What to Look for in a Refurbished Laptop 

There’s been a surge in recent years of both private buyers and businesses switching to refurbished laptops and other tech, but quite often, they don’t really know what to look for in a refurbished laptop and perhaps end up making a common mistake. 

The allure of great prices and discounts - while certainly great benefits of buying refurbished - should always be counterbalanced with careful consideration of what type of device you need, its specs, quality, and importantly, what types of recourse exist should the device not be working properly. 

We’ll endeavor to fill you in on the most common mistakes that people tend to make when buying refurbished laptops and other electronics, and how to avoid them. 

Not Understanding the Seller or Refurbishment Grade 

A refurbished device is , by definition, used, but not all used devices have been refurbished; in fact, most are not refurbished at all and sold as-is. Buying from a private marketplace could get you some great deals, but you could just as easily end up with a faulty device and no way to return it or get a refund, as there is no warranty at all. Any seller could easily lie and omit any faults or defects, leaving them for you to discover after closing the deal. 

Certified refurbishment ensures that all devices are thoroughly inspected, tested, and cleaned, repairing or replacing any faulty or worn-out components as necessary. At Wisetek Market, all products are labelled according to our conditions guide so that customers know exactly what a product’s condition is before deciding to purchase. 

Ignoring the Laptop’s Actual Condition 

There’s a big difference between a laptop’s stated and actual condition. As mentioned above, a seller could list a product as being “just like new” or “lightly used” when in fact it may have been heavily used. Moreover, any problems that the previous owner may have had with the laptop can often be hidden from buyers, potentially leaving you with a raw deal. 

Refurbished laptops do not suffer from this big downside of buying from the used market. You should know what to check when buying a second-hand laptop, but you shouldn’t have to worry about inheriting a long list of issues when you buy from a certified refurbisher. Our thorough refurbishment process always considers the laptop’s actual condition , and we endeavor to restore it to an ‘as new’ condition whenever possible, listing any cosmetic flaws in the product description. 

Overlooking Warranty and Return Policies 

One of the biggest risks with buying a used laptop is the lack of a return policy and/or warranty. With a brand new device, you’ve got the manufacturer’s warranty and even the original retailer who will often assist you should there be a fault or defect with your laptop. Not at all the case with private sellers. 

Certified reburbishers such as Wisetek Market, however, offer comprehensive warranty protection on all refurbished laptops and tech. Our 12-month warranty is automatically included on all products (except for accessories), and additional warranty coverage is available for an additional fee. Moreover, we offer a FREE 30-day returns policy for added peace of mind. 

Focusing Too Much on Price Over Specs 

We get it. The biggest reason that most of us shop for refurbished over brand new is for the savings, it isn’t a mystery! However, focusing too narrowly on price can be a pitfall. The cheapest refurbished tech is usually cheap for a reason, i.e. it’s very old and has a short lifespan, has inferior specs that are far outclassed by today’s standards, etc. 

There are some valid use cases for significantly older products or low specs, but if you intend to use the laptop for daily use at home, in the office, or as a student, you should strike a reasonable balance between your budget and performance. In fact, it’s probably best to not put the cart before the horse and to choose your bare minimum and preferred specs first, then narrow down by price afterwards. 

Not Knowing What to Look for in a Refurbished Laptop 

Following on the previous point about specifications and performance, it’s important to know what to look for in a refurbished laptop and to understand that there’s a little bit more to consider than when buying new. Some are the same, like selecting the best processor, RAM, SSD, operating system, keyboard layout (and language) for your needs, and so on. Some things are not at all the same. 

For example, you shouldn’t have to worry about a damaged display screen, noticeable dead pixels, and so on when buying new. The manufacturer’s warranty covers things like this. When buying used, the display, battery, and many other components are far more likely to be worn out, damaged, or otherwise in need of replacement. Refurbishers address all of these issues and work to restore the laptop to an ‘as new’ condition whenever possible. 

Not Checking Compatibility (OS, Software, Ports) 

Compatibility is a big consideration one should make, even with new laptops and especially in homes and offices where interoperability may be essential. Will the laptop even work with your home/office setup? Specifically, is the operating system compatible with other devices, applications and software suites, and so on? Does the OS still have support, or will it be vulnerable due to a lack of security support? 

In terms of hardware, refurbished laptops may have slightly or vastly different compatibility than what new ones offer today. Common examples include Lightning or USB ports (and for USB ports, what type and how many) and dongles. 

Don’t Make Mistakes and Shop with Confidence at Wisetek Market 

The market for refurbished tech just grows more and more with every passing year, and that means many new buyers who are potentially exposed to making the same common mistakes that many have made in the past. 

Buying a refurbished laptop shouldn’t be a gamble. Buying from a certified refurbisher such as Wisetek Market means getting warranty coverage, a generous 30-day returns policy, complete and thorough refurbishment of every device listed, and great prices that one can expect from buying refurbished over brand new. Buy with confidence and buy from a certified refurbisher like Wisetek Market.