Your old laptop is on the fritz. You’ve tried everything you can think of to get it to open your apps faster, but nothing works.
It might be time for you to buy yourself a new computer. If you don’t have the money to get a machine with all the bells and whistles you want, you can go with a refurbished model.
Refurbished vs. new, which one offers the best deal? To tell the truth there are pros and cons of both. We can help you choose the most ideal option for your needs.
Keep reading to learn the difference between refurbished and new laptops and find out what each one can bring to the table.
What Is a Refurbished Laptop?
The terms refurbished and used get used interchangeably, but they can’t be more different. While they are both computers that are turned in by a previous owner, used laptops often come with more wear and tear.
Most of the time, the owners of used laptops don’t even sell them back to the manufacturer. They put them up on Letgo or Craigslist. If you buy the computer, you’ll get it as is and it won’t come with a warranty.
Refurbished models have been turned over to the manufacturer due to some slight imperfections. It can be hard to find one with a warranty attached, but not impossible.
Benefits of Going Refurbished
Refurbished is the way to go for many people who can’t afford to buy a fresh-out-of-the-box computer. It’s also more eco-friendly than buying a new laptop, and it will be pretty decent quality.
Eco-Friendliness
When a laptop breaks, it’s easy to toss it out with the rest of your garbage. They can sit for years in the landfills, however, which doesn’t do wonders for the environment.
When you get a refurbished model, you show your support against waste by not buying a computer made with new parts. Everything in a refurbished computer, from the battery to the outer casing, has been recycled in some form or fashion.
Good Quality
Most people avoid buying a refurbished laptop because they’re worried about the quality. It’s a common misconception that picking up a new model means you won’t have to worry about getting a new computer anytime soon.
If there are any hardware problems, the manufacturer fixes them up before they put the computer back on their shelves. The only issue that’s impossible to fix is dents in the casing.
Buying a computer with minor cosmetic imperfections isn’t all bad, though. Some companies will give you a further discount on the product thanks to it.
You’ll Save Money
Buying a new laptop with all the bells and whistles isn’t easy on the wallet. You can spend up to 1,000 dollars getting one that’s suitable for your needs.
This price point is honestly out of the realm of possibilities for most buyers. If you’re one of the people shopping on a budget, getting a refurbished model might be right for you.
Manufacturers buy people’s computers at a discount, fix them up, and sell them for less than the models in their new stock.
This being said, if you still want to get a new computer, you can buy one that’s on the cheap side.
Cons of Refurbished Models
Buying refurbished laptops isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It can be hard to find a model that has a warranty attached, and again, they often come hand in hand with scratches that are impossible to do anything about.
It’s Harder to Find Them With a Warranty
The warranty on most laptops expires as soon as a third party opens them to fix them up, and that’s if the warranty doesn’t drop by the time the refurbishing process begins.
That’s why you’ve got to watch where you buy your refurbished computer. Most reliable sellers will offer you at least a one-year warranty that will protect you in the event that something happens to your laptop. The problem is finding one of these reliable sellers.
They Often Come With Scratches
It’s easy to forget that when you buy a refurbished laptop, it means that someone else had it before you got your hands on it. Chances are, the computer’s been through a lot.
It’s been dropped, stuffed in a bag, eaten near, and more. Most laptops don’t exit someone’s ownership without a few dings and scratches.
Any casing cosmetic issues are impossible to get out. You’re stuck with them until you buy a new computer. Most companies will give you a discount for these imperfections, but for some people, the drop in cost isn’t worth it.
Is Buying New Better?
We haven’t said all we’ve said so far to talk you out of getting a new laptop. There are some instances where buying new is the better option.
If you want all the latest in technology, you won’t be able to have it unless you get a new model. The refurbished ones are always a few generations behind. Certain manufacturers will have a few newer refurbished models available, but they’re more difficult to find.
Another instance where buying new is better is if you’re a gamer. When you buy a fresh-out-of-the-box laptop, you can guarantee that it’s going to have all the specs you need to play your favorite games.
Many gamers also prefer to custom make their own laptop. You obviously can’t do that if you decide to buy a refurbished computer.
Refurbished Buying Tips
If you want to save some money, you’ll be happy to know that there are ways to combat the many problems that come from buying a refurbished laptop.
Again, it’s not easy to find a refurbished model with a warranty, but it’s still possible. There’s also the little matter of certifications, and you always want to examine the laptop after you take it out of the box.
Get a Warranty
When shopping around for a refurbished laptop, the first thing you want to look for is a warranty. You shouldn’t buy a computer that comes with less than a year of coverage. By then, if the computer was going to show any signs of problems, it would have started already.
Another thing you want to check for is a return policy. You want to make sure that you’re not going to lose your money in the event that the computer doesn’t work out.
Some companies will make you pay a reshelving fee when you ship the laptop back to them. Look for that in the contract, so you don’t get surprised by a bill in the mail.
Certification Process
When you turn in a refurbished laptop to a manufacturer, it goes through an entire certification process. They do an inspection of the casing, test the hardware and software, reset the computer to factory defaults, wipe it clean from any malware, the whole nine yards.
Computers that you get through Craigslist or Letgo don’t go through such a process. All they do is connect a buyer to a seller. No one checks over the computer, so there’s no guarantee that you’re getting a good deal.
Examine
When you receive your refurbished laptop in the mail, all you want to do is turn it on and start the process to make it your own. We recommend turning down your excitement for a moment to inspect the laptop.
Check the casing for any major cosmetic issues. A few scratches and dings are no big deal, but serious imperfections could point toward worse issues.
Lift up on the laptop lid and listen out for squeaky hinges. If all the cosmetic stuff checks out, you can go ahead and fire the computer up. Look out for any hardware malfunctions such as a loud laptop fan or damaged screen pixels.
These are both signs that the computer has seen better days and is on its way out.
Refurbished Vs. New: Which Is Better?
When it comes time for you to go shopping for a computer, you’ve got two choices. Refurbished vs. new, which is better? As you can see from what you’ve read here, the answer is all a matter of taste.
Well, taste and your wallet.
Buying a refurbished laptop is way cheaper than getting a new one. Most refurbished machines are as good as the newer ones, even if they are sometimes a few generations old. A fresh-out-of-the-box computer will have way fewer dents and dings in it, though.
For more tips that will help you pick out the right laptop for your needs, visit the Technology section of our blog.
