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If you need to buy a new laptop computer but never seem to have enough money, don’t despair… A great option for an affordable laptop in good condition are cheap refurbished laptops.
Nowadays, good laptops are no longer a luxury item but a necessity for every area of life including school, business and home use. Unfortunately, many notebook computers are still very expensive to purchase brand new and with the depressed economy, buying one of these brand new laptop computer can also add significant financial burdens to a family budget.
Due to this, buying a refurbished laptop presents a new and cheaper option of enjoying the advantages of a new laptop at a significantly reduced price.
Refurbished laptops can seem risky, but they’re often serious bargains. Let’s walk through what “refurbished” really means and whether one could be right for you.
What Does “Refurbished” Actually Mean?
Refurbished laptops also known as Re-certified Laptops are laptops that were previously purchased by a customer and then returned for one reason or another to the manufacturer during the warranty period. Sometimes, these laptops are returned for minor reasons such as the purchaser may decide that the screen was not large enough for their needs or maybe there was a minor blemish on the screen or notebook case. Maybe they received the laptop as a gift but didn’t really need it so they returned it, etc.
The great thing about refurbished laptops is that they are doubled checked, retested and inspected for high quality before they are repackaged and sold again to someone else for a lower price – sometimes for even half price.
Discounted refurbished notebooks are available in most major brands. These laptops are very similar to the brand new ones when it comes to performance. The major difference is they are much more affordable.
So, to sum up:
- A refurbished laptop is one that has been used before and then underwent testing and repairs by the manufacturer or a third-party company.
- It was likely returned by another customer due to an issue or simply because they didn’t want it anymore after buying it.
- After inspection, any defective parts are replaced and the laptop is thoroughly cleaned. It’s then put through quality assurance testing to make sure everything works properly before being sold again.
So don’t worry, no one’s handing you their old beat-up laptop full of coffee stains! Refurbished devices are checked over and brought up to spec.
Why Do Refurbished Laptops Cost Less?
- Since a refurb has been used before, retailers can discount the price pretty heavily compared to a brand new model.
- Discounts can range from 10-50% or more! Those savings can really add up if you just need a laptop for basic usage and don’t necessarily need the latest and greatest specs.
Where Can You Buy Them?
Big retailers like Amazon and Walmart sell manufacturer certified refurbs with decent warranty coverage.
You can also find good deals directly from laptop brands like Dell and HP.
| Retailer | Return Policy | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 30 days | 90 days – 1 year |
| Walmart | 30 days | 90 days – 1 year |
| Dell | 14 days | 1 year |
| HP | 30 days | 1 year |
You can also Google the website of any other Brand Name Companies Such as HP or Lenovo, to check out their discounted refurbished or re-certified laptops.
Another very good place to find cheap refurbished notebooks is on eBay. Just enter the brand of the refurbished laptop you need in the search area on the site. If you do not have a Brand Name in mind, just enter “refurbished laptops” in the search box without the brand. Make sure that the laptop you are purchasing does have a warranty and buy from a trustworthy seller with good feedback. Also, they should accept returns if the laptop does not satisfy your needs and you are unhappy with it for any reason.
To find other companies that sell discounted refurbished laptops, feel free to search the internet and you will discover that there will be no shortage of companies that carry these laptops.
No matter where you buy from, be sure to check the warranty and return policy. You want at least 30 days in case you get a dud.
What Kind of Hardware Can You Get?
The selection really runs the gamut in terms of specs. Here are some examples I found recently:
- Dell Latitude 7490 – Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD – $489
- HP ProBook 640 G5 – Intel Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD – $354
- Asus Vivobook S14 – 11th Gen Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD – $599
There’s everything from budget machines to high-end configs at hundreds below normal pricing. Shop around for deals in your budget range.
What to Watch Out For
While refurbs can offer fantastic value, you do have to be a bit careful:
- Limited supply – Hot deals sell out extremely fast so don’t wait too long!
- Variable condition – Cosmetic condition can range from flawless to having some light scratches. Ask the seller if concerned.
- Shorter lifespan – The components have been used before so longevity may be reduced compared to brand new. Hard drives in particular wear out over time.
As long as you manage your expectations and verify the return policies, these risks are quite tolerable for the hundreds in savings you stand to gain!
