For example, on Apple’s MacBooks, you’ll see the serial number printed on the bottom next to the “Designed by Apple in California” text. Even if you don’t see a sticker, you’ll often find a serial number printed on the device itself.

On a desktop PC, you may see the serial number on the back of the PC, or on a sticker inside the case. Turn a device over-whether it’s a laptop, mouse, or keyboard-and there’s a good chance you’ll see a serial number. This number is often placed in a sticker somewhere on a device. RELATED: How to Find the Serial Number or IMEI for your iPhone or iPad Manufacturers wouldn’t be able to track individual devices without some sort of unique identifier.

Manufacturers can use serial numbers to see where a device came from and when it was manufactured, so serial numbers can help identify if there’s a problem somewhere in the manufacturing process.

So, when you need warranty service, a manufacturer can identify that you have a unique device that isn’t a counterfeit and verify it hasn’t already received warranty service. This unique identifier allows the manufacturer to differentiate between devices that are otherwise completely identical.

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