What are Refurbished Laptops?

Refurbished laptops are the laptops that the customer either returned or can be the ones used and then returned for any manufacturing defect or any other malfunction. These laptops are returned to the manufacturer. The manufacturer then repairs them and then sells them as refurbished ones.

Why do the laptops go for refurbishing??

Firstly the customer may have ordered it and then returned it without using it. In this case, the manufacturer cannot resale it as a new one, therefore, they sell it as a refurbished one.
Secondly, the customer may have ordered it, opened it, and then changed his mind and returned it. These laptops are called open-box laptops. These laptops are never used by anyone as the software seal is intact. These laptops are sold after refurbishment.
Thirdly, when the product fails any of the quality tests of the original manufacturer, it is refurbished, repaired, and then sold as a refurbished one.
Fourthly,  some models may be overstocked or stored for a longer time with the seller, these laptops are sent to the manufacturer.
Such laptops are sold after refurbishment.
Lastly, the laptops may have some scratches from shipping or any manufacturing defect in their hardware. These laptops are sold as refurbished laptops.

What are the different types of refurbished laptops?

The refurbished laptops are re-certified or repaired for resale. Such laptops go through a comprehensive process of repairs, replacement, and quality tests. The laptops are then put up for sale by the manufacturers.

There are primarily three types of refurbished laptops -

New & Unused: these are the laptops whose factory seal is intact. It means that such laptops are never used by the customer, or they are the ones over-stocked by the reseller, or they may be from the order returned by the customer, commonly known as the open-box model.
Like New: This type of laptop is a used or pre-owned laptop with minor quality issues.
Scratch & Dent: This type of laptop has minor blemishes on the keyboard or the touchpad or palm rest or the body but does not have scratches on its screen. These defects do not affect the performance of the product.

Now after knowing the types of refurbished laptops, we would now see the Refurbishing Process.

The refurbishing process is a three-step process:

Step 1: In this step the laptop a thoroughly tested to see if it confirms to the correct components and configuration. All the parts of the laptops are also tested to assure that they are working well. If any component is not working properly, then they are brought up to the standards of the new product.

Step 2: If the product requires any repairs, it is done. All the data on the hard disk is deleted and the system is formatted so that all the data of the previous owner does not remain there.

Step 3: After the system is thoroughly cleaned and formatted, the laptop is restored to factory settings. All the software is tested again, updated if necessary and then it is inspected and repaired for any cosmetic defects or damages as per the strict norms of the manufacturer.

Now after this discussion, the question arises is - Is it worth buying a Refurbished Laptop? Why should one buy a Refurbished Laptop?

Well, let’s discuss further -
It saves one a lot of money. The refurbished laptops with the same configuration as the new one comes at a very cheaper rate. Refurbished laptops save a lot of money, so they are pocket friendly.
If one wants to save the environment, then it is advisable to go in for a refurbished laptop, as these laptops instead of being scrapped, are repaired and re-certified. This saves the environment from harmful damage.
These laptops are also observed to be tougher than their new versions as they go through stricter certifications, quality testing, and inspection.
Moreover, they are also fully updated with the latest versions as the software is updated in the refurbishing process.

Who should buy a Refurbished Laptop?

Students who are working on tight budgets should opt for a refurbished laptop. Students often need a laptop for study purposes, and the refurbished one can finely cater to their requirements.
Parents with kids can go in for refurbished laptops as the kids need laptops only for their school projects and other school-related work only.
Professionals whose work revolves around word processing and internet surfing can always opt for a refurbished laptop.
Budget gamers who cannot afford to buy a gaming laptop can buy a refurbished laptop with an actual video card. This video card can easily handle the latest games with lower settings.

But before buying a refurbished laptop, always take into consideration the need and the usage of the laptop.

Here are some tips one should consider before buying a Refurbished Laptop -

Though refurbished laptops save money, always buy from a certified seller. Check the seller's credentials before buying.
Always stick to the factory refurbished laptops only. It is always better to buy a factory refurbished one than one refurbished one by the retailers or third-party refurbisher.
Avoid refurbished laptops that are more than 5 years older as the components may be outdated or inefficient.
Never buy a refurbished laptop without a warranty. Always press for the warranty from the seller. Always negotiate for a warranty of at least 3 to 6 months.