Before you buy any replacement part for your laptop, whether it is a screen, a keyboard, a battery or a charger, there is one thing you need to get right first: your laptop's exact model number.
Not "a Lenovo." Not "a 15 inch HP." The exact model.
This is the single most important step, and it is also the one most people skip. At Prime Laptop Parts we see it all the time. Someone orders a part that looks right, but their laptop is a slightly different version, and now the part does not fit. Getting the model number right the first time saves you money, time, and the hassle of a return.
Here is how to find it, on any brand, in a few minutes.
Method 1: Check the Sticker on the Bottom
The fastest way is usually the label on the base of your laptop. Turn the laptop off, flip it over, and look for a sticker.
You are looking for the model name or number, not the marketing name on the lid. The sticker usually lists the brand, the model, a serial number, and sometimes a product or part number. Take a clear photo of this sticker with your phone. That photo alone often has everything we need to find your correct part.
If the sticker is worn off or unreadable (common on older machines that have been handled a lot), move on to the next method.
Method 2: Use Windows System Information
If the laptop still turns on, Windows can tell you exactly what it is.
- Press the Windows key + R at the same time.
- Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
- Look at the line that says System Model and System Manufacturer.
This gives you the manufacturer and the model straight from the machine itself. It is accurate and it cannot be worn off like a sticker. Write it down or screenshot it.
Method 3: The Brand-Specific IDs (This Is the Important One)
Every major brand has its own way of identifying the exact machine. This is what actually matters when ordering parts, because two laptops can look identical but be different underneath. Here is where to find the right code for each brand.
Dell: The Service Tag
Dell uses a Service Tag, a short code of letters and numbers (usually 7 characters).
You will find it on the bottom sticker, labelled "Service Tag" or "ST." You can also find it by typing msinfo32 as above, or in the Dell Support app if it is installed. The Service Tag is gold. With it, Dell can tell you the exact configuration your machine left the factory with, which means we can match the exact part.
HP: The Product Number
HP model names on the lid (like "HP 250" or "HP Pavilion") are not enough on their own, because there are many versions of each.
What you need is the Product Number, sometimes labelled "P/N" or "Product." It is on the bottom sticker. It is a short code, often ending in a hash and a few characters (for example, something like "1A2B3C#ABU"). The Product Number pins down the exact model. The screen size and generation ("G8", "G9") also matter, so note those too.
Lenovo: The Machine Type (MTM)
Lenovo uses a Machine Type Model, usually shortened to MTM or "Type."
On the bottom sticker, look for "Type" followed by a code like "20XY0012." That code identifies the exact machine. Lenovo ThinkPads also usually have the model printed near the screen hinge or on the palm rest (for example "ThinkPad T14 Gen 3"), and the generation matters a lot, so always include it.
Asus and Acer
Asus and Acer print the model on the bottom sticker too. For Asus, look for a model starting with letters like "X," "K," "UX" or "TUF" followed by numbers. For Acer, look for the model line (Aspire, Swift, Nitro) followed by a code like "A315-58." The full code, not just the family name, is what you need.
Why the Exact Model Matters So Much
You might be wondering why "a 15 inch HP" is not good enough. Here is the honest reason.
Two laptops that look the same on the outside can be completely different inside. The same model line might have come with different screens (different resolutions, different connectors), different keyboards (backlit or not, with or without a pointer), or different batteries. If you order based on the family name alone, there is a real chance you get a part that does not fit or does not work.
Getting the exact model, or better yet the exact part number, removes that risk. It is the difference between ordering once and ordering twice.
Even Better: Find the Part Number Itself
The model number gets us close. The part number gets us exact.
Many laptop parts have their own number printed on them. A screen has a code on the back of the panel. A keyboard has a part number on the reverse. A battery has its part number printed on the label. A charger has its model and wattage on the brick.
If you can safely see the part number of the item you are replacing, send us that. It is the most reliable way to get the correct replacement, because it identifies the exact part and not just the laptop it came from. We always recommend checking your part number before ordering.
Still Not Sure? Just Ask
Not everyone is comfortable flipping their laptop over and reading codes, and that is completely fine. That is what we are here for.
Send us a clear photo of the sticker on the bottom of your laptop, or tell us the model from the steps above, and we will help you find the correct part. We would rather spend two minutes helping you get it right than have you order the wrong thing.
At Prime Laptop Parts we stock screens, keyboards, batteries, chargers and more for Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, Acer and other major brands. Get your model number sorted first, and the rest is easy.
Need help identifying your part? Get in touch and send us a photo. We are happy to help you order the right part the first time.