A used refurbished laptops will give you the best value for your money. Although you won’t find the most recent and greatest products in refurbished units, it’s possible to save money and get a little more functionality by choosing a product that isn’t new from the factory.
There are risks and caveats to used refurbished laptops. Below are some tips to help you make a decision about whether or not to purchase a refurbished notebook.
Used Refurbished Laptops
Used Refurbished laptops can be cheaper than new ones depending on their make and model, and the place you shop. If the model has been on the marketplace for at least six months, it’s unlikely that you will find the most recent-generation laptops as refurbs.
Apple offers refurbished 12-inch MacBooks. It launched the MacBooks in April 2016 and isn’t likely to refresh them as often. The new 12-inch MacBook 1.1GHz Dual Core Intel Core m3 costs $1,299 (as of April 2016). Apple sells refurbished models for $1,099, which is covered by a 1-year limited warranty. Amazon sells the same unit for $899.99 and comes with a 90-day warranty.
If you are looking for a refurbished Dell XPS 13 you might have to settle for an older model. The Dell Outlet had an XPS 13 that was two generations old when we checked it. It was sold for $739 and came with a Core i5-5200U CPU. 128GB SSD and 8GB RAM. The XPS 13 is brand new and comes with the Core i5-7200U processor, which costs $999 more than the previous-gen model. A few days later, stock was reduced and newer units became available.
It is important to specify the model year because performance, battery life, and Wi-Fi connectivity have all improved in the new-generation XPS 13. This performance delta might not be as important to you as it is for you in the future, if you are using a computer that is only four or five years old and less capable of running new programs.
Keep in mind, however, that laptop batteries can lose their ability hold a full charge with time. If the unit you bought was used for more than a year, its battery life may be shorter than that of a new model.
If you have a limited budget and want a better-quality laptop like a Dell XPS 13 then a refurbished model may be the best option. You can buy a quality laptop for as low as $200. However, if you look at refurbished models, you might be able to afford a more expensive model, such a thin ultraportable or powerful business laptop.
Where do Used Refurbished Laptops Come from?
Laptops that have been refurbished come from many different sources. These include businesses who trade in their laptops and consumers who return them because they don’t need them anymore or because of a serious defect.
A certain amount of refurbs are caused by failures or defects. A Consumer Reports Reliability Survey, which included 58,000 subscribers, found that new Apple laptops failed at 7 to 9 percent per annum, while Windows machines’ failure rates hovered around 15 percent.
“Microsoft refurbishers mainly work with enterprise equipment but even though the laptop was originally an enterprise model, you get it at a consumer price,” stated Willie Cade founder and CEO of PC Rebuilders and Recyclers (MAR), a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher. Refurbished is the best option if you need it for work, shopping, or other basic tech purposes.
However, that’s not all: Jim Lynch, TechSoup Global’s electronics recycling/reuse manager, says that buying refurbished products from name-brand computing businesses is another option.
“The major OEMs excel in this area. He said that Apple, Dell, and HP have put their stamp on refurbished equipment and that they make sure the IT Asset Management companies that do refurbishment and reconditioning do a good job. The best source for purchasing your laptop is either the manufacturer or an authorized refurbisher.
What is the difference between used and refurbished?
No matter how the unit arrived at the spa, manufacturers and third-party authorized refurbishers usually clean, sort, and grade it based on its physical appearance and functionality. Each unit is disassembled and checked for damage, battery function, screen quality, power supply, loose connections as well as the hard drive and optical drives. A seller who doesn’t follow this process will not be able to claim that the product has been refurbished.
The machine is then completely wiped clean and any missing or defective components are replaced. After the laptop has been tested and repaired for cosmetic defects, a new OS is installed. Finally, it is packed to go.
Cade stated that this last bit of software is crucial because sometimes people buy refurbished computers without installing the OS. This is an offense. Although some sellers might offer to install the original OS for their customers, this would not constitute a legal license. Microsoft has made agreements with MARs to allow them to copy operating systems that are properly licensed (primarily Windows 10), onto refurbished units.
A refurbisher inspects, cleans and repairs a used laptop in factory settings. The unit is then certified as working order and sent back to the manufacturer or retailer for a discount.
Here are some quick tips for buying a used laptop.
