With an ever-increasing demand for laptops, it is natural that some people are now turning towards refurbished options. Are they good? Should you buy refurbished laptops?
Before we get into the debate of whether or not you should buy refurbished laptops, it is important to understand what a refurbished item is. By definition, selling any item that was previously returned to a manufacturer or retailer for any reason is refurbishment. These products are usually re-tested and fixed before being sold again.
With their low-price tag, refurbished laptops attract many people. We will be weighing their pros and cons so you can decide for yourself whether they are worth it.
Advantages of Buying Refurbished Laptops
Reduced Price
Possibly the biggest motive behind buying refurbished laptops is their reduced price. A refurbished model may be up to 50% cheaper than its brand-new counterpart. This price discount becomes even more attractive when you consider the possibility that a refurbished laptop may be just as good as a brand-new one because often people return devices because they simply do not like them, or there is a small issue that the company has now fixed.
Environment Friendly
Another huge advantage of refurbished laptops is the fact that they are actually environment friendly. Thanks to refurbishment, a company is not forced to waste a device entirely. It can simply fix the issue and resell it at a lower price. Therefore, by buying refurbished laptops, you are contributing to a cleaner and safer environment.
Good as New
Buying a refurbished laptop is a high-risk, high-return purchase. A refurbished laptop comes with the risk of damaged parts, but there is also a possibility that you may buy a nearly brand-new device at a significantly lower price. Some people may even argue that if done carefully, buying a refurbished laptop is not that high-risk.
Disadvantages of Buying Refurbished Laptops
Less or No Warranty
Often a refurbished laptop means a shorter warranty, or in some cases, no warranty at all. This can be slightly concerning for some customers because the risk of defects in refurbished items is always there. You may encounter a problem that renders your laptop completely dysfunctional, or you may come across an issue after the warranty period has ended, leaving you on your own.
Slightly Damaged
Another disadvantage of buying refurbished items is that they might be slightly damaged. The previous user might have slightly scratched the laptop. Another reason for refurbished items to have some cosmetic issues is because they are usually unassembled, fixed, and then reassembled. It is also common for them to have certain markings or stickers that are impossible to remove.
Older Technology
Although it’s not impossible to find refurbished versions of the current-gen laptops, it is quite rare. Most of the laptops being sold after refurbishment are older models and use older technology. So, if you are someone who is looking for the latest model, you may be out of luck.
