For many, buying a refurbished laptop is more than a way to save money, it’s also good for the environment, and with persistent component shortages and shipping delays, buyers may find a better selection. But buying a refurbished device comes with its own set of challenges that must be addressed to ensure you end up with a machine that works for you. Here, we’ll set forth a checklist to use when you’re in the market for a used laptop.

The most important aspect of buying refurbished is the product source, which can be a manufacturer, a retailer, a third-party reseller or an individual, say someone selling their used laptop on KSL. The riskiest sources are the classifieds because you are relying solely on the honesty of the seller. Even with a test drive, you would not know if the unit was stolen and mechanical problems may not show up until you’ve used it for some time. Unless you know the seller and can negotiate a trial use period before full payment is made, I’d avoid buying from the classifieds no matter how great the deal appears to be.

Most major manufacturers offer refurbished units, including Apple, Dell, Google, Microsoft and Samsung. Do a quick search for the manufacturer with the word “refurbished” and you’ll zero in on their available units. Before clicking on a search result, check that you are indeed going to the manufacturer’s website.

Similarly, the big retailers that sell computers offer refurbished units. You can rely on BestBuy Outlet, Amazon Renewed and Amazon Warehouse, as well as Walmart. Finally, look into refurb specialists such as Decluttr and BackMarket, where the latter offers students an additional 5% off the price.

In general, sticking with the original manufacturer carries the least risk because they’ll have the right packaging and parts to make the product as close to new as possible. Look for “factory-certified” or similar labeling.

Before you start comparing units across sources and against one another at the same outlet, know the minimum specifications you require. If your laptop is less than five years old and you’ve increased your usage demands, look for an upgrade in terms of processing power and RAM. For instance, you might want to move from an Intel i3 processor up to an i5 or even an i7. If you currently have 4 gigabytes of RAM, look for a unit with 8GB or more. If your computer is older, assess how you use it to determine what you’ll need. For casual users, a laptop released in the last two years with a basic processor and 4GB of RAM will likely be sufficient.

Now that you know what you’re looking for, you’ll want to note the condition of the laptops you’re considering. All should be factory refurbished, but if you don’t mind a few dents or scratches on the casing, that’s a great way to save money.

You will want to check that the laptop comes with all of its accessories. I have seen refurbished units for sale that do not include the charger, which could be inconvenient at best and will certainly cost you more money. Also, check which version of Windows is installed on the machine. If you buy one with Windows 11 installed on it, you won’t have to bother with upgrading it later, or pay for Windows if the current version is no longer supported by Microsoft.

The sellers mentioned above offer a warranty with their refurbished products. Warranty information is usually at the very bottom of a product listing, so take a hard look and compare them for your selections.

Check the return policy for each seller. It can take a period of using a laptop before you notice any problems. A reasonable amount of time for a laptop is 30 days minimum. Don’t delay using your new device because the clock will be ticking. Avoid any offers that say “final sale” and certainly never buy a product that’s listed “as is.”

Finally, don’t rule out buying new. You may find a great sale that brings the specs you want into the range you planned on spending for a refurbished model. In that case, you don’t have to worry about warranties or returns, and you’ll have current-generation technology.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness, and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.

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