Refurbished tech can save you hundreds without compromising on quality. The secondhand consumer IT industry is booming, and we are here to guide you through what might seem like a minefield. Here are some of the key things to consider when shopping for a preowned laptop, desktop, or phone.
Types of Refurbs
The quality of a refurbished asset can vary depending on the type of work that's gone into it. A refurbished device may simply be a customer's return within days of the original purchase. Or perhaps a perfectly working item with damaged packaging - or maybe no packaging at all? Then again, a seller may advertise “refurbished” after just a quick wipe and clean of something well-worn and pre-loved. You could also land yourself an actual repaired phone or laptop, with perhaps new parts installed into an old housing. When buying refurbished, your best bet is to ask what specifically was refurbished and pay attention to the warranty and/or returns policy.
The refurbishment process includes cleaning, testing, and restoration by skilled technicians who make sure that the units are fully functional before going back on the market. A few things to keep an eye on are: battery life, which cannot be replenished unless replaced, the displays aren't missing pixels or bleeding color, and all keys are responsive.
Quality of products
With that in mind, buying refurbished technology like laptops or personal computers can be an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to purchasing new, while guaranteeing the same quality. When it comes to performance, the difference between a refurbished unit and a new unit is usually negligible. This is especially true if the device comes with a warranty, since any component showing signs of being worn out is typically replaced for the device to breathe new life again.
The biggest difference between buying refurbished and new is then usually cosmetic. Minor cosmetic scratches or scuffs may appear on the casing of a refurbished unit, but not to such an extent that it affects the use of the product. In addition, if you're looking for commercial quantities of refurbished equipment, a diligent reseller will make sure their units are factory reset and separated into a grading scale that is forthright and transparent.
Sustainability and Environmental impacts
It is also important to consider the impact your purchase of electronics has on the environment.
The production of electronics comes with a massive environmental cost. It starts with the extraction of rare minerals, washing and treatment of raw materials, and transportation across the globe to reach the end-user. By buying refurbished IT, especially if you can manage to source it locally, you're reducing your footprint and giving the Earth a breath of fresh air at a time it needs it most.
IT excellent value
Believe it or not, you can save up to 80% on the new price by choosing refurbished. New models are being released every year, and a global chip shortage is keeping the price of new units high. This doesn't make older models useless. A decade ago, the best iPhone on the market was the iPhone 4S, and that suited us all just fine. You don't even need to go back to those prehistoric times to get a good deal. A model or two below the current frontrunner, something around 1 to 3 years old, will still serve you very well at a fraction of the cost.
There are multiple reasons to go for refurbished technology over new. A refurbished asset can be a steal if you ask the right questions and protect your purchase. With something like laptops, the post-pandemic demand for new models is higher than ever, potentially making used the way to go. Not only will you save money, but you'll also be playing your part in the circular economy.