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Apple Certified Refurbished MacBooks. If you’re buying a refurbished laptop directly from Apple, you’re likely to get one that’s in grade A condition. Apple doesn't specify the level of damage, but the company says all of its refurbished models go through a rigorous testing process that is of the same standard as used for brand-new models.
Asus, Acer, Lenovo, and HP all sell refurbished, like-new laptops with a hefty discount, and warranties range from 12 months to two years. When buying refurbished laptops on certain eBay outlets you will find a grading system that categorises devices from “like-new” to those with cosmetic damage or missing parts.
- Overview
- Why buy new laptops?
- Why buy used laptops?
- What about refurbished laptops?
- Which type should you buy?
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How-to
The pros and cons you need to know about before pulling the trigger on a device.
Jump to:
•Why buy new?
•Why buy used?
•What about refurbished?
Buying a new laptop instead of a used or refurbished one is typically what many people default to doing, and there are several good reasons why. For one, choosing a new device ensures that you won't have to deal with any user-caused damages to the laptop. You also don't have to worry about battery degradation when buying new, which is an important consideration for folks that aren't always able to stay near a wall plug and need dependable battery life. You'll also be able to take advantage of the device's full warranty period, and in most cases, stock of specific laptops and configurations will also be more readily available compared to used and refurbished options.
The only real drawback of opting for a new system is that it will cost a fair amount more than used or refurbished equivalents do, which may be a problem if you're on a tight budget — especially if you're hoping to snag a premium device like the HP Spectre x360 16. And while sales and discounts can help offset this disadvantage somewhat, you'll still generally end up paying more by going with something fresh out of the factory.
Choosing to buy a used device instead of a new one is best described as the high-risk, high-reward option. It's almost always the most affordable way to get your hands on a laptop, but since there isn't any official quality assurance with consumer-to-consumer purchases, the device's chassis or components might be damaged. Since the machine has also been, well, used before, you might have to contend with a worn-down battery and/or a short (or non-existent) warranty.
Notably, there generally aren't many cutting edge laptops available used, so you'll probably have to settle for something a year or two old (a good example being older models of the Acer Spin 5, which recently got a new design refresh). Specific spec configurations might be tough to find as well, so keep that in mind.
Overall, buying used can be tricky, but there are some things you can do to mitigate the risks and make sure you're getting a reliable and dependable system. Here are the tips and strategies we recommend:
•If the marketplace you're buying a used laptop from has seller ratings, try and stick to buying from sellers that have a strong positive reputation.
•If the listing has photos of the laptop taken by the seller, look through them and keep an eye out for physical damage.
•Check the description of the listing for information about when the laptop was purchased, when it was first used, reports about the device's condition, and more. Try to contact the seller for this information if it isn't listed.
If a brand new device isn't a good fit for you but you don't want to deal with the risks of buying a used one, consider going with a refurbished (sometimes referred to as recertified) laptop. These exist as a middle ground offering, as they're usually not as affordable as used systems, but are thoroughly inspected and restored as much as possible by the device's manufacturers. This guarantees that they'll be in good working order, and while the condition won't be as good as a brand new laptop, you're still getting a nice discount.
The downside to going with a refurbished laptop is that depending on when you're looking to buy, the specific system with the specific hardware configuration you want may not be available. With that said, it's often easier to find newer devices like the Dell XPS 13 Plus for sale refurbished than it is to find them used, as manufacturers generally try to get pre-owned products returned to them back on the market quickly.
To help customers find the laptop they're looking for, several manufacturers have created outlets where potential buyers can look through their available refurbished devices. We've listed links to several of these outlets below:
•See Dell Outlet
•See Lenovo Outlet
•See Acer Outlet
Ultimately, all three types of laptops are worth considering, but depending on what you need out of your purchase, there are some clear winners. Here's a quick recap of the main pros and cons of buying used and refurbished laptops compared to new ones:
•New: Buying new is the priciest option, but it's also the safest since you'll be the first to use the laptop with a full warranty.
•Used: These are the most affordable, but without quality assurance or guarantees, you're relying solely on the word of the seller. Look over listings closely and do research before pulling the trigger on these.
•Refurbished: These PCs are discounted by manufacturers and retailers with good quality assurance. They are usually covered by at least a limited warranty, and are between new and used devices in terms of price.
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Jul 22, 2024 · Top 5 Things to Consider When Buying a Refurbished Laptop . The source is the most important thing to consider when buying a refurbished laptop because not all restoration processes are equal. You can buy refurbished laptops from many different sources, so it’s crucial to find out who refurbished the laptop and what they did.
- Senior Editor, Features
- Is It a Refurb or Open-Box Return? A typical open-box product is one that was purchased and opened but returned before it was ever used. Maybe the buyer or recipient decided they didn't want it, or perhaps the packaging was damaged so it was returned unused as a precaution.
- Who Did the Refurbishing? Not all restorations are alike. It could be performed by the original manufacturer, but it's possible a third party did the work and is reselling the product.
- Does It Come With All the Stuff? Opening an iPhone box and not finding a charger is a sad experience (especially if the item is brand-new, but that's a different problem).
- Does the Product Still Have a Warranty? Don't buy any product that is marked "as-is," because that takes away any implied warranty the product might carry.
Buying refurbished laptops has a lot of benefits over buying new ones. But it also requires you to carry out a few more checks before you buy. For the past 13 years, we’ve refurbished thousands of laptops for the UK’s public and private sectors. Along the way, we’ve learned a lot about what makes a good refurbished laptop and what makes a ...
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Apr 7, 2020 · The term ‘refurbished laptop’ is a stumbling block for many when searching for a cheap laptop deal. You could get a massive discount on a good-as-new device, or potentially end up with a ...
