10 Best Refurbished Laptops Deals in 2024 [Handpicked]

I bought a refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon with Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD in 2019, and it’s the best laptop I’ve ever owned. 

It came with no cosmetic damage. The body was pretty much indistinguishable from brand new.

The laptop itself performs exceptionally well. Yet, I got it for only $425. For a laptop that usually costs $1,249, that’s a steal!

Unlike used and second-hand laptops, refurbished and renewed laptops are certified-reconditioned to look and perform like new ones.

Best Refurbished Laptops Deals - Peter Murage

I highly recommend getting a good refurbished high-end laptop deal over a cheaper brand-new model of the same price if you’re shopping for a remote work laptop on a budget.

Refurbished Laptop DealOperating SystemProcessorRAMStorageDisplayBatteryPrice
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th GenWindows 10 Pro (64-Bit)Intel Core i5-8350U16GB512GB SSD14” FHD IPSUp to 7 HoursCheck Price
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 5th Gen‎Windows 10 Pro (64-Bit)Intel Core i7-7600U16GB512GB SSD14” FHD IPSUp to 7 HoursCheck Price
Lenovo ThinkPad T460sWindows 10 Pro (64-bit)Intel Core i5-6300U8GB256GB SSD14” FHD IPSUp to 5 HoursCheck Price
Lenovo Thinkpad X270Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)Intel Core i5-6300U8GB256GB SSD12.5” HD (1366 x 768)Up to 7 HoursCheck Price
Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11eWindows 10 Home (64-bit)Intel Celeron N31504GB128GB SSD11.6” HD IPS TouchscreenUp to 5 HoursCheck Price
Lenovo Chromebook 3ChromeOS (64-bit)Intel Celeron N40204GB32GB eMMC11.6” HD IPSUp to 10 HoursCheck Price
Dell Chromebook 11-3120ChromeOSIntel Celeron N28404GB16GB eMMC11.6” HD LCDUp to 10 HoursCheck Price
ThinkPad T14 Gen 1Windows 10 Pro (64-Bit)Intel Core-i5 10310U16GB512GB NVMe SSD14” FHD IPSUp to 10 HoursCheck Price
Lenovo ThinkPad T480sWindows 10 Pro (64-bit)Intel Core i7-8650U24GB512GB SSD14” FHD IPSUp to 10 HoursCheck Price
Dell Latitude 7490Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)Intel Core i7-8650U16GB512GB SATA M.2 SSD14” FHD LCDUp to 6 HoursCheck Price

The best-refurbished laptop deals will usually range from as low as $50 for Chromebooks to as high as $500 for ThinkPads. 

For under $300, you can get the ThinkPad X1 Carbon 5th Gen with a 14-Inch display, Intel Core i7 Gen 7th, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, which is a huge bargain!

The best refurbished MacBook deals typically start from $500, and anything cheaper will spot an outdated Intel chip with poor performance.

That said, Lenovo ThinkPads are exceptional business laptops with a nearly military-grade build quality and top-of-the-line specs. 

ThinkPads are designed for reliable performance, like a workhorse. They are powerful, robust, thin, ultralightweight, and have great battery life. 

Usually, most refurbished Lenovo ThinkPads come from large tech businesses upgrading to newer models, so their performance is as good as new. 

They first return them to service centers for software and hardware reconditioning and cosmetic repair so they can look and perform like new ones. 

The refurbished Dell Latitude laptops follow closely after the ThinkPads. Click here to learn more about the best refurbished Dell Latitude Deals from as low as $150!

Here is my list of the 10 best-refurbished laptop deals in 2023. They will offer the best performance for remote working professionals on a budget!

Best Refurbished Laptops Deals - Peter Murage

Table of Contents

1. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Gen – Overall Best Refurbished Laptop to Buy in 2023

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Gen ultrabook sports a sleek, lightweight design. It’s certified refurbished and comes in excellent condition!

The body and screen show no sign of cosmetic damage. It has been professionally inspected, tested, and cleaned by qualified technicians. 

So, you’ll get a renewed product that works like a charm at less than half the price of a new model. The battery life is also impressive!

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Gen Key Specs:

Operating System: ‎Windows 10 Pro (64-Bit)

Processor: 1.7 GHz Intel Core i5-8350U Quad-Core

RAM: 16GB 

Storage: 512GB SSD

Display: 14-Inch 1920 x 1080 IPS Display

Weight: 2.49lb (1.13kg)

Battery: Up to 7 Hours

Keyboard: Backlit ThinkPad Keyboard

Graphics: ‎Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620

Camera: 720p HD Webcam

Ports: 2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, HDMI, 3.5 mm Audio, & MicroSD

Available Colors: Black

I’m writing this article on my Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 2. It came with a touch bar. Most guys didn’t like it. But I like it! The touch bar. The X1 Carbon Gen 6 has no touch bar, so you’re good to go!

