It’s often been quite cost-efficient for businesses to procure leased tech for rapid expansion, seasonal short-term IT requirements, or for various other reasons. How does leasing tech compare to buying refurbished? Moreover, what’s the best budget laptop in 2025 and how does it compare to leased laptops for working professionals such as freelancers and other working professionals? 

More businesses are now presented with ever-more attractively priced refurbished tech to fit their needs, so much so that it’s a worthy consideration instead of leasing electronics. This is particularly important for small businesses and startups that may lack a lot of liquid capital to deploy. Both options are cost-effective when compared to buying brand new, but what’s the smartest option in 2025 for your business or personal needs? 

Leasing IT assets is appealing for many reasons. It comes with low initial costs, perhaps only a deposit and ongoing leasing costs. Those costs can add up, however, and after a few years they can surpass the retail cost of the asset. 

This means that leasing is most appealing for businesses with immediate short-term needs for multiple devices. For personal use, freelancers, or for small businesses that intend to continually use electronics year after year, leasing is not the most financially sound decision. 

What Are Refurbished Devices and Why They're Popular 

Refurbished laptops in 2025 and other electronics are an attractive proposition for private use and business use. They aren’t the same as second-hand or used laptops in 2025 - technically they have been used, but the difference is that they’ve been restored to as much of an ‘as new’ condition as possible, tested rigorously, and sold under warranty (when purchased through Wisetek Market). 

For personal and business use, some of the most cheap laptops in 2025 are going to be refurbished. The initial cost is higher than leasing, but there are no ongoing payments so the long-term costs are much more reasonable than leasing. You receive full ownership of the device upon purchase, and some are still under manufacturer’s warranty or have warranty protection, e.g. Wisetek Market’s comprehensive one-year warranty protection. Buying refurbished is also eco-friendly and helps reduce e-waste. 

Price Comparison & Real-Life Scenarios 

Prices for electronics leasing and refurbished laptops vary significantly, but for the sake of comparison we will consider an example with a 3-year lease for a Dell XPS 13 laptop at €16/week, and an end-of-lease purchase price of €50. For a total of 36 weeks, the cost (excl. VAT) would be €576, add €50 at end of lease for a total cost of €626. 

Compare this to buying refurbished, where a refurbished Dell XPS 13 can be owned outright for around €225. This costs more up front, and it’s roughly equivalent to 14 months of leasing, but the device is fully yours. 

Other brands such as Apple and Lenovo are similarly quite affordable when compared to the total cost of leasing and are often much cheaper than buying new.  

Which One Should You Choose? 

Businesses in need of large volumes of electronic IT assets, either to deal with fluctuations in business size or for temporary operations, stand to benefit from leasing due to its low up-front costs and reasonable costs over short periods. 

Refurbished electronics, on the other hand, tend to be more attractive for individuals and businesses looking for long-term ownership rather than short-term use. The best budget laptops in 2025 tend to be refurbished, perhaps only a couple of years old, and from reputable refurbishers such as Wisetek Market. 

Save Money with Refurbished Tech from Wisetek Market 

If you’re booking for the best budget laptop in 2025 - either for personal or professional use - consider buying refurbished from Wisetek Market. We offer a wide selection of Refurbished MacBooks, Refurbished Laptops, and other electronics at competitive prices, a one-year warranty, generous returns policy, and professional support.