Do you want to save money and buy yourself a good-quality laptop or phone at the same time? Buying refurbished electronics might do the job – you will get a device like new, but for fewer bucks.

Let’s get you prepared for shopping with our guide on refurbished laptops and refurbished phones.

What is a Refurbished Product?

To get started, let’s go through what factory refurbishment means. A factory refurbished product is a device or good that cannot be sold as new because it has been returned or previously used. The manufacturer or a shop will restore the product to a like-new condition. 

Before they hit the refurbished market, these devices are subject to thorough quality check and are carefully cleaned, restored and fixed.

Some of the refurbished products are the ones that have been opened but returned before they were even used because of damaged packaging. This is called Open-box refurbished. 

Buying a refurbished product will contribute to the environment and the ecosystem.

Refurbished Laptops

The refurbished laptop meaning is that the device has been restored by a professional and brought closest to the like-new condition. The refurbishing process of a laptop or a computer includes:

  • Evaluating the product
  • Disassembly of the laptop and inspecting all of the parts for damage
  • Repairing, upgrading, replacement, and reassembling of some parts if needed
  • Sanitation or physical cleaning of the laptop
  • Data cleaning of the hardware and the software from viruses
  • Testing of the product and quality control

Refurbished vs Used Laptop

Let’s see what is the difference between used and refurbished laptops and is it better for you to buy a refurbished or a used laptop. 

One of the most important differences between a refurbished and a used laptop is that the refurbished one has been professionally restored and checked. Even better, refurbished laptops can be as fast as new models of laptops.

In contrast, when you’re buying a used laptop, you only rely on the words of the previous owner and your technical knowledge. 

To sum up, is refurbished better than used? Comparing the prices, refurbished laptops can be more expensive than second-hand laptops. But all things considered, it’s worth it to pay the extra bucks and own a laptop you know has been professionally taken care of before it was resold.

Refurbished Laptop Grades

When buying refurbished goods, usually you can see the grades of the computer along with the specifications. The grades can tell you a lot about the shape of the laptop, including cosmetic and hardware conditions.

The grading system typically ranges from A to D and here’s what they mean:

  • Grade A: usually Open-box products that have been barely used or have minor cosmetic remarks like light scratches
  • Grade B: some cosmetic damages with no effect on the functionality of the device, may include dents and scratches on the housing or shiny keys, it’s possible not to get the original box or additional items included like the original charger
  • Grade C: may have heavier scratches on the screen and some cracks on the housing but also in perfect working condition
  • Grade D: includes non-functional items, can be sold as it is or only for parts and are resold without a warranty

This is the general use of the grading system for refurbished laptops and it may vary. If you plan on using the laptop for editing videos, make sure you check the specifications of the grades provided by the retailer you want to buy from. 

Where Can I Buy a Refurbished Laptop in Australia?

There are a lot of stores where you can buy refurbished laptops in Australia. Just to name a few:

  • Reboot-it
  • Kogan
  • Australian Computer Traders
  • Recompute
  • Dell Outlet Australia
  • Grays
  • MegaBuy
  • HP

Refurbished Phones

Refurbished phones are previously-owned phones that have been repaired, restored, and have passed the quality check tests to be resold. Some of the reasons why a phone might be refurbished are:

  • They have been traded for a new phone
  • They have a minor fault that can be fixed
  • The customer didn’t want the phone anymore
  • Damaged box before using the phone

All refurbished phones have been thoroughly checked and tested to ensure they’re in full working order before they’ve been put on sale. Some of the things that are inspected are the battery life, button functionality, responsiveness of the touch screen, quality of the audio and cameras, connectivity and other software checkups.

Grading of Refurbished Phones

Just like with laptops, the grades for refurbished phones include four grades: A, B, C, and D. Every grade has its meaning:

  • Grade A: nearly new device, probably returned within the return policy period, the battery in excellent condition, and no sign of physical or liquid damage
  • Grade B: usually has some slight scratches or scuffs on the device
  • Grade C: scratches on the front glass, may have minor cracks, may have some cover-ups on the housing
  • Glade D: more noticeable traces of use, maybe non-functional and only for parts, comes without a warranty

Where to Buy a Refurbished Phone in Australia

Some of the stores we recommend for buying refurbished phones in Australia are:

  • Phonebot
  • DickSmith
  • Reebelo
  • Mobile Guru Australia
  • Cellect
  • Kogan
  • More Technology
  • Boost Mobile
  • OzMobiles

Before You Buy a Refurbished Phone

Even though the phones are usually tested for performance by professionals, there can be a catch with some retailers. So, here are a few things to check before you buy a refurbished phone:

  • Firstly, check the grade of the phone and what falls into that grade for the specific store or manufacturer
  • Warranty: higher-grade refurbished phones usually come with some kind of warranty
  • Quality control: it’s always a plus to know what kind of tests have been done on the phone to determine the working condition
  • Compare the price with the price of a new phone with similar or the same specifications.

How Much Money Can You Save Buying a Refurbished Laptop or a Phone?

There is no universal rule on how much you can save if you buy a refurbished laptop or a refurbished phone. One of the factors that influence your savings is the condition or the grade of the device. 

We did some research for you and these are some examples of how much you can save if you shop for refurbished laptops or refurbished phones.

Wrapping Up

While looking for refurbished electronics, keep in mind all of the tips we have written in this guide for you. 

Shop for refurbished laptops and refurbished phones and keep your wallet full!

1. What does manufacturer refurbished phone mean?

If a phone is refurbished by the manufacturer, this means it has been quality checked by the manufacturers themselves and they guarantee that the device is in full working condition and like new.

2. Are refurbished laptops OK to buy?

The answer is definitely yes. You will have to find the right store and look for refurbished laptops with the highest possible grade for a cheaper price.