Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. Deal Evergreens

Best refurbished laptop deals: How to find cheap used computers

Add as a preferred source on Google
Image used with permission by copyright holder

With so much stuff these days needing a laptop, owning one can be necessary. That said, not everybody wants to buy a laptop, or wants to spend the large chunks of money they often cost. In fact, most folks probably need something relatively simple, and if you just need something to get online and do work, refurbished laptops are a much cheaper option for you, especially if you’re not interested in one of the best laptops on the market. That means you can snag a good laptop while saving a bit of money, and most places that sell refurbished laptops offer some kind of guarantee, so you may not even be stuck with a computer that has issues if you end up receiving one.

To that end, there are really great refurbished laptop sales that you can check out as part of Best Buy laptop deals, Dell laptop deals, HP laptop deals and Lenovo laptop deals. Alternatively, if you’re in the Apple ecosystem, take a look at these refurbished MacBook deals, or if you still want to go for something new, you could consider checking out these laptop deals instead.

Best Buy refurbished laptops — starting at $190

Best Buy’s refurbished laptops are — you guessed it — Geek Squad Certified and while they may not be free and clear of absolutely all cosmetic scuffs they are still exceptionally clean and always in working order. Some of them even come with additional software like virus tools, streaming access, like Apple TV+, and much more. Of course, the best part is that you can get a premium and fully upgraded model for less, often with more storage, more power, and more features than you would when buying a base model brand new. You’ve got some great options from Lenovo, Acer, HP, Dell, Gateway, and even Apple to choose from. The cheapest models start around $120 and increase from there. The best way to know what’s available is to head over and browse for yourself.

Shop Now

Dell Latitude — starting at $489

Dell sometimes discounts laptops and machines, for varying reasons, including clearance deals of the week to make way for new stock. That’s pretty much the case with Dell’s Latitude models with the cheapest coming in around $189 up to $229 and above. There are a lot of different models, each with individual specifications and features, so you’ll have to sift through the list, especially if you know what you’re looking for already.

Shop Now

Amazon Renewed laptops — starting at $43

Like most other e-tailers, Amazon offers a host of renewed and refurbished systems, but here’s where it gets juicy. Amazon typically runs them through a proprietary renewal process which allows them to offer many laptops and computers at an even lower discounted price. This is another instance where you’ll have to head over and browse for yourself just because Amazon’s inventory is so absolutely massive. You have Chromebooks and older machines starting around $30 to $70, with some more powerful laptops in the running beyond $200 or so. Definitely take a look before you buy new, at the very least.

Shop Now

Should you buy a refurbished laptop?

A refurbished laptop can be fantastic value for your money, but you need to look out for a few key things to make sure you don’t get ripped off. For instance, it’s vital that the refurbished laptop deals you check out are all factory refurbished, meaning the actual manufacturer repaired them. You’ll also want to make sure that the refurbished laptop has at least a 12-month warranty and that the refurbished laptop sales are from a reliable and reputable retailer.

If you stick to these things, then you should be safe. By following such ideals, you’ll ensure your refurbished laptop has been repaired by a company employee using factory parts, and the warranty means that if the same (or a different) issue pops up, you can have it repaired for free.

If you come across something that hasn’t been reconditioned in the same factory in which it was made but is still listed as certified refurbished, it’s still good to go. That tends to mean that it’s been as good as factory repaired by a professional who knows what they’re doing.

It’s sensible to stick to trusted retailers with a warranty and some form of guarantee as it avoids any chance of you accidentally buying stolen stock.

As always, remember to use common sense. If the refurbished laptop deals you’re checking out look too good to be true, they probably are. Make sure you buy from a reputable seller so you won’t be disappointed by your purchase.

Finally, as with all laptops, it’s a good idea to know what to look for. Check out our laptop buying guide and take a look at 11 common laptop buying mistakes you can easily avoid.

Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen is a technology writer with over 15 years of experience in the field. During that time, she's spent the past…
ChatGPT’s hiking advice left two hikers stranded on a mountain in Poland
The chatbot directed the pair onto a climbing route neither had the skills to finish, and it's not the first time AI has sent travelers somewhere they shouldn't have gone.
Bag, Clothing, Coat

A shortcut recommended by ChatGPT left two hikers stuck on a mountain face in Poland this month, and they needed a helicopter to get back down. It's the latest case of an AI chatbot steering travelers toward routes it has no real way to evaluate.

ChatGPT's shortcut led straight to a dead end

Read more
Firefox is doubling its update pace, and that’s good news for your security
Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla is about to speed up one of the most important parts of using Firefox: security updates. If you're used to seeing a new Firefox update land about once a month, that's about to change. Beginning in September, Mozilla plans to switch to a two-week release schedule for Firefox on desktop and Android, meaning users should start getting updates twice as often. That might sound like more frequent downloads, but it's really about closing security gaps sooner.

Why waiting a month for security fixes no longer cuts it

Read more
Anthropic confirms Claude acts differently depending on your language and which model you pick
A new study shows Claude's isn't nearly as consistent as you might assume.
Claude app on iPhone

If you've ever felt like Claude gave you a completely different vibe on one day than another, you weren't imagining it. Anthropic just published research confirming that its chatbot's personality shifts depending on which model you pick and which language you type in, and the pattern is consistent enough that it's worth knowing before you ask your next question.

The model you pick decides how Claude responds

Read more