Gone are the days when you could send a student to school with simply a notebook, some pencils, and a packed lunch. Laptops have now become an essential piece of school kit for students in Ireland.
Unfortunately, just because demand is high does not mean that student laptop prices are falling. The combined costs of school from uniforms, notebooks, and supplies was already high. Add a laptop to the mix and there go any plans of summer holidays abroad.
Thankfully, refurbished laptops offer a practical and affordable solution when it comes to purchasing a laptop for students in Ireland. Read on to discover some of the best laptops for Irish students.
Why Budget Matters for Students
Between fees, supplies, and the cost of living, being a student in Ireland isn’t cheap. A good laptop is essential for coursework, video calls, research, and the odd bit of Netflix to wind down at the end of the night. But just because a laptop is now an essential device for students doesn’t mean you need to fork out a bunch of cash for a brand-new top-tier machine.
Students need laptops that are lightweight enough to carry from class to class, have solid battery life for long study sessions, and enough performance to juggle web browsing, document editing, and occasional creative work. Most new laptops offer these features, but they do so at a steep price.
This is where refurbished laptops take the centre stage and shine. They offer the same core performance and features of a new laptop, but at a fraction of the cost without sacrificing functionality or reliability which is essential for students. The last thing you need is your laptop crashing when you have an essay to turn in.
What to Look for in a Student Laptop
Trust us when we tell you that not all laptops are built the same. There are business laptops and gaming laptops, laptops with high tech specifications for creatives using advanced software and laptops that are best for browsing Facebook and YouTube. To make sure you don’t get lost in the huge amount of options, here are some thinks you should keep an eye out for when choosing the best student laptop:
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Performance – A solid processor (Intel i5 or better), at least 8GB of RAM, and an SSD for fast start-up and multitasking.
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Portability – A lightweight design and a screen size between 13–15 inches is ideal for moving between lectures and study spots.
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Battery Life – You want something that can last at least a full day without needing to charge.
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Webcam and Microphone – These are essential for Zoom classes, study groups, and online meetings.
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Price & Value – Refurbished laptops provide excellent value, especially when they’ve been professionally restored and come with warranty protection.
Top 5 Refurbished Laptops for Students
We’ve gone through our extensive selection of refurbished laptops and picked the top five that we think are ideal for student life. Check out the list below for reliable and affordable student laptops.
MacBook Air M1 (2020)
The M1 chip changed the game for Apple laptops. It's fast, incredibly efficient, and absolutely silent. This laptop does not have a noisy fan that will sound like your computer is getting ready for liftoff in the middle of lecture! The MacBook Air M1 is perfect for students who want power, portability, and long battery life. It is great for creative arts students working in design, video, or media.
Specs: Apple M1 chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 13.3-inch Retina display
Why it’s great: Lightweight, all-day battery, excellent display, ideal for coursework and creativity
Price range: From €799 at Wisetek Store
Explore refurbished MacBooks here.
Dell Latitude 7420
This is a business-grade laptop that works just as well for students. It has a sleek build and solid internals and is great for everything from taking notes to running multiple browser tabs without lag. This laptop is rugged and reliable which make it a smart pick for daily use.
Specs: Intel i5 11th Gen, 8–16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 14-inch Full HD display
Why it’s great: Durable build, excellent keyboard, great for typing essays or handling spreadsheets
Price range: From €499 at Wisetek Store
Browse Dell Refurbished laptops here.
Lenovo ThinkPad X280
This is a compact, durable machine with the classic ThinkPad feel. Well known for their legendary keyboards, ThinkPads are built to last and can handle being jostled around in a backpack day in and day out. The X280 is a solid choice for students who want a professional device without the price tag.
Specs: Intel i5 8th Gen, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 12.5-inch display
Why it’s great: Ultra-portable, sturdy, long-lasting battery
Price range: From €429 at Wisetek Store
HP ProBook 640 G5
This laptop is a quiet powerhouse. Its modern specs, a crisp display, and a clean, professional design make it suitable for students who need a machine that can keep up with heavy multitasking and even some light editing work.
Specs: Intel i5 8th Gen, 8–16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 14-inch Full HD display
Why it’s great: Ideal balance between affordability and power
Price range: From €459 at Wisetek Store
Chromebook Series (e.g. Acer / HP)
If you need a computer for browsing, writing, and streaming, a Chromebook is a brilliant option. With its compact design and simple operating system, it is perfect for notetaking and online coursework. Chromebooks are simple, secure, and very affordable. Just make sure your course doesn’t require Windows or Mac-specific software.
Specs: Varies, typically 4GB RAM, 32–64GB SSD, 11–14-inch displays
Why it’s great: Great for younger students or light users, super easy to use
Price range: From €179 at Wisetek Store
Why Choose Refurbished Tech?
Refurbished laptops offer unbeatable value for money. At Wisetek Store, every device goes through a certified refurbishment process which means it has been thoroughly tested, cleaned, repaired where necessary, and restored to full working condition.
All of our products come with a 1-year warranty, free delivery, and a 30-day returns policy, which means that you’re protected in case anything goes wrong. An added perk is that buying refurbished tech supports sustainability by extending the life of high-quality tech and keeping waste out of landfills. This is truly a win-win for your wallet and the environment.
Refurbished laptops are smart, reliable, and ideal for anyone shopping on a budget, especially students.
Conclusion
Buying a laptop for school or university doesn’t have to mean an end to summer holidays in the sun. Whether you're a secondary school student, heading off to college, or just looking for a machine to get you through the semester, there are affordable options out there that don’t skimp on quality.
Wisetek Store offers some of the best student laptop deals in Ireland, with tested and refurbished devices you can count on. In fact, we count on them so much that we include a 12-month warranty with all of our laptops, proudly backed by excellent customer support.
Looking for laptops for students in Ireland that are high-quality and low-cost?
Browse Wisetek’s full range of student-ready refurbished laptops here.