How to pick a used laptop computer

Buying a used laptop computer can help you save a significant amount of money over purchasing a new device. However, the quality of used equipment can vary a great deal. Some used laptop computers are essentially sold “as is,” without any guarantee of quality or reliability. That’s why, when you plan to purchase used laptop equipment, it’s wise to search for a certified refurbished device.

A refurbished computer is a machine that has gone through a comprehensive process to restore it to a certain quality standard. Unlike your average used laptop computer for sale online, a refurbished laptop will come with a certification that the device has been thoroughly inspected, tested, and repaired. The best refurbished laptops will offer a warranty, a return policy, and a service plan with access to a customer service team if you need help with setup or troubleshooting.

To find the best deals on used laptop computers that have been completely refurbished, visit the Dell Refurbished Store at DellRefurbished.com. Here you’ll find a wide range of laptops along with desktops, monitors, servers, and other computer equipment, completely refurbished to provide excellent quality at discounted prices.

Why refurbished is better than a new or used laptop computer

Refurbished laptops offer several key benefits over new devices as well as used laptop computers.

• Certified quality: A refurbished device will be certified for a certain level of quality and reliability. In contrast, used laptop computers typically don’t come with certifications or warranties.
• Great value: A refurbished laptop can be purchased for considerably less than a new laptop that offers the same features and performance. That means you can get the computer you need for a lot less money, or you can get a computer with a lot more features on the same budget.
• Proven performance: Refurbished laptops are usually machines that have been around for a few years, so you’ll find lots of user reviews that can provide information on the track record of the device.
• A choice for sustainability: Buying a refurbished computer instead of a new device is a great way to help the environment by keeping older electronics from being sent to the landfill.

How laptops are refurbished at Dell

Refurbished laptops from the Dell Refurbished Store are devices that were previously leased by a corporate customer and were returned to Dell when the lease ended. As we receive off-lease equipment, we carefully inspect it and designate the highest quality systems for refurbishment. These machines go through an extensive process to ensure they meet our high standards before we make them for sale as refurbished equipment.

First, we thoroughly test every aspect of the machine to ensure that all the correct components are present and functioning properly. If anything is not working or not performing to our standards, we repair the component or replace it. To ensure that none of the previous users’ files are present on the machine, we perform a full data wipe according to strict guidelines about how to sanitize digital media.

Next, all the drives and components on the machine are restored to their factory setting, and we give each machine a cosmetic grade based on how much damage is present on the computer’s exterior. Machines that are in very good to excellent shape get an A grade, and computers with more scratches, discoloration, or imperfections receive a B grade. While Grade B machines are price lower than Grade A devices, none of the blemishes on a refurbished device will impact the performance in any way.

How to choose the best laptop for you

When you’re ready to choose a used laptop or a used desktop computer that’s been refurbished to the highest standards, follow these steps to ensure you get a great deal on right device for you.

• Set your budget: Determine the maximum amount of money you want to spend on a refurbished device. You might want to add an additional 10% margin just to make sure that you don’t miss out on any great deals that are just outside your limit. Also, when budgeting, keep in mind that you might want to extend the warranty on your laptop for an additional cost.
• Identify essential features: Decide on the features that are essential to you, like screen size, screen resolution, type of processor, size of hard drive, amount of RAM, and other key components. Knowing exactly what you’re looking for will help you narrow your search.
• Search the Dell Refurbished Store: When you visit Dell Refurbished.com to search for a used laptop computer, you’ll be able to find potential devices by using the filters on the left side of the screen. Here you can search for laptops that have all the features you want and need.

The details: warranty, returns, and more

When you buy a used laptop computer that’s been refurbished by Dell, you can count on an excellent warranty, a generous return policy, and a helpful service plan.

• Warranty: We offer a 100-day warranty on all our refurbished devices that covers any defects in materials and workmanship for the hardware. For most of our computers, you can extend the warranty to one year for an additional cost at checkout.
• Returns: Our 30-day return policy lets you send back your device for store credit, less any shipping and handling charges. A 15% restocking fee may apply.
• Service plan: Dell Refurbished computers come with a service plan that provides access to a U.S.-based customer service team to help you with troubleshooting.