If I have a serial number for a laptop, is there a way to find out the manufacturer?

[DianeD47]

This may sound like a strange question, but a customer of mine wants to add his college student's leased laptop to his insurance policy, and he didn't know what brand it is, only the serial number.

 

[COLGeek]

How about you just ask the student? A text or email should resolve quickly.

 

[reedo_43]

How could he not know?????

 

[Prostar Computer]

Often times the OEM will put their logo/branding in the 'Computer' section of the laptop, where system information is. Or if there's a model number on the bottom, have them plug that into a search engine.

Serial numbers are often for internal records, not so much end-user reference. But he can still try leading off of that, I suppose.

 

[USAFRet]

There is no logo on the case? No sticker on the bottom, with serial number and brand?
I don't believe I've ever seen a laptop that did not have the manufacturer name on it somewhere very visible.

Looking around my living room, of the dozens of electronic doodads....almost every single one of them has the brand displayed.

 

[Prostar Computer]

There is no logo on the case? No sticker on the bottom, with serial number and brand?
I don't believe I've ever seen a laptop that did not have the manufacturer name on it somewhere very visible.

Looking around my living room, of the dozens of electronic doodads....almost every single one of them has the brand displayed.

Some OEMs will sell systems as barebones units, in which case there is no physical branding. Those generally appeal to a very small niche of end users, though.

 

[USAFRet]

There is no logo on the case? No sticker on the bottom, with serial number and brand?
I don't believe I've ever seen a laptop that did not have the manufacturer name on it somewhere very visible.

Looking around my living room, of the dozens of electronic doodads....almost every single one of them has the brand displayed.

Some OEMs will sell systems as barebones units, in which case there is no physical branding. Those generally appeal to a very small niche of end users, though.

Sure. But a laptop?

 

[mbarnes86]

HI

Running cpu-z or similar will tell you motherboard make and model

Which may give a clue

Regards
Mike Barnes

 

[reedo_43]

Or boot it up to a branded splash screen during post?

 

[Prostar Computer]

Sure. But a laptop?

Yep. We sell barebones laptops with no branding ─ mostly to dealers, although in rare circumstances an end-user will request no logo or branding of any kind.

Or boot it up to a branded splash screen during post?

This is logical as long as it's not, again, a barebones laptop. Those with no branding or logo of any kind even omit the OEM's logo from the BIOS splash.