We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Hardware

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are Factory Refurbished Laptops?

By Alicia Sparks
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 9,279
Share

A factory refurbished laptop is a laptop that was previously owned and for some reason returned to the manufacturer by the customer. Such a laptop is repaired, returned to its original state, and put through a series of tests before it receives its “refurbished” status and resold. Generally, factory refurbished laptops are less expensive than most other models. Other factors, such as the brand and system components, can also affect the price. Buyers can find these laptops at manufacturer or third-party distributor locations.

Buyers should understand that not all factory refurbished laptops were returned for major problems, and some are not returned for problems at all. Customers return their laptops for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the laptop has a slight internal or external defect. Other times, the customer decides he wants a different color or needs a bigger model. Businesses or schools might place orders that are too large and need to return a few laptops.

Once a factory receives a returned laptop, it will put it through a specific series of repairs and reconditioning steps before putting it back on the market. Although these steps might vary by company, typically they include repairing the problem as well as cleaning the hard drive and memory and reinstalling the operating system. Some companies might also repair any cosmetic damage, such as nicks and dings in the casing, but this is not standard. Only once the repaired computer passes all tests will the company resell it. It is for these reasons factory refurbished laptops are not the same as secondhand laptops.

Since factory refurbished laptops were previously owned, manufacturers typically sell them for less expensive prices than their brand-new counterparts. This does not mean that all refurbished laptops are cheap in price, though. Other factors, like the computer’s brand, system components, and size can cause the price to increase or decrease. Still, a rebuilt computer might be an ideal option for a buyer on a budget. Both a business owner in need of several laptops and a college student in need of just one can take advantage of the financial benefits.

People can purchase factory refurbished laptops directly from the manufacturer or from approved third-party distributors. Some manufacturers and distributors sell these laptops on their websites, at their store locations, or both. Before purchasing a refurbished computer, it’s important to shop around and compare brands and prices. Buyers can read reviews of a particular manufacturer’s factory refurbished products to better understand the company’s reputation. Anyone interested in purchasing a factory refurbished computer should first understand any warranty or return policy the company offers.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By Markerrag — On Mar 30, 2014

It has long been said that people shouldn't buy used laptops because those tend to be used a lot harder than regular computers. That, of course, is why the average life of a laptop is generally shorter than that of a desktop. People generally drag laptops around with them and that can be tough on hardware.

Are refurbished laptops an exception to that rule?

Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-are-factory-refurbished-laptops.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.