Where can I get good, refurbished laptops?

If you are looking to cut the cost of the purchase of the next laptop, go for buying a refurbished laptop. You will get heavy discounts for the laptops with the same specs and features in most cases. To make such a choice, first, there should be a basic understanding of the term “refurbished”, and the benefits and risks involved in buying a refurbished laptop.

Difference between a second-hand and a refurbished laptop:

A refurbished laptop means a used laptop that has been restored professionally by a retailer or manufacturer to make it look and feel like a new laptop. The refurbished laptops also come with a warranty. Second-hand laptops are typically used laptops sold 'as-is' by their previous owners, and their condition will be far more variable.

Refurbished laptops are directly sold by the retailer, manufacturer, and a professional reseller. They look new or they have some grades assigned to them. Those grades define their condition. So, you always know what you are getting into while making a purchase. The prices will be higher than that of a second-hand laptop, but the laptop will be in a proper working condition. Many retailers also give a warranty of six months or one year.

Grades of refurbished laptops:

According to the condition of the refurbished laptop, grades are assigned to them. Then they are priced according to the grades.

Grade A:

Grade A is allotted to the laptops which are open boxes. This means that the laptops were instantly returned to the retail after the purchase. There will be no surfs, marking, or scratches on the surface of the laptop. You will also get original accessories for the laptop.

Grade B:

The laptops falling in grade B are used and they have some cosmetic damage. There might be some scratches and markings, but they will not be so prominent. There are high chances that these laptops will not come with the original charger and other accessories. Although the retailer will send a compatible charge with it.

Grade C:

This is the lowest category of refurbished laptops. The laptop will work fine but there will be many scratches, even dents on the laptop. Grade C laptops will be the cheapest and there is the possibility that there won’t be accompanying accessories.

Best retailers to offer refurbished laptops:

There are many retailers which sell new laptops as well as refurbished laptops on the same site. There are high chances that they might end up putting their own laptops in the refurbished category with better discounts. So, if you have a specific laptop in mind, keep a check on the retailers. Most of the time, you can get what you are looking for at a reasonable price.

Laptop Outlet:

The online retail store has a wide range of refurbished laptops. HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, Apple, and MSI refurbished laptops are available at Laptop Outlet. The retailer also offers a one-year warranty. Heavy discounts and reasonable deals are also available. They have Apple MacBook Air, HP Pavilion x360, ASUS ZenBook S, Lenovo IdeaPad 5, etc.

Laptop Direct:

Laptops Direct is a traditional online retailer, not a section of an online marketplace. The models on offer here are typically newer, so you know you're getting something with reasonable specifications. This is reflected in the price; some models are priced not far off the new equivalent, so check before buying to see if the savings are worthwhile. The standard warranty is only three months, but it can be extended at the point of purchase for a fee.

Amazon Renewed:

Amazon describes how the products are inspected in detail, but keep in mind that these are almost always third-party sellers. Looking at the Renewed laptops page on Amazon reveals many laptops that are nearly a decade old, so while they may be in good condition, they may feel slower and have lower-resolution screens than equivalent laptops made in the last couple of years. The advantage is that all laptops sold by Renewed come with a one-year warranty, so any issues that arise will be addressed.

Bottom line:

Buying a refurbished laptop is a great option. It is budget-friendly, eco-friendly, and the most effective way to replace or update your laptop. Although they are not as aesthetically pleasing as brand-new devices, refurbished laptops function exactly as they did when they left the factory and usually cost a fraction of the price.