How to find an affordable used laptop

When you’re looking for the most affordable used laptop, you may be tempted by low prices from a variety of online sellers. However, most used laptop computers for sale are available “as is” – you may have no idea how well the machine is working or how long it will last. If you want a used device that’s been thoroughly tested and certified to perform at a set standard, consider a refurbished laptop from the Dell Refurbished Store instead.

At Dell, we often lease laptops and other computers to corporate customers for a couple years or more. When these systems are returned to us, we take the highest quality machines and refurbish them, making them for sale online DellRefurbished.com. By restoring used devices to the highest standards of quality and reliability, we make it easy to find an affordable used laptop that delivers excellent performance.

What makes a refurbished device the best affordable used laptop?

When you purchase a used laptop from Dell, you’re getting a manufacturer-refurbished device that’s been thoroughly tested and meticulously repaired. Here’s what to expect when you open the package containing your new purchase.

• A fully functional, reconditioned laptop: Every refurbished laptop from Dell goes through a rigorous process to make sure it conforms to our high standards.
• A laptop with a bit of wear and tear: While many of our refurbished laptops are in pristine condition, some have light scratches, discoloration, or other blemishes on the exterior. These imperfections in no way affect the performance of the machine, buy they can reduce the price for an even more affordable used laptop.
• A preconfigured laptop: To ensure we can offer affordable used laptops, our refurbished devices are prepackaged for sale and cannot be upgraded or customized before shipment.
• A 100-day limited warranty: Because we take great pride in our products and reputation, we warranty every product for 100 days. This limited warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship in the hardware products. For greater peace of mind, you may opt to extend the warranty to one year at checkout for an additional cost.
• Excellent customer service: Our products are backed by customer and technical support from a U.S.-based support team.
• Returns within 30 days: Our return policy allows you to return a device within 30 days of the date on the invoice to obtain a store credit for the purchase price, less any charges for shipping, handling, or restocking.

How refurbishing works

To make sure our affordable used laptops will meet our high standards for quality, we put them through a comprehensive process of inspection, testing, and repair.

• Selecting only the best: The refurbishment process begins by selecting the highest quality systems from the equipment that’s returned to us from customers who have been leasing laptops and desktops.
• Testing each system: We perform extensive functional tests to ensure that the device and all components meet factory specifications.
• Repairing or replacing components: When testing reveals that certain components are not functioning, they are repaired or replaced.
• Fully wiping the data: We sanitize each device according to strict standards to ensure that none of the previous users’ data and files will remain on the device.
• Resetting everything: All hard drives and components are restored to the original factory settings.
• Grading the cosmetic damage: Our teams carefully inspect each computer and issue a grade based on the amount of damage to the exterior. Grade A computers are in very good to pristine condition, while Grade B devices will have more cosmetic blemishes. These include things like scratches, discoloration, or shiny spots around the keys – nothing that impacts the performance of the device. Typically, Grade B computers are priced lower than Grade A machines.

The benefits of an affordable used laptop from Dell

Here’s why buying a refurbished device from Dell makes the most sense when you need an affordable used laptop.

• You’re getting a machine you can trust. Our extensive refurbishment process means you can trust that your affordable used laptop will operate at the highest standards for quality and reliability. With a manufacturer-refurbished laptop from Dell, you know you’re getting a machine you can trust to deliver excellent performance.
• You’re saving lots of money over a new model. Our discount laptops for sale are priced significantly lower than new models that offer similar speed, features, and functionality. That means you can save a lot of money over the price of a new machine, or you can spend a bit more and get a laptop with more power and features.
• You’re making a sustainable purchase. As part of our effort to become the greenest technology company on the planet, we recycle or refurbish 100% of the systems that are returned to us. These efforts are helping to keep thousands of tons of electronic waste (e-waste) out of landfills each year. By purchasing an affordable used laptop from the Dell Refurbished Store, you’re playing a big part in creating a more sustainable approach to how we use and reuse consumer electronics.
• You’re getting a road-tested device. Our affordable used laptops have been on the market for a while, so it’s easy to review their track record for performance and reliability.

Comparing a new vs refurbished vs. used laptop

Here’s a quick reference to help you compare what you get with a new laptop, a refurbished device, or an affordable used laptop.

• New laptop: With the new device, you’ll have access to the very latest models and the latest generation of processors, if those things are important to you. You can easily configure a new laptop to your specific needs, upgrading certain components as you wish. While you’re more likely to pay top dollar for new equipment, your new laptop will come with a warranty and an expectation that you’ll get top performance out of it for a period of time.
• Used laptop: When you buy an affordable used laptop, you’ll save a lot of money over a new device. However, because most used devices are not thoroughly tested or inspected, you’ll have no idea how long the laptop will perform as you want it to.
• Refurbished laptop: A refurbished device offers the best of both worlds. It offers a low purchase price like an affordable used laptop, along with a warranty and a certification that the device will perform at a set standard for quality and reliability.