Can I return a laptop bought online that arrived cracked?

Under the Consumer Affairs Act, Chapter 378 of the Laws of Malta, goods bought at a distance must conform to the contract description and be free from defects, and the burden of proving that a defect was caused by the buyer rather than being present at delivery generally falls on the trader, not the consumer. Your first step should be a written complaint to the seller (email is fine, but keep it dated) attaching your photos and proof of delivery date, formally requesting a repair, replacement or refund. If the seller continues to refuse within a reasonable time, you can lodge a complaint with the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA), which oversees enforcement of consumer protection rules, or file a claim directly with the Consumer Claims Tribunal, which was set up specifically to resolve disputes like this one without the cost and delay of ordinary court proceedings. Keep all correspondence, as it will form the basis of your case file.