Refurbished Notebooks

In recent years, laptop computers have actually become more popular than desktop PCs due to their size and convenience. When you buy a refurbished laptop computer, you get all the advantages of carrying around a compact, powerful notebook computer without paying a huge price for it.

Notebook computer manufacturers, including Gateway, Dell, Toshiba, HP and Sony, all produce a large number of refurbished notebooks that are as powerful and capable as their desktop cousins. Whether you need a low cost Sempron or Celeron laptop, or a high-powered Turion 64 or Intel Core Duo processor, the marketplace currently has a growing selection of refurbished laptop computers available at very affordable prices.

Additional Considerations For Used Laptops

When buying a used laptop computer, there are some key considerations to keep in mind regarding such a piece of equipment. The main ones are battery power, laptop size, and laptop weight. Many refurbished laptops are overstock items that retail stores couldn't sell due to their unpopular battery duration, size and weight.

• Batteries - Currently, lithium ion batteries (also shown as Li-Ion) are the best type of battery you can get for a laptop. They are lighter than previous types of laptop batteries, and they don't have nearly as many problems with recharging.
• Size - Consider where you will use your laptop most often and pick one based upon that. If you are using it on your desk in lieu of a desktop computer, then larger models are fine. However, if you constantly use it on the go, then a smaller size laptop might be preferrable.
• Weight - Again, if you are planning to use your laptop in airports, in a taxi, during your flight, etc., and you will carry it everywhere you go, then buy light. Some of the more powerful refurbished notebooks can weigh between 15 and 20 lbs. If the thought of carrying such a weight all day is unpleasant, then look for a laptop in the 7 to 10 lbs range. There are plenty of them.

Although price is usually the main motivation for choosing a refurbished notebook or a brand new laptop, it is important not to overlook the factors of batteries, size and weight. It won't do you any good to save a couple hundred dollars if you have to carry around a large, heavy piece of equipment that only lasts an hour when you use it.

Classes of Refurbished Notebooks / Laptops

Refurbished notebooks are generally categorized into one of three classes. The rule is that lower cost notebooks offer basic performance and features, but are generally larger and heavier. The more expensive notebooks will have the highest quality components, but will not be in the lightest possible package.

Keep these classes in mind while shopping for refurbished notebooks and they will help you to pick a notebook computer that's right for you in terms of price, power & weight.

Last Updated: July 17th, 2007

Cheap Refurbished Notebooks

This class of refurbished notebooks features entry-level performance making them suitable for basic computing tasks like word processing and surfing the Internet. These refurbished notebooks are typically on the slightly heavier side and feature smaller, passive-matrix screens.

General Price Range: $400 to $800
Processing Power: Intel Celeron or AMD Sempron
Average Weight: 8 to 12 lbs

Ultralight Refurbished Notebooks

As the name implies, these notebooks put a premium on being light and not taking up a lot of space. Such attributes are ideal for people who are mobile much of the time and have to work in confined spaces like an airplane seat. There are a wide range of notebooks in this category. You'll find refurbished notebooks with screens in the 10-12" range and just enough power to run Microsoft Office, as well as notebooks with higher performance that trade the convenience of extra bays and expansion for low weight.

General Price Range: $500 to $1200
Processing Power: Pentium M, Pentium 4, Intel Core Duo, or AMD Turion 64
Average Weight: 7 to 9 lbs

Workhorse Refurbished Notebooks

This type of refurbished notebooks are an ideal solution for people on a budget who want a notebook computer that's powerful enough to replace their desktop computer. You'll get a decent sized screen, solid performance and an additional bay to put in a CD-Writer, an extra battery or a larger hard drive. Just don't expect these notebooks to weigh less than 10 pounds. This class of refurbished notebooks can do basically anything a desktop computer can do, except with full mobility and no need to constantly swap out drives and accessories.

General Price Range: $800 to $3000
Processing Power: Intel Core Duo, Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Turion 64 X2
Average Weight: 12 to 20 lbs