Do’s and Don’ts When Buying a Refurbished Laptop
Buying a new laptop – a good one – is expensive. Even the base model MacBook costs over a thousand dollars, and the situation is pretty much the same with the Dell XPS.
You can save a couple of hundred dollars simply by purchasing a refurbished one. While this may not seem like the best option for a device you will rely on every day, buying a refurbished one from a trusted (certified) store essentially means buying a nearly new product, albeit with hundreds of dollars off.
But the devil is in the details. If you are looking to buy a refurbished laptop, here’s what you should know before you start shopping.
Refurbished is a safer alternative to buying a used one.
Buying a used laptop is easy – you can find many on sites like Craigslist or eBay . But buying a used one is also a big gamble. You cannot accurately judge the condition of the internal electronics from the online listing.
Refurbished laptops usually go through a certification process that checks hardware and electronics to make sure everything is in order and replaces defective parts. Buying a refurbished one (or rather a certified refurbished one where inspection and repair is done by the manufacturer itself) is a much safer alternative.
When it comes to laptops, most refurbished products have little use; many are new machines that have been returned by their original purchaser within the return period.
Tips for Buying a Refurbished Laptop
Before you start looking for a refurbished laptop, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Buy only from trusted sources
You will find many websites that sell refurbished laptops (sometimes at crazy discounts), but it’s best to stay away from these understated customers as there is no good way to verify the process of repairing them. You can easily get a broken or frequently used laptop.
Buying from a trusted source (we’ll cover some of them below) gives you the confidence that your device has been thoroughly tested before you make your purchase.
Find out what the repair process entailed
There is no clear definition of the term “refurbished” and you will often come across terms like “certified refurbished” and “refurbished” used interchangeably.
This is why it is so important to check the laptop repair process. You will usually find this on the product detail page. Typically the letter says “certified repaired” or “factory refurbished” —it is ok, but it’s better if the seller provides a checklist of the entire process.
Check warranty availability
The fact that you are buying a refurbished product does not mean that you cannot receive a warranty. Third party websites like Apple and Dell will offer you a full year warranty (with the option to extend it further), while third party websites may offer you from a week to a month or more.
Read seller reviews
If you buy from a third party recovery website (like Amazon or Newegg), be sure to read the reviews. You will come across some really good deals on refurbished old low-cost laptops, but you will know if the seller is delivering on what they promise just by reading the reviews. We especially recommend this if you are buying a “refurbished” laptop from Amazon, where hundreds of sellers have listed similar products.
Don’t buy an old or very cheap model just to save money.
While this may seem like a great deal, in general, you should refrain from buying a refurbished laptop older than 2-3 years old. You will find a variety of these machines at great discounts on sites like Amazon, but they usually aren’t worth it.
Even if you’re buying a refurbished laptop, make sure it’s only a year or two. This means that internal components like the hard drive, battery, and screen will perform well for years to come.
It’s a good idea to stay away from really cheap refurbished Chromebooks or inexpensive Celeron laptops in general. While the deals are tempting (they only cost $ 100), these machines won’t last very long until their performance drops to a minimum.
Reliable Sources for Buying Refurbished Laptops
Not all laptops are repaired the same way. So how do you make sure you don’t succeed? Buy from a trusted and trusted source. It will cost a little more, but it will be worth it.
Apple
Apple’s Updates Program is known for offering MacBooks in near-new condition at over 15% off. For example, you can buy the latest MacBook Air for $ 849 compared to its $ 999 price tag.
All MacBooks are tested and repaired by Apple (as needed) and you receive a one-year warranty (with the option of a two-year extended warranty using Apple Care +).
Dell
If you’re looking to buy a refurbished Windows laptop, you really can’t do better than a Dell Certified Refurbished Program. You will find hundreds of laptops available right from the Dell website.
These machines fall into two categories: Scratch & Dent and Certified Refurbished. All products are tested and certified, but Scratch & Dent models may have visible scratches or dents that do not affect performance (and are usually cheaper).
The refreshed Dell store is updated daily and new models are constantly being added, so keep checking back every day for great deals.
Best buy
There is a large selection of refurbished laptops available on Best Buy’s website and in stores. Here you will find all kinds of models, from open to certified refurbished. The large box is a great place if you are looking for mid-range refurbished laptops.
Newegg
Newegg is one of the most popular places to buy laptops and PC peripherals. Their refurbished department offers a wide variety of refurbished laptops, from Chromebooks to old MacBooks to newer Windows laptops.
Since Newegg is a reseller, these laptops are not eligible for certified repairs and you are not guaranteed a warranty. But on the other hand, prices are pretty low, the reputable name Newegg carries some weight, and there is a generous 90 day replacement period (just make sure you read the reviews before buying).