Consider a refurbished laptop .  You can find an excellent system, completely rebuilt and nearly new, and save 30-50% on the price of a new laptop. 

More laptops are coming on the market as corporate IT departments upgrade their leased equipment each year.  The laptops that go off lease are often sold to refurbishing shops, where the computer goes through a thorough check, and repairs are made if needed, along with upgrades to parts like memory, CD-ROM drives and operating systems.  The refurbishing company then resells the refurbished laptop either direct or through online auctions like eBay.  You can find a great deal if you know what to look for.

The key questions to ask when looking at a refurbished laptop are how old the laptop is, which will give you a clue as to how old the hard drive is and the memory. The key wear points on used laptop are often the hard drive, which is susceptible to drops or bumps, as well as the memory.  Ask if either the hard drive or the memory has been replaced. 

Another item to ask about is about the screen. The screen on laptops can be very sensitive to heat, moisture and physical wear.  Find out if the screen has been replaced or repaired.  If it’s been repaired, you may want to consider a warranty to cover future possible breakdowns.

Ask what kind of operating system is included.  Operating systems are easy to install over the prior operating system, so if it’s an older operating system version, be sure to ask if you are getting the serial numbers and CDs to allow you to purchase an upgrade if you choose.

Often a refurbished laptop has a manufacturer’s warranty available for purchase along with your system.  If you want a warranty, be sure to ask what is available, and how long you have to buy the warranty after purchase of the system.

Finally, make sure you feel comfortable with the dealer selling you the PC.  Does the vendor answer your questions fully and promptly?  Do they have a return period? Can you return for any reason without a restocking fee (which can run to 15% of the price)?  Do they have a support department you can contact  in case something goes wrong with your system? Where are they located (preferably the US)?  And do they have happy client testimonials?

With so many laptop systems on the market, you have options besides buying a new system.  Keeping these points in mind while you shop can help you find a great deal on a refurbished laptop .

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