Refurbished vs. New: What’s Right for You?

Author: Luke Adkins Date Posted: 4 September 2024

When buying a laptop, you might be tempted to go for the latest model from a major retailer. But what if you could get a laptop with better build quality, similar performance, and a much lower price tag? That’s where refurbished business-grade laptops come into play. In this article, we'll explore why opting for a refurbished laptop might just be the best decision for you, whether you’re working, studying, or just browsing the web.

Cost Comparison

Refurbished Business-Grade Laptops vs. New Consumer-Grade Laptops

Let’s look at specific models and their specs to see how the prices compare:

Dell Latitude 7410 vs. Dell Inspiron 15 5000

Dell Latitude 7410 (Refurbished)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-10310U (10th Gen, 1.70GHz)
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 14" FHD
- Price: $519.00
Dell Inspiron 15 5000 (New)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7 (11th Gen, 2.40GHz)
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6" FHD
- Price: $1,349.00

The Dell Latitude 7410 provides a similar experience in performance and usability but at a significantly lower cost compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 5000.

Prices are accurate as of the time of writing.

Lenovo ThinkPad X390 Yoga vs. Lenovo Yoga 530

Lenovo ThinkPad X390 Yoga (Refurbished)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-8265U (8th Gen)
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 13.3" FHD Touchscreen
- Price: $448.00
Lenovo Yoga 530 (New)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-8250U (8th Gen)
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 14" FHD Touchscreen
- Price: $1,299.00

Both models have nearly identical specifications, but the refurbished ThinkPad X390 Yoga costs 66% less.

HP EliteBook x360 1040 G6 vs. HP Envy x360 13

HP EliteBook x360 1040 G6 (Refurbished)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-8665U (8th Gen, 1.90GHz)
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 14" FHD Touchscreen
- Price: $459.00
HP Envy x360 13 (New)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1165G7 (11th Gen, 2.80GHz)
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 13.3" FHD Touchscreen
- Price: $1,899.00

Although the new HP Envy x360 comes with a slightly newer processor and larger storage capacity, the HP EliteBook x360 1040 G6 offers nearly identical performance for typical tasks at less than 25% of the price.

Prices are accurate as of the time of writing.

Quality and Durability

Business-Grade vs. Consumer-Grade:

Business-grade laptops are built to last, with high-quality materials and superior hardware. They are designed to withstand the demands of professional use, offering durability and longevity that most consumer-grade laptops can’t match.

Pros and Cons:

Feature	Business-Grade (Refurbished)	Consumer-Grade (New)
Build Quality	Superior (e.g., magnesium alloy casing)	Moderate (e.g., plastic casing)
Hardware	High-end components, better cooling	Standard components
Price	Much lower for similar performance	Significantly higher
Durability	Built for heavy use, longer lifespan	Average durability
Upgradability	Often easier to upgrade	Limited upgradability
Warranty	12-month warranty with Australian Computer Traders	Manufacturer's warranty
Environmental Impact	Supports sustainability, reduces e-waste	New manufacturing has a larger footprint

Example Comparison:

The HP EliteBook x360 1040 G6 from Australian Computer Traders costs $459.00, offering solid performance, business-class durability, and features similar to a new HP Envy x360 priced at $1,899.00 from a major Australian retailer.
The Dell Latitude 7410 from Australian Computer Traders costs $519.00, providing similar specs and durability as a new Dell Inspiron 15 5000, priced at $1,349.00 from a major Australian retailer.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X390 Yoga from Australian Computer Traders costs $448.00, offering almost identical specs to a new Lenovo Yoga 530, which is priced at $1,299.00 from a major Australian retailer.

Performance for Everyday Tasks

Suitable Tasks:

Refurbished business-grade laptops are perfect for everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, and working on cloud-based applications. They offer reliable performance that meets the needs of most users, and in many cases, they can outperform new consumer-grade laptops.

Example: The HP EliteBook x360 1040 G6 handles multitasking, professional work, and media consumption with ease, at a fraction of the cost of a new consumer laptop.

Longevity and Upgradability:

Refurbished models, such as the Dell Latitude, HP EliteBook, and Lenovo ThinkPad series, are often easier to upgrade, allowing you to extend their lifespan further by adding more RAM or upgrading the storage.

Sustainability and Circular Economy

Environmental Impact:

Choosing a refurbished laptop isn’t just good for your wallet—it’s good for the planet too. By opting for a refurbished device, you’re helping to reduce electronic waste and support the circular economy. This means fewer resources are used to manufacture new products, and fewer old devices end up in landfills.

Sustainability:

Each refurbished laptop purchased from Australian Computer Traders contributes to reducing the environmental impact of electronic waste.

Circular Economy:

Refurbished laptops are a key part of the circular economy, which focuses on reusing, repairing, and recycling products to extend their lifecycle. This not only conserves resources but also helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with producing new electronics.

Which One is Right for You?

If you’re looking for a laptop that offers great value, durability, and performance, a refurbished business-grade laptop from Australian Computer Traders is a fantastic choice. You’ll get a high-quality machine that’s built to last, without breaking the bank. Plus, you’ll be making a more sustainable choice. Check out our selection of Dell Latitude, Lenovo ThinkPad, and HP EliteBook laptops today and find the perfect device for your needs.

Ready to make a smart, sustainable choice? Explore our range of high-quality refurbished laptops and see how much you can save without compromising on quality. Visit Australian Computer Traders now to get started!