Thinking of a used laptop to save on costs? What to look for before you buy
Used laptops can be a cost-effective solution for students facing rising prices for new devices. Experts recommend researching laptop specifications and looking for refurbished options, which can be significantly cheaper than new laptops. When purchasing a used laptop, ensure it has at least 16 gigabytes of RAM and a 256 gigabyte storage capacity, with an eighth-gen Intel CPU at least six or seven years old.
A warranty is also crucial, even if it only covers 30 days, 90 days or a year. It is advised to avoid payment plans or buy-now-pay-later options, and to refrain from buying tech from strangers on online platforms. Refurbished enterprise laptops, originally sold to businesses, may be a better quality and cost-effective alternative.
Parents and students can also consider hand-me-down laptops from their personal networks or explore open-box and liquidation stores.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
