Let’s face it, laptops these days, especially the ones that run on Windows OS, may have come with an affordable price range. But not everyone sees the word “affordable” the same way. Even a cheaper new laptop can be quite expensive for those on a strict or tight budget.
But thankfully, there’s an alternative to solve your problem and that is, getting a refurbished laptop. Buying a refurbished laptop may sound risky because it is associated with the word “used”. But unlike the as-is second-hand laptop, a refurbished one has the upper hand since the seller has expertly restored, tested and cleaned to ensure the laptop performs like new or at least, efficiently. So, if you decide to purchase a refurbished laptop, do take note of these six things below.
1) Always Check the Warranty
Every seller who sells refurbished laptops has their own warranty periods. This is important because a refurbished laptop without any warranty is equivalent to flushing your hard-earned money down the toilet. But even with the warranty period, it’s best to go for at least 3 to 6 months minimum. That way, you will have enough time to test your refurbished laptop thoroughly, namely its overall performance. In case of any defect, this allows you to return your laptop to the seller within the warranty period.
2) Take Your Time to Read Customer Reviews
Just because you manage to find an affordable refurbished laptop that suits your budget doesn’t mean you have hit the jackpot. This is especially true if the seller’s website or e-commerce platform has no customer reviews or feedback. Reviews can help you make or break your decision to buy a refurbished laptop from a particular seller, from its product quality to the after-sales service. Also, try to find out more about the seller through thorough online research. It can be anything from the online forums or communities, allowing you to gather as much information as you can.
3) Look For a Seller Who Has a Physical Store
Some refurbished laptop sellers operate solely on the online platform, while some others come with their physical stores. If possible, choose the latter since it allows you to meet the seller in person, in case of a laptop defect or problem or warranty claims. Dealing with problems online may have been convenient, but visiting the physical store gives you more advantages to interact with the seller directly. The kind of personalised experience that you can’t get from relying heavily on online chats.
4) Latest Windows and Processors Matter
Don’t settle for a refurbished laptop that uses the old operating system and hardware. The last thing you need is a laptop that suffers from a sluggish performance, compatibility issues and lack of security updates. This is why it’s important to go for the one with the latest Windows and processors regardless of Intel or AMD. Not only does it allow you to use a refurbished laptop for a longer period without worrying about major upgrades, but also gives you a better value for money in terms of its cost-effectiveness.
5) Determine the Right Specs That Suits Your Daily Usage
Similar to buying a brand-new laptop, the same principle applies to a refurbished laptop when it comes to choosing the right specs. For example, if you prefer the one which can multitask and handle heavy workloads, choose a faster processor (definitely not Intel Core i3 or below) and a minimum RAM requirement of 16GB and above. If the laptop is upgradeable (e.g. adding more RAM), this will be a bonus because it helps to improve your computing speed and performance. Not to forget, choose the SSD storage capacity that offers at least 512GB. Make sure your refurbished laptop has a dedicated graphics card if you are into graphic design or gaming.
6) Consider the Battery Life
One of the major things you need to take note before buying a refurbished laptop is its battery life. That’s because the battery will degrade or deteriorate over time from usage. Assuming you are always working on the go as a digital nomad and you need to rely on the battery to last for several hours of use due to a lack of plug points, you wouldn’t want to settle for a refurbished laptop with a poor or shorter battery lifespan. So, make an effort to ask the seller about the battery condition or if the seller has performed the battery tests or replaced it with a new one.
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