Why buy new when you can save money and reduce waste with a secondhand computer? Dell’s range of refurbished laptop and PC deals are not to be missed, promising you better value for money than you’ll find anywhere else. If you’re looking for a cheap laptop, this just might be the best way to get hold of one from a known brand.
Dell is not the only well-known laptop maker to list refurbished deals, with Apple and Lenovo also notable for their efforts in this area. But while Lenovo lists its own refurbished Windows laptops in the US, Dell also manages sales of its secondhand machines in the UK. Right now these Dell deals are available only to UK customers.
What is a refurbished laptop or PC?
Refurbished computers can be those that were originally sold with a defect or were otherwise faulty, perhaps subject to a recall. They can also be items that were returned in full working order, for example unwanted gifts.
In Dell’s case they are items that were previously leased out for an average 36-month period and have been returned, which means you might not find the most recent products but you can still source some great savings on slightly older but still decent-quality kit.
The manufacturer will ensure any faults have been fixed before resale, which means that in many cases you can buy a laptop or PC that is almost as good as new but at a fraction of the price.
There will almost certainly still be some signs of wear and tear, however. Dell lists all its refurbished kit with Cosmetic Grade A or B.
An A-graded product is one that is in excellent to very good condition. Some may have no visible damage, while others have only light scratches and minor blemishes. You might, for instance, notice a shiny area on the trackpad or frequently used keys where they have been pressed more than others.
A B-graded product is one that has some scratches or other surface imperfections, but functionally is in full working order. Grade B laptops and PCs are sold cheaper than Grade A products.
Refurbished vs Used
“Refurbished” and “used” have two very different meanings. A used PC or laptop will likely have some wear and tear, and some degree of degradation, particularly in terms of battery life. When you buy a used computer you are relying on the assurances of the seller that it is in full working order, and that nothing untoward (such as a virus) has been installed on it.
However, a refurbished computer has been carefully restored by the manufacturer, with all components checked for performance and efficacy and replaced where necessary, and it comes with a limited warranty for additional peace of mind.
Dell’s warranty spans 180 days, and covers defects in materials and workmanship in the hardware. It does not cover software, including the operating system, nor expendable parts (the battery) or any accidental or malicious damage.
Should you buy a new laptop instead?
It’s going to be a personal decision whether you buy new or refurbished. There are some instances of people buying refurbished computers only to find out that despite the rigorous checks they are faulty, or that they develop problems later down the line. This is also true of those buying new machines, of course, though these come with a more comprehensive warranty that will span at least a full year. New machines also have zero wear and tear, looking and feeling like a brand-new computer.
However, by taking on some level of additional risk you stand to make significant savings, and you will be doing your bit to help to cut down on the number of working computers that are disposed of, and therefore the manufacture of new machines that can come at a greater cost to the environment.
If you decide to go down the refurbished route we’ve listed some great Dell laptop and PC deals below. Note that these are limited in number and therefore go out of stock fast, so grab them while you can. If you’d rather buy new and are looking for the best value, check out our round-up of the best budget laptops, as well as the best Dell laptop deals and best laptop deals.
Author: Marie Black, Editorial Director
Marie is Editorial Director at Foundry. A Journalism graduate from the London College of Printing, she's worked in tech media for more than 17 years, managing our EMEA and LatAm editorial teams and leading on content strategy through Foundry's transition from print, to digital, to online - and beyond.