Best Refurbished Laptops Deals

Almost three years later, this ultrabook’s performance is still top-notch. The software works flawlessly. The body and hinges are all in great condition.

Nothing has broken down, but there is one small thing though. The battery life! For the first two years, I got about 6 hours when browsing the web via WiFi. But I now get about 3 to 4 hours, which I can live with!

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Gen Pros:

  • A budget-friendly price tag that way under $500.
  • It’s ultrathin, super lightweight, and extremely durable. 
  • Supports RJ45 ethernet. 
  • Super fast charging for a quick charge-and-go experience. 
  • The built-in speakers and microphone offer exceptional audio quality. 
  • You can hook up two external monitors.
  • The ThinkPad backlit keyboard is flawlessly great. 
  • Bluetooth 4.1 and WiFi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity. 
  • Impressive security features such as a fingerprint scanner. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Gen Cons:

  • The battery life is shorter than what you get with a new model. 
  • This model is not a touchscreen. 
  • The RAM is soldered on and not upgradeable. 

The refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Gen looks and works like new! It comes with two Thunderbolt 3 ports. They not only offer ultrafast transfer speeds, but you can also connect dual 4K monitors.

2. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 5th Gen – Best Value Refurbished Laptop for Remote Work

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 5th Gen is exactly what the X1 Carbon 6th Gen is, but instead, it has a 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7-7600U Dual-Core processor.

The 6th Gen X1 Carbon got a processor upgrade to a slightly more powerful 1.7 GHz Intel Core i5-8350U Quad-Core for better speeds in general computing

All the other features are the same. You still get two Thunderbolt 3 (USB 3.1 Type-C) ports for ultrafast transfers and dual 4K external monitor support!

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 5th Gen Key Specs:

Operating System: ‎Windows 10 Pro (64-Bit)

Processor: 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7-7600U Dual-Core

RAM: 16GB 

Storage: 512GB SSD

Display: 14-Inch 1920 x 1080 IPS Display

Weight: 2.49lb (1.13kg)

Battery: Up to 7 Hours

Keyboard: Backlit ThinkPad Keyboard

Graphics: ‎Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620

Camera: 720p HD Webcam

Ports: 2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, HDMI, 3.5 mm Audio, & MicroSD

Available Colors: Black

Lenovo is usually a very consistent company with its ThinkPad flagship models. So, you still get an exceptional built quality that is nearly military-grade. 

Best Refurbished Laptops Deals

The X1 Carbon models are well-built with carbon fiber and magnesium alloy. It makes them ultralightweight, thin, and extremely durable.  

You also get plenty of security features, including a fingerprint reader and power-on password protection. And the battery life is impressive!

The performance is still top-notch. You won’t notice the difference in dual and quad-core processor power unless you open a dozen apps simultaneously. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 5th Gen Pros:

  • A very affordable price tag within the $300 range
  • It’s ultrathin, super lightweight, and extremely durable. 
  • Super fast charging for a quick charge-and-go experience. 
  • The built-in speakers and microphone offer exceptional audio quality. 
  • You can hook up two external monitors.
  • The ThinkPad backlit keyboard is flawlessly great. 
  • Bluetooth 4.1 and WiFi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity. 
  • Impressive security features such as a fingerprint scanner. 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Gen Cons:

  • The battery life is shorter than you get with a new model. 
  • This model is not a touchscreen. 
  • The RAM is soldered on and not upgradeable. 

Like the refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Gen, the 5th Gen is perfect for all remote work users. I would recommend it to writers, bloggers, and coders who want the best performance on a budget!

3. Lenovo ThinkPad T460s – Best Refurbished Laptops Deal Under $200

The Lenovo ThinkPad T460s is exactly what you get with the X1 Carbon 4th Gen regarding processing power, performance, and build quality. 

But although it’s still lightweight and extremely durable, it doesn’t rock the sleek, thin design of the flagship ThinkPad X1 Carbon.

ThinkPad T460s features a powerful 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5-6300U Dual-Core processor that pairs with 8GB of DDR4 RAM  and 256GB Opal 2.0 SSD.

Lenovo ThinkPad T460s Key Specs:

Operating System: Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)

Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5-6300U Dual-Core

RAM: 8GB of DDR4 RAM

Storage: 256GB Opal 2 SSD

Display: 14″ 1920 x 1080 IPS Anti-Glare Display

Weight: 3.0 lbs (1.36 kg)

Battery: Up to 5 Hours

Keyboard: Backlit ThinkPad Keyboard

Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics 520

Camera: 720p HD Webcam

Ports: 3x USB 3.0, MicroSD, RJ45, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, & 3.5mm Audio

Available Colors: Black

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon models above have Core i7 processors. But this T460s model has a Core i5 processor, which is still incredibly powerful. 

