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Regardless of its route to the laptop spa, manufacturers or third-party authorized refurbishers typically sanitize, sort and grade the units based on physical look and functionality. They disassemble each one, checking for damaged components, battery function, screen quality, power supply, loose connections, hard drive and optical drive. If a seller does not follow a process like this, the product isn't really refurbished; it's used.
Missing or defective components — RAM, graphic cards, capacitors, ICs, hard disks — are replaced and the machine undergoes a complete data wipe. The laptop is then tested, cosmetic defects repaired, and a new OS is installed before being packaged for its new home.
That last software bit is critical, Cade said, as sometimes people buy refurbished without the OS installed — and that is a no-no. Some sellers may try to install the original OS and pass it on to buyers, but that would not be a legal license. MARs have agreements with Microsoft to copy properly licensed operating systems (primarily Windows 10) onto refurbished units.
After a refurbisher inspects, cleans, repairs and restores a used or returned laptop to factory settings, the unit is certified to be in good working order and returned to the retailer or manufacturer for sale at a discount.
Your refurbished laptop purchase should come with an assurance that the seller guarantees the product. It's not like you bought it out of the trunk of a car downtown (where I once purchased an excellent used Apple notebook). Make sure the equipment has a solid warranty — a year is considered standard these days, but it is not universal.
Some refurbished laptop warranties may be shorter than for new products and typically do not cover battery life, but each vendor is different, so read the fine print before adding the item to your shopping cart. You should get 30 days at least, and Microsoft requires a minimum 90-day warranty. Apple and refurbishers such as PCRR warranty their laptops for a year.
Also, look for a generous return policy so you get to test the machine and otherwise make sure the unit suits you. Rechargeable batteries are considered consumables and have a natural lifespan, so you'll want to make sure your refurbished laptop can hold a charge. Amazon states that new, used and refurbished products purchased from Marketplace vendors are subject to the returns' policy of the individual vendor. Some 14-day money-back return policies involve a restocking fee, so watch out.
When you or a loved one opens the box containing a refurbished laptop, you hope to see a gleaming, undamaged exterior free of scratches and dings. The keyboard should have that new keyboard look as opposed to specific keys looking shiny or worn. The screen should be clear and bright. Anything less could be a letdown.
Buyers should always look for a condition statement on the refurbished product page. The retailer usually discloses cosmetic flaws in the product description, but not always. Apple's site contains a general statement of standards linked to each refurbished product on sale, but otherwise does not have a condition report on each product page. Amazon includes a general condition linked to a pop-up page of general condition guidelines.
MORE: Out of the Box Tips: Set Up Your New Laptop Like a Pro
Microsoft refurbisher Cade said, "We try to make the product look good — especially keyboards, cases, palm rests — those things have to be in Grade A shape. If you get a laptop that doesn't look nice, or there's scratches, or the keyboard is wonky, it may be an indication that they didn't do a good job of making the computer run."
Nonetheless, cosmetic standards vary. The case could have some dings and imperfections that do not affect the unit's computing power, and buyers of refurbished laptops should be prepared for a product that does not look factory-fresh. Nonetheless, buyers should be sure to check for telltale signs that the new unit may not be up to standard: details like dead pixels on the screen, noisy hard drives, loose or squeaky hinges, or obvious signs of wear.
Tip 3: Know the Difference Between Refurbished and Certified
Online marketplaces like eBay and Craigslist do not check the condition of laptops offered for sale on their sites; they just connect buyers and sellers and both are on their own. While online trade-in services like Gadget Salvation, Gazelle.com and others offer varying degrees of certification, their standards vary and are not always transparent.

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