Everything you need to know about buying a refurbished laptop

Let’s be honest: tech prices aren’t getting any lower. Whether you’re a student trying to stretch a budget or a professional looking for a powerful workstation, the new price tag on a high-end machine can be a bit of a gut punch. This is exactly why buying a refurbished laptop has become one of the smartest moves you can make in 2026. 

At PC Renewed, we want to maintain transparency with our customers on buying a refurbished laptop, so here is everything you need to know about finding a laptop that has been refurbished that is reliable and performs to a high standard.  

So, what’s the difference between a used and a refurbished laptop?

There is a major difference between buying a used laptop and buying a laptop that has been refurbished. A used laptop is sold as is, without undergoing a process to refurbish it. This means that you inherit the scratches and hardware issues that come with it. 

When you’re buying a refurbished laptop from a professional refurbisher, such as PC Renewed, you’re getting a machine that has been stripped down, cleaned, tested, and restored. We run multi-point checks on everything from the SSD speed to the keyboard responsiveness. It’s essentially a second lease on life for a premium machine.

Understanding the grades 

Not all refurbished tech is created equal. To help you know exactly what’s arriving at your door, we use a grading system. This is the best way to balance your budget with your expectations:

• Platinum grade: These are among the highest quality of our refurbished tech. Every platinum device will go through a meticulous refurbishment process that ensures it reaches our highest standards.
• Grade A: These refurbished laptops are in excellent cosmetic shape and have only either minimal or barely visible marks. These laptops and desktops are also fully functional and include all of their original components.
• Grade B: Refurbished laptops and desktops that fall into the B grading will maintain varying degrees of functionality, too, and might have moderate scuffing or light wear.

How to ensure you’re getting a reliable device

If you’re feeling nervous about buying a laptop that has been refurbished, here are three things you should always look for:

1. A real warranty: Never buy refurbished without at least a 12-month warranty. It’s the best way to know that the seller trusts their work. 
2. Battery health: Ask about the battery. At PC Renewed, we ensure our batteries meet high-performance standards so you aren’t tethered to a wall outlet all day.
3. The right specs: Don’t settle for less than 8GB of RAM and an SSD (Solid State Drive). Anything less will feel sluggish, no matter how new it looks.

Buying the perfect refurbished laptop for you

The perfect laptop depends entirely on your day-to-day life.

• For the student: Look for a 13-inch or 14-inch model. Portability is key when you’re running between lectures; for example, the Dell Latitude 5420 Core i5 11th Gen.
• For the remote worker: Prioritise a fast processor (like a Core i5 ) and a great webcam. 
• For the casual online shopper: If you just need to check emails and watch Netflix, a Grade B machine with a clear screen will save you hundreds.

Buying a refurbished laptop isn’t just about saving money (though that’s a huge perk) but is also extremely advantageous for the planet. By choosing refurbished, you’re keeping high-quality hardware out of landfills and reducing the demand for new manufacturing. Ready to find your next upgrade? Browse our collection of certified refurbished laptops and find the one that fits your budget and your lifestyle. Get in touch with one of our experts at PC Renewed today!