Best Refurbished Laptops Deals

The huge advantage of getting the T460s over the X1 Carbon 5th Gen is the room for upgrading the DDR4 memory and M.2 SSD storage drive. 

But its main drawback is the battery life. Lenovo says you can get up to 10.5 hours (brand new), but the refurbished ThinkPad T460s offers about 5 hours. 

Its backlit keyboard is good but not great! While most people won’t notice it, it’s a bit stiffer than what you would otherwise get with the X1 Carbon models. 

Lenovo ThinkPad T460s Pros:

  • A budget-friendly price tag of under $200. 
  • Impressive build quality with a solid performance.
  • You still get WiFi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity.
  • Unlike with X1 Carbon, the memory and storage are upgradeable.
  • It has passed MIL-STD 810G durability tests.
  • Enhanced security features, including a fingerprint reader and vPro. 
  • The display has a matte finish. 

Lenovo ThinkPad T460s Cons:

  • It’s not a touchscreen. 
  • Below average battery life. 
  • The keyboard is a bit stiff. 

The ThinkPad T460s is well-built for durability. It comes with a powerful 6th-generation processor that delivers impressive performance. It makes a perfect laptop for remote working with a budget of under $200. It should easily handle moderately intense applications like MS Word, Lightroom, Photoshop, and most of the popular IDEs.

4. Lenovo Thinkpad X270 – Alternative Best Refurbished Laptops Deal Under $200

The ThinkPad X Series and X1 Series are Lenovo’s flagship business-focused laptops. They both offer top-notch performance and portability. 

The refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad X270 boots up quickly and runs smoothly. I’ve gotten my hands on it, and it performs as well as a new one!

You also get plenty of connectivity options. They include 2x USB 3.0, USB-C, HDMI, MicroSD reader, RJ45, 3.5mm audio port, and a micro-SIM slot. 

Lenovo Thinkpad X270 Key Specs: 

Operating System: Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)

Processor: 2.40GHz Intel Core i5-6300U Dual-Core

RAM: 8GB DDR4

Storage: 256GB SSD

Display: 12.5″ HD (1366 x 768) Anti-Glare Display

Weight: 2.9lb (1.3kg)

Battery: Up to 7 Hours

Keyboard: ThinkPad Backlit Keyboard

Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics 520

Camera: 720p HD Webcam

Ports: 2x USB 3.0, USB-C, HDMI, MicroSD, RJ45, & 3.5mm Audio. 

Available Colors: Black

The Lenovo ThinkPad X270 has a solid build quality. The body isn’t flimsy, and the backlit keyboard is comfortable with nice key travel. 

Best Refurbished Laptops Deals

But unlike the X1 Carbon, which is made of premium carbon fiber and magnesium alloy, the X270 is made of an all-black plastic.  

As such, you should expect it to meet MIL-SPEC durability standards. You shouldn’t also expect the same durability when it comes to its build quality. 

Yet, regarding their specs, the X1 Carbon and the X270 (X Series) are feature-rich for top-notch performance.

Lenovo Thinkpad X270 Pros:

  • A low-budget price tag of under $200. 
  • Impressively long battery life (6-cell battery). 
  • The keyboard offers a great typing experience.
  • Bluetooth 4.1 and WiFi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity.
  • A fingerprint reader and vPro security features. 
  • The memory and storage are upgradeable. 

Lenovo Thinkpad X270 Cons:

  • The display resolution isn’t full HD. 
  • The body is made of plastic. 
  • Below average endurance. 

The Lenovo ThinkPad X270 is a well-built ultraportable laptop with impressive performance. Despite the low-budget price tag of this certified-refurbished model, you still get a fantastic keyboard and long battery life.

5. Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e – Best Low-Budget Refurbished Laptop Deal for Writing

If all you do in your remote working is writing and blogging, I highly recommend the Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e.

The Thinkpad Yoga 11e is exceptionally built for durability, with impressive features for peak performance and a lightweight design for portability. 

In this specific refurbished model, you get a decent 1.60 GHz Intel Celeron N3150 quad-core processor, 4GB DDR3, and 128GB SSD storage. 

Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e Key Specs: 

Operating System: Windows 10 Home (64-bit)

Processor: 1.60 GHz Intel Celeron N3150 Quad-Core

RAM: 4GB DDR3

Storage: 128GB SSD

Display: 11.6″ (1366×768) HD LED-backlit IPS Touchscreen

Weight: 4 lb (1.81 kg)

Battery: Up to 5 Hours

Keyboard: ThinkPad Backlit Keyboard

Graphics: Integrated Intel HD UMA Graphics

Camera: 720P HD Webcam

Ports: 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, 3.5mm Audio, HDMI, & RJ45

Available Colors: Black

The refurbished Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e brings premium, business laptop processing power in a small, ultra-portable design at a low budget prig tag. 

