There are many reasons why you might opt for a refurbished laptop instead of buying a new one. The primary obstacle is that buying a used computer is frowned upon for apparently no good reason. We will invest thousands in a car that is several years old, but spending hundreds on a laptop that might be just a few years old seems out of the question. Once you have overcome the mental block, it’s time to figure out exactly how to go about finding a good refurbished laptop.
One thing to keep in mind while searching is that you probably don’t need as much laptop as you think. Many of us go out and buy top of the line hardware, the fastest graphics processor, the biggest hard drive, the fanciest software add-ons, all so we can check email and browse the web. Take a good look at how you will be using your new (to you) laptop so that you have a good idea of what your minimum specs can be.
Knowing where to look is the next step. When shopping for a used car, you probably don’t want to shop at just any lot. There is no telling what these guys are doing to make a buck and you don’t want to get stuck with a lemon. The same goes for your laptop. Stick with major manufacturers who have a brand name to protect. They usually offer some type of certification that the used hardware is checked out and tested before being resold to you.
Dell, for instance, offers 3 choices depending on your comfort level:
- Previously Ordered New – Systems that may have been shipped to customers, but have never actually been used by anyone. They are tested and then repackaged by Dell Outlet.
- Certified Refurbished – Fully refurbished systems that may have been used by another customer. They are tested and repackaged to meet original factory specs.
- Scratch and Dent – These may have some obvious physical blemishes, but are otherwise just fine. If you’re not picky, you can probably catch a steal in this category.
Other manufacturers you might check out include Apple, Lenovo, and HP. If you’re having a hard time finding a “refurbished” or “used” section, look for the “outlet” area of the site.