Are Refurbished Laptops Good for Gaming?
You can certainly find refurbished gaming laptops, but I suggest setting your sights a bit lower than playing the latest titles on high settings. Here’s why:
- Older components – While still decent, the GPUs and CPUs likely won’t be the newest generations. You’ll have to lower graphics settings in newer games.
- More wear and tear – Gaming rigs tend to run hotter which adds strain over time. Refurb gaming laptops may have less life left in them as a result.
- Limited upgradeability – Gaming laptops tend not to be very upgrade-friendly. You’re stuck with the CPU and GPU it came with.
Given those constraints, I’d hunt for refurbished gaming laptops with GTX 10 series GPUs or RTX 20 series at a minimum. This should allow you to comfortably play many popular esports titles and older AAA games.
What Uses Are Refurbs Good For?
While they may not all be powerhouses, refurbished laptops work exceptionally well for:
- Browsing and media
- Office work
- School assignments
- Light gaming and emulation
- Software development and coding
- Networking and IT projects
- DIY smart home servers
Pretty much anything that doesn’t require bleeding edge performance. For the discounted prices, refurbs deliver fantastic bang for buck!
Final Verdict – Should You Buy One?
- If you need a dependable laptop for general usage and want to save a buck, absolutely go for it!
- Hunt around for reputable sellers, decent return policies, and specs suited for your needs.
- As long as you set proper expectations for physical condition and component lifespan going in, you can get phenomenal value from a refurb.
So, the conclusion of the matter is:
We can confidently answer YES to this question. Not only are refurbished laptops high quality but they also will be just right for your needs at a significantly reduced cost compared to brand new laptops and they perform just as well. Just choose wisely when deciding what seller or company you wish to buy a refurbished laptop computer from.
Refurbished laptops definitely gets our vote of approval!
Hopefully this guide gives you confidence to start bargain hunting for your next laptop! Ping me in the comments if you have any other questions.
Frequently Asked Questions With Regards to Refurbished Laptops
Q: How long do refurbished laptops last?
A: Since components have had some previous use, you can expect around 2-3 years of dependable life out of a refurbished laptop if properly maintained and not used for intensive tasks. Some may last 5+ years if you’re lucky!
Q: Can you upgrade components in a refurb laptop?
A: It depends on the model, but many allow users to upgrade RAM, storage drives, and wireless cards if desired. Just don’t expect to upgrade the CPU or GPU.
Q: Is it hard to return a refurb laptop if something goes wrong?
A: As long as issues crop up within the return period and warranty coverage, you can definitely send it back for an exchange or refund. Just don’t wait too long!
Q: Do refurbished laptops come in original packaging?
A: Usually not – they tend to come in brown box replacement packaging. Some sellers may provide original packaging but it’s rare. Accessories are also often generic replacements, not originals.
Q: Can I install my desired operating system on a refurbished laptop?
A: Certainly – reformatting and reinstalling Windows 10 or Linux distributions should work just fine. Refurbs don’t lock you into whatever OS it came preloaded with.
Q: Is a refurbished MacBook worth it?
A: If you aren’t set on owning the latest model, refurb MacBooks can be great bargains. Just ensure Apple or a reputable 3rd party seller refurbished it so that it still retains decent warranty coverage from Apple. Models newer than 5 years old are ideal.
Q: Do gaming laptops make good refurb purchases?
A: Only for light or older games – refurb gaming laptops won’t have the latest high-end components. Expect to play esports titles, indie games, and older AAA titles mostly. New demanding games may require lowered resolution and graphics settings.
Q: Can you still get virus protection software for a refurb laptop?
A: Yes, you can absolutely install antivirus software from reputable vendors like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, etc. on a refurb machine. Always protect your investment!
Q: Do all refurbished laptops come with operating systems installed?
A: The vast majority do, but it’s worth specifically checking before buying if the OS install is important to you. Sometimes returns & trades-ins don’t have OS licenses intact so sellers may not always install them.
Q: Is buying insurance worth it for a refurbished laptop?
A: Since they already discounted, insurance adds to the cost. But for very expensive gaming rigs it may give peace of mind. Most issues tend to appear within the first year though. Weigh the costs vs. risks!