Pros and Cons of Used and Refurbished Laptops
Every year, around 2 billion laptops are sold worldwide. This number is projected up by about 11% by 2027, which means that there are always quality refurbished laptops on the market. They come with no signs of wear and tear, and you can find them at lower prices than ever before.
While they may seem a good idea at first glance, you’ll want to consider all the benefits and drawbacks of used and refurbished laptops before choosing between them. Here’s everything you need to know about refurbished laptops to make the right decision regarding your next computer purchase.
Types of Refurbished Computers
Refurbished computers are previously owned laptops, desktops, or tablets. These devices are typically inspected for defects, repaired if possible, and then restored to their original factory settings. There are two types of refurbished computers:
Factory refurbished Computers
These laptops were used by a customer who returned the laptop within the return period set by the manufacturer. They undergo extensive tests and quality checks before being sold again to consumers. If they have no problems, they format the hard disk and reinstall the operating system, so you don’t have any old data from previous owners on your new laptop.
Custom Refurbished Computers
These are usually made according to the match customer’s preference. In most cases, this type of refurbished computer costs more than those offered by manufacturers.
Pros of Refurbished Laptops
Here are some reasons why you should consider a refurbished laptop:
They Come With No Signs of Wear and Tear
Many people who buy new laptops want the latest technology. Unfortunately, the most recent models can’t be cheap. If you want to buy an older model at a discounted price, you might find it has significant wear and tears. When purchasing a quality refurbished laptop, however, you will find that it has been returned to its factory settings, so there’s no need to worry about any signs of wear and tear.
They Are Eco-Friendly
It’s necessary to care deeply about how refurbished laptops’ impact the environment. In many cases, used electronics come from people who have upgraded their computers or thrown them away after accidentally breaking them or when they were getting rid of their old items.
You won’t have to deal with the guilt of using up valuable resources if you go with a refurbished laptop because you’ll know someone else took care of it before handing it off to you.
They Are Affordable
You can save a lot of money by going with quality refurbished computers instead of brand-new ones. The cost savings are even more pronounced if you’re willing to purchase a secondhand item online.
As long as you take the time to do your research, you’ll be able to find something within your budget without compromising on quality and features. Also, refurbished laptops often don’t require any software updates right out of the box, which helps reduce your spending.
Better Specs
You can get a significantly better computer for your needs with refurbished laptops. Depending on where you shop, you might be able to get computers that are newer than what’s on store shelves.
It can help you cut back on spending because you don’t have to worry about upgrading your device any time soon. It will also make it easier to run demanding applications like photo or video editing software because they won’t bog down performance.
The Laptop is Tested Before You Buy
One great thing about buying a refurbished laptop is that you know it will work well. So before reselling it to another customer, technicians thoroughly test the computer to ensure its features operate properly.
Afterward, they clean the machine and inspect for any damage. Then, depending on what kind of warranty comes with the product, techs either put in a new battery or replace broken parts with functional ones before sending it back into circulation.
Cons of Quality refurbished computers
The cons of refurbished computers include:
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
You’ll have to search elsewhere if you’re not content with what is being offered for sale. Sometimes, this may mean spending more time exploring different websites until you find the perfect option for your needs.
Warranty is Not a Guarantee
You will likely not receive a warranty if you purchase a refurbished computer. If something goes wrong, you could pay hundreds of dollars to fix or replace it entirely.
Conclusion
Refurbished laptops are a great way to save money on your computer needs. While you will have a less powerful machine, refurbished laptops will often work as well as new ones.
When purchasing a refurbished laptop, ensure it comes with full warranty coverage and includes all the original accessories that came with the laptop when first sold. If you purchase a used laptop, check it out thoroughly before buying it to know what kind of shape it is in.