Refurbished laptops. What they are, find out how to choose them

The range of refurbished portable computers is gaining more and more interest among users. But what exactly do refurbished computers consist of?

laptops and how should they be chosen?

Let's find out together in this article.

What are refurbished laptops?

Just like refurbished smartphones, PCs or notebooks can also be refurbished to allow them to be used again.

Reconditioning, also known by the English term refurbished, is an activity that consists of the repair, updating and complete and thorough cleaning of the device, which is then put back on sale as regenerated or reconditioned with a 12-month warranty.

This is a category that is rapidly growing in interest, given that it allows you to purchase a high-performance notebook at an excellent cost. Refurbished portable and desktop computers are in fact the category that has the best quality/price ratio on the IT market.

Where do refurbished laptop computers come from?

There is no illegal system behind this notebook market, but simply, as with cars, the desire to give a second life to company equipment that can still be useful.

The business and corporate fleet market is in fact based on an almost continuous turnover of devices, which are replaced mainly for fiscal or bureaucratic purposes.

This leads to laptops being "discarded" that are still very performing and have been used little or not at all.

In some cases they are even laptops that have never been used, but only purchased incorrectly.

Finally, sometimes they can be machines that have only been exhibited, perhaps in "demo rooms" or in trade fair locations.

Refurbished laptops, the process

To become a refurbished notebook , each of the products belonging to one of the above-mentioned categories must pass a rigorous inspection and cleaning process, as also required by a specific law.

First of all, the devices are checked in every aspect and functionality, in order to verify that they are 100% functional.

Any components that do not pass this test will be replaced, in order to bring the machine to the maximum possible performance.

The device drivers are then updated and all updates are performed. The same type of check is then also performed on all the accessories present, from the power supplies to any external peripherals that are part of the article.

This control is a fundamental part of the quality of refurbished laptops. This is why it is carried out by specialized companies who have the skills and means to carry out a complete overhaul, update and to guarantee the 12 month warranty required by law for this type of equipment.

The process then ends with complete cleaning and sanitization of the product. An activity carried out in a professional manner, which guarantees that the product we are purchasing is like new.

Used or refurbished?

There are various thermals that are used for these devices. Some have the same meaning, some don't.

Therefore we will have to be very careful when choosing.

Reconditioned, refurbished and refurbished all mean the same thing, they are equivalent terms and can be exchanged and compared without problems.

A used notebook , on the other hand, is a device that has been used for a long time and which is usually sold as is, often even with the well-known "seen and liked" formula.

Guarantee of a refurbished notebook

As already indicated, a refurbished notebook must come with a minimum 12-month warranty. The law provides for it, therefore it is the user's full right to request and obtain it.

Why choose refurbished laptops?

A refurbished computer usually has a maximum lifespan of three years. Despite this "age", the fact that it is perfectly updated and cleaned makes it suitable for many applications, with the advantage of spending much less than an equivalent new machine.

The advantages are not only economic, but there are various reasons that make more and more people inclined to evaluate and choose a refurbished laptop. In particular:

a refurbished laptop usually costs around 60% less than its new version

the operating system installed in it will be updated to the latest update and licensed

you help save the environment by reducing the amount of electronic waste and the unnecessary production of new items

support local work. Unlike the production process of a new computer which is now almost entirely entrusted to Eastern countries, the remanufacturing activity employs Italian professionals and companies.

What types of laptops and brands can they buy?

All types of laptops available on the market are also available in remanufactured versions. Same thing also for brands, especially the most prestigious and well-known ones.

What are the possible uses of refurbished computers?

As with the previous point, any use possible for new refurbished computers is also feasible for refurbished ones. It will only be necessary, as with new machines, to choose devices that have the right characteristics for the use we want to put them to.

The grades of refurbished computers

When we look for a refurbished laptop, we often find the degree of refurbishment indicated next to the brand and the technical characteristics. A value indicated by the letters of the alphabet and which usually ranges from the best "A" to the worst "D".

But what exactly do these letters mean?

Grade A

All notebooks that end up in this category have no aesthetic defect or if present it is truly minimal and only noticeable up close and with great attention. It is often considered comparable to a new laptop.

Grade B

Technically this computer is perfect and fully functional. Updated and clean from a performance point of view, but less so from an aesthetic point of view. Grade B laptops may in fact show light signs of wear or small scratches and dents on the external and internal surfaces.

Grade C

Once again, the laptop is technically perfect, but scratches and wear are starting to become quite visible. The case may even be chipped or broken in small areas. This is the last grade in which the computer is sold and only in rare cases.

D grade

The laptop has major defects that can also hinder its performance. There are no refurbished laptops of this grade on the market. Machines classified with this letter are in fact usually disposed of or used only for spare parts.

Refurbished laptop computers, conclusions

An interesting opportunity, which combines the best possible quality/price ratio and also winks at ecology and the environment. Why not think about it for your next laptop?