Top 10 Sites to Buy Secondhand Laptops

Are you in the market for a new laptop? If so, then you’ve likely started searching the internet for places to get one. You may have thought of shopping used or refurbished to save some money, but you should also know that you’ll be making a positive impact on the environment.

To help you in your shopping journey, here is how you’ll be impacting the environment by shopping secondhand, how much money you can expect to save, and some great online marketplaces to order from.

Why Choose Secondhand?

It’s estimated that 261.2million units were shipped out in 2019 – and that’s just of PCs and laptopsa lone. It’s common in the United States for most homes to have a PC along witha laptop for the portability purposes. They’re practical for those who need totake their work, or the latest Netflix show, on the go. There’s one problemwith the mass purchasing of products like this – the environmental impact.

Like most technology, the production of laptops requires heavy use of non-renewable resources. With frequent technological advancement,these devices seem to have shorter life cycles. In combination with improper disposal, this leads to more electronic waste than ever.

From manufacturing to disposal, there are many waste products involved such as carbon emissions, pollution, and e-waste. When you shop secondhand, you’re able to reduce the amount of waste used and extend the lifespan of the device.

How Much Money Can You Save?

Of course, one of the benefits of buying used or refurbished is saving money. How much can you really save, though? Pricing varies highlybased on the condition, brand, your geographic location, and more when it comes to these items. On average, savings can vary from 15-25% all the way up to 50% if you find a great deal.

Top 10 Best Sites to Buy Secondhand Laptops

Now that you know a little bit about what you can expect and how you’ll be impacting the environment, here are the top 10 best sites to buy secondhand laptops – or refurbished if that’s what you’re looking for.

1. Gumtree

The first on the list of marketplaces is Gumtree. Gumtree is a website that is very similar to Facebook Marketplace, but you don’t need a Facebook account to use it. Gumtree was founded in the UK, but it also is popular in Australia, Singapore, and South Africa.

To use it, you’ll just need to enter a location based on where you live. You can view listings and message the seller to inquire about the item. Be sure to follow the safety guidelines set by Gumtree since all transactions occur between you and the seller only.

2. Swappa

Swappa is another great online marketplace if you’re looking for any type of refurbished or used electronic device. The great thing aboutSwappa is that there are only working products allowed to be listed, so there are no broken or “use for parts” types of listings.

Each listing is reviewed and approved by a member of the team, and the serial numbers are checked to help verify that items are not fraudulent. This is a great option if you’re looking for great prices with the added bonus of purchase protection!

3. Best Buy Refurbished Laptops

If you’re looking to purchase certified refurbished laptops,then Best Buy’s refurbished section of their website is a great place to look.Each device has been inspected, graded based on physical condition, and will even come with a warranty most of the time. Most items are covered by the90-day Return & Exchange Promise developed by the company, but be sure to check before purchasing.

4. Apple Certified Refurbished Laptops

If you’re looking to specifically purchase an Apple refurbished laptop, then you can purchase one through Apple’s Certified Refurbished program. This program comes with a one-year warranty, a power adapter, and the compatible cords. While this is the most expensive place you’ll go to find a used Mac, you also can purchase with confidence knowing that there is a great warranty available.

5. TechBargains

TechBargains is another online marketplace that you can go to for used laptops. The site has all sorts of brands and typically offers great discounts (sometimes even half off). You can find regular laptops and even specific gaming laptops or computers. They frequently have a “Hot Deal” that will get you the most bang for your buck.

6. NewEgg

If you’re looking for variety and options, NewEgg is a great choice. You can shop regular laptops and notebooks, gaming laptops, 2-in-1 laptops, Chromebooks, and even business laptops. You can also find accessories to go with them such as docking stations.

7. Craigslist

Craigslist is one of the oldest tried-and-true online marketplaces that you can find some great deals on. The only deal with this website is that Craigslist doesn’t allow shipping, so you’ll need to search for a laptop within your area. You’ll also want to contact the seller for photos, videos with proof of it working, etc.

8. Facebook Marketplace

We’ve mentioned a few websites that act similar to Facebook Marketplace, but if you’re a user of Facebook, then you might find using their marketplace more convenient. You can often find great used or refurbished laptops that have gentle wear and tear for a great price.

9. OfferUp

OfferUp is another website that is similar to Facebook Marketplace without the requirement of having a Facebook Account. You can find great deals on some of the biggest name laptops. There are options to do local pickups or shipping for a small fee. When dealing with individual sellers, be sure to ask for video proof that it turns on and connects to the internet properly. You can even verify the serial numbers to ease your mind. This will help prevent you from getting scammed.

10. BackMarket

Lastly, BackMarket is another great option if you’re in the market for used tech. They sell all sorts of gadgets, but their selection of laptops and computers is great. You can find the greatest name brands such as MacBooks, Chromebooks, PC Laptops, Desktop Computers, Monitors, and accessories to go with them at a great price. Also, you can sell your old laptop to them for a little bit of money back.

Shopping Used or Refurbished

While the condition you get your laptop in has a lot to do with how long it will last, shopping used or refurbished can extend the lifespan of the laptop by an average of 2-5 years. This is not only cost effective for you, but has a great impact on the environment due to decreased waste.
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Thankfully, the internet has made it easier to have access to shop for used electronics. This list of websites should help you on your journey in finding a used laptop within your budget.

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