system.

Any accessories? Bags, cooling trays etc.

 

Amongst what was said here, be VERY VERY careful with who you do business with on CL. Too many scams take place on there. If they are unable to do an ownership transfer, cut bait and run.

 

I sold my r3 for $1160 on CL make sure he does a service tag transfer in front of you!!!! when you are making the trade... you can pay less than 1300 as I sold my R3 with similar specs minus the blu ray drive and plus 8gb hyper X ram for much less

 

I would take his advice about buying on craigs list. People get killed for football tickets on that stupid site. If they want to meet ask them to meet you at a police station.

As a side note you would be much happier if you waited and saved up the extra 300 or 400 to get a new one with a 7970m. Its so much faster then anything else out there right now. That and dell still has the 675 at $150 more then 7970M.