A one-year warranty is recommended.
Take a look at your Used refurbished laptops.
You will be able to tell the difference between certified and used refurbished laptops.
You don’t have to be a cheapskate when buying a refurbished gift.
Tip 1: If possible, get a one-year warranty
The seller should guarantee that your used refurbished laptops purchase comes with a warranty. It is not as if you purchased it from a trunk of a car in downtown. I have an excellent Apple notebook that was once taken home. It is important to ensure that the equipment comes with a solid warranty. A year is considered a standard, but not all.
Used Refurbished laptops warranties can be shorter than those for new products. They may not cover battery life. However, each vendor is unique so make sure to read all the fine print before you add the item to your cart. Microsoft requires at least a 30-day warranty. Apple and PCRR offer a one-year warranty on laptops.
You should also look for a generous return policy to allow you to test the unit and make sure it suits you. Rechargeable batteries have a limited lifespan and are consumables. You’ll need to ensure that your refurbished laptop is capable of holding a charge. Amazon states that all new, used, and refurbished products purchased through Marketplace vendors are subjected to the return policy of each vendor. You should be aware that some 14-day money back return policies include a restocking fee.
Tip 2 – Check your laptop right away
You or your loved one should be able to open the box that contains a used refurbished laptops and see a shiny, unaltered exterior, free from scratches and dents. You should see a new keyboard, not worn keys. The screen should be bright and clear. Any less can be frustrating.
Buyers should always check the condition statement on refurbished product pages. Most retailers will disclose cosmetic defects in the product description. However, this is not always true. Apple’s website has a general statement about standards that are linked to each refurbished product, but does not contain a condition report for each product page. Amazon provides a link to a popup page with general condition guidelines.
MORE: Tips from the Box: How to Set up Your New Laptop Like A Pro
Cade, a Microsoft refurbisher, stated, “We try and make the product look great — especially keyboards. Cases. Palm rests. It could be a sign that the laptop was not well maintained.
However, standards for cosmetics can vary. There may be some imperfections and dents in the case that don’t affect the computing power of your unit. Buyers of used refurbished laptops should expect a product that is not factory fresh. Buyers should still be aware of signs that the unit is not up to standard, such as dead pixels, noisy hard drives or loose or squeaky hinges or other obvious signs.
Tip 3: Learn the Difference between Certified and Refurbished
Craigslist and eBay don’t check the condition or sell laptops on their websites. They just connect buyers with sellers, and they are responsible for their results. Online trade-in services such as Gazelle.com, Gadget Salvation and Gazelle.com offer different levels of certification. However, they are not always transparent and their standards can vary.
Gadget Salvation’s operations manger Cesar Navarro says that all gadgets go through Gadget Salvation’s certification process. This includes cosmetic inspection, hardware testing and software testing. The goal is to ensure that the gadgets work properly, are functional and can be reset to factory defaults using genuine operating systems.
Others are more specific. Gazelle sells pre-owned MacBooks. “Light refurbishment” is a 30-point functional inspection that ensures the devices are in good cosmetic and working order.
Best Buy Outlet sells refurbished, pre-owned and open-box electronics that have been tested to work. These electronics are covered by Best Buy’s Return & Exchange Promise and come with warranties ranging from 90 days up to one year. Best Buy claims that refurbished products are restored and repaired to like-new condition and include all accessories (originals or equivalent substitutes).
Microsoft has an extensive network authorized refurbishers that can connect you with a used refurbished laptops.
Visit Apple’s refurbishing website if you are looking for an Apple notebook. Apple’s used refurbished laptops include a one-year warranty, free shipping, and no returns. Refurb Tracker provides email alerts as well as RSS feeds that keep you up-to-date on the latest refurbished products available from Apple Store websites.
Tip 4 – You can give a used refurbished laptops as a gift
It’s the thought that matters, but a gift of an old piece of equipment can still be considered “cheapskate” by some people, regardless of its superior quality and guaranteed functionality. You should consider the person you’re giving it to and their priorities. A pre-owned notebook is not going to sell if you or your loved one are looking for the most cutting-edge notebook in pristine cosmetic condition, packaged with artistic perfection, and associated with used, icky, and unreliable parts.
Check the Latest and best used refurbished laptops on our official website Retechie.
