Why buy a refurbished laptop?

A refurbished laptop usually costs well below the price of the same model new, and the business-class ranges we stock, such as Dell Latitude, Lenovo ThinkPad and HP EliteBook, were built to be used hard every working day. You get a more capable machine for the money, and you keep a perfectly good laptop in use instead of adding to e-waste. If budget is your starting point, our guide to the best refurbished laptops under £300 shows which specs are worth paying for and which are not.

How we test and grade every laptop

Each laptop goes through a 21-point testing process covering cosmetic checks, operational tests and hardware stress testing. We wipe all data, install the operating system and supply genuine Microsoft licensing. Then we grade the condition so you know what to expect before you buy:

• Grade 1 (excellent): light scratches or scuffs on the case at most, slight wear on the touchpad or keyboard, and a screen free from blemishes.
• Grade 2 (good): more noticeable signs of use than Grade 1, which can include small dents or light screen blemishes.
• Grade 3 (fair): the heaviest signs of use, with the lowest price for the same performance.

Grading describes appearance only. Components and software are tested to the same standard whichever grade you choose. The full definitions are on our refurbished grading guide. Battery life matters on a laptop, so we also expect at least one hour of battery life when your laptop arrives. If you want to check yours after it arrives, here is how to check laptop battery health.

12-month warranty on every laptop

Unless a listing says otherwise, every laptop includes a 12-month return-to-base warranty covering hardware faults. If something goes wrong, contact us for a returns number, send the laptop back and we will repair or replace it. Batteries are treated as consumables and sit outside the 12-month cover, but if a battery problem appears within 30 days of purchase we will send a replacement battery. The details are on our warranty information page, and the returns policy explains what to do if you change your mind. For a plain-English walkthrough, read refurbished laptop warranty explained.

Shop refurbished laptops by brand

• Dell refurbished laptops: Latitude and Vostro models, popular for office and home working.
• Lenovo refurbished laptops: ThinkPad ranges known for keyboards and build quality.
• HP refurbished laptops: EliteBook, ProBook and ZBook business laptops.
• Apple refurbished MacBooks: MacBook Pro models for creative and everyday use.
• Microsoft Surface laptops: slim Surface Laptop and Surface Pro devices.

Choosing the right spec

For everyday work, browsing and video calls, a modern Intel Core i5 with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD is a sensible starting point. Move up to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD if you run lots of browser tabs, work with large spreadsheets or keep many programs open at once. Screen size changes how portable the laptop feels: 14-inch models are easier to carry, while 15.6-inch models give you more room to work. Not sure what a screen size means in practice? Our laptop screen size guide shows how to measure and compare. If you need a laptop for design work, see the best laptops for graphic design. Wondering how long a refurbished laptop lasts? Read how long a refurbished laptop lasts, and if you are replacing an older Windows 10 machine, see whether to buy a refurbished Windows 11 laptop now.

Refurbished or second-hand?

They are not the same thing. A second-hand laptop is sold as it was used, usually with no testing and no warranty. A refurbished laptop is tested, data-wiped, graded and supported. Our comparison of refurbished vs second-hand laptops sets out the differences, and the 5 factors to check before buying refurbished tech is a handy checklist whoever you buy from.

Laptops for students, schools and businesses

Students can claim a discount by verifying their status through Student Beans; see the student discount page, or browse our picks of the best laptops under £500 for students. Schools and colleges can apply for an education account, and resellers and businesses buying in volume can set up a trade account. If you would rather spread the cost, Klarna and PayPal Credit are available; the finance page has the details.

Delivery and support

Orders are dispatched on the next working day, Monday to Friday, and sent by DPD Next Day Delivery with tracking. See the delivery information page for full details. Questions before you buy? Call 0161 553 0117 or email hello@gigarefurb.co.uk and we will help you choose.

Complete your setup

Pair your laptop with a refurbished monitor for a bigger screen at your desk, browse computer components and accessories, or, if a laptop is not the right fit, compare our refurbished desktop PCs.

Refurbished laptop questions

Are refurbished laptops reliable?

Yes, when they are properly tested. Ours go through a 21-point test including hardware stress testing, and every laptop includes a 12-month return-to-base warranty on hardware faults.

Does a refurbished laptop come with Windows?

Our laptops are supplied with genuine Microsoft licensing, and many come with Windows 11 Pro installed. Check the operating system on each product page before you buy.

What is the difference between Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3?

The grade describes how the laptop looks, not how it performs. Grade 1 is the cleanest, Grade 2 shows more signs of use, and Grade 3 shows the most. All grades are tested to the same standard, as set out on our grading guide.

How good is the battery on a refurbished laptop?

We expect at least one hour of battery life on arrival, and we will replace a faulty battery reported within 30 days of purchase. Batteries wear with use, so treat them as a consumable.