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Deals on new laptops are common all year round, but these discounts can pale in comparison to how much you can save by shopping in the used and refurbished laptops marketplace. We take a look at your options and the potential pitfalls to help you decide if a refurbished laptop or a second-hand model is really right for you, or if it’s worth spending extra to buy brand new.
- 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 · That isn’t always the case, though, especially if you’re comparing a high-end refurbished laptop with a brand-new budget unit. To see if a refurbished laptop will be slower, you can use a hardware comparison website and enter the specifications of both the refurbished version and the new laptop you’re interested in.
If you’re specifically looking for a refurbished Dell laptop, then your best bet is to buy one directly from the company itself. There’s a wide range of different Dell laptops to choose from and the site allows you to filter your choices by a number of categories, including memory, hard drive size, processor, screen size and screen resolution.
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 ...
Jun 28, 2023 · Before buying any refurbished laptop or phone, there are a few things you should check to make sure you’re getting a good deal. Dell Latitude 5400 14-inch (2019) - Core i5-8265U - 16GB - SSD 256 GB QWERTY - English
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Apr 22, 2024 · Renewed devices are cheaper, but do some research first. These tips can help you get a deal and avoid being ripped off when buying refurbished laptops, TVs, phones, and other electronics.
