Refurbished laptops: save on Apple, Sony, Dell, HP and other big brands

You can save money on a new laptop by shopping for a refurbished model. Here’s everything you need to know.

The latest lightweight laptop doesn’t come cheap, but you could save hundreds by shopping for a refurbished model.

Most of the big names including Dell, Apple, HP and Sony offer nearly new products that can give you the latest specs at a fraction of the cost.

Here’s everything you need to know about buying a refurbished laptop.

What to look for

Refurbished laptops are usually models that have been sent back to the retailer or manufacturer at the end of a lease period, or have been returned as unsuitable or faulty.

As with smartphones, there is no set standard to the quality of a refurbishment, but you should expect the following as a minimum:

• Hardware – Any defective hardware should have been replaced and all components should be in perfect working order, this includes everything from the motherboard to the keyboard.
• Software – The hard drive should be fully wiped and all applications re-installed so there is no evidence of anyone else having owned the laptop.
• Casing – Any casing defects should be repaired, including damaged screen hinges and external ports.

There’s no guarantee you’ll be getting a good battery with the system, so insist a new one with a long charge is installed unless you fancy tethering yourself to a wall socket every time you use it.

One of the main issues when buying a laptop is that, while they all look pretty much the same, save for varying screen sizes, specification and performance can vary massively.

 So before buying any laptop, you need to have a clear idea of exactly what you’ll be using it for – if you’re serious about gaming you’ll need something with a high spec and a powerful graphics card, but if it’s for basic web-browsing, a bit of office work and some music and movie streaming, you’ll get away with a standard model.

And do some research online, see what the performance is like on any of the models you’ve got your eye on, and make sure you buy from a reputable seller that offers a reasonable warranty.

Need a phone instead? Read our guide to refurbished smartphones

How much can you save?

The amount you save all depends on the type and spec of the laptop you go for and the quality of the refurbishment, but plumping for a refurbished laptop over a brand new one can save you hundreds of pounds.

I recently bought a refurbished HP laptop from Ebuyer for £275, saving around £400 on a brand new model with a comparable spec.

Where to buy a refurbished laptop

You should check direct with the manufacturer for a refurbished laptop as the quality of the restoration is usually better and is typically covered by a comprehensive warranty.

Otherwise, always buy from a reputable retailer like Currys or Argos, or if you’re buying from an auction site, always check the feedback score, conditions of sale and whether any warranty is included.

Remember you shouldn’t just go for the cheapest you can find - if something appears too good to be true, it probably is.

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