Best Refurbished Laptops Deals

It features a powerful Intel Celeron N3150 processor with an integrated Intel HD UMA graphics card to handle moderately intensive workflows. 

The Yoga 11e guards your data with enhanced security solutions, including strong authentication. And you also get many connections, including an RJ45 and HDMI.

Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e Pros: 

  • A low-budget price tag of about $150. 
  • Exceptionally built for durability. 
  • A small, lightweight design for portability.
  • A very responsive HD LED-backlit IPS Touchscreen. 
  • Bluetooth 4.0 and WiFi 5 (802.11ac) connectivity.

Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e Cons:

  • Not ideal for performance-intensive workflows like programming. 
  • Only comes with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage. 

The Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e packs everything you need from a durable, ultraportable laptop. It’s powerful enough to handle the everyday workflows of most writers and bloggers.

6. Lenovo Chromebook 3 – Best Refurbished Laptop Deal Under $100 for Writers and Bloggers

The Lenovo Chromebook 3 is a remarkably solid, low-budget laptop with smooth performance that best suits writers and bloggers. 

It’s powered by a reliable and low-budget Intel Celeron N4020 processor that pairs with a decent 4GB RAM and 32GB of storage. 

Lenovo Chromebook 3 Key Specs: 

Operating System: ChromeOS (64-bit)

Processor: 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron N4020 Dual-Core

RAM: 4GB LPDDR4

Storage: 32GB eMMC

Display: 11.6″ HD (1366 x 768) Anti-Glare IPS Screen

Weight: 2.42 lbs (1.1 kg)

Battery: Up to 10 Hours

Keyboard: Lenovo Keyboard

Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600

Camera: 720p HD webcam

Ports: 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, 2x USB Type-C, MicroSD, & 3.5mm Audio 

Available Colors: Black

The refurbished Lenovo Chromebook 3 looks and works as good as new! It’s well-built with an incredibly long battery life. 

It makes a perfect under $100 laptop for freelance writers, new authors, and bloggers using only cloud-based apps and Google Chrome. 

This low-budget laptop will also suit cash-strapped students who can use only the Chrome OS. The truth is, you will be missing out on very little!

Its main drawback is the low-quality 11.6-inch display. The resolution is low, and the brightness is poor, especially when you’re outside in natural lighting.

Lenovo Chromebook 3 Pros: 

  • A cheap price tag of under $100!
  • Decent build quality for the money. 
  • WiFi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth
  • Impressively long battery life. 
  • It has a decent keyword to type for long hours. 

Lenovo Chromebook 3 Cons:

  • The touchpad feels clumsy. 
  • It’s not a touchscreen. 
  • The 32GB of storage is very small!

The refurbished Lenovo Chromebook 3 is the perfect under $100 laptop for starting our writing and blogging side hustle. It’s well-built with a great keyboard and impressively long battery life!

7. Dell Chromebook 11-3120 – Best Refurbished Laptop Deal Under $50 for Writing & Email

In the $50 to $150 range, the best refurbished laptops to consider are Chromebooks. A Chromebook is a laptop with ChromeOS. 

You might be wondering, are $50 laptops worth it? Yes, a $50 Chromebook laptop from a reputable brand with a 3 months warranty is worth buying!

The secret word here is Chromebooks since they are typically cheap when brand new! The Dell Chromebook 11-3120 is a great choice for this budget!

Dell Chromebook 11-3120 Key Specs: 

Operating System: ChromeOS

Processor: 2.16GHz Intel Celeron N2840 Dual-Core

RAM: 4GB DDR3L SDRAM

Storage: 16GB eMMC Storage

Display: 11.6-inch (1366×768) LCD Display 

Weight: 2.74 lb (1.25 kg)

Battery: Up to 10 Hours

Keyboard: Dell Non-Backlit Keyboard

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)

Camera: 720p HD Webcam

Ports: 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, 1x HDMI, 3.5mm Audio Combo, & SD Reader

Available Colors: Black

A 2.16GHz Intel Celeron N2840 dual-core processor powers the Dell Chromebook 11-3120. It has 4GB RAM that pairs with 16GB storage.

Despite its low-end price tag, it meets the MIL-STD standards for durability, pressure, temperature, humidity, shock, and vibration. 

As such, it’s built to withstand harsh life. It makes a perfect secondary laptop for backpacking bloggers and writers.

The LCD is rubberized to suit carrying in the backpack. The body is scratch-resistant, and the keyboard is spill-proof!

Dell Chromebook 11-3120 Pros:

  • Perfect secondary laptop for backpackers. 
  • Bluetooth 4.0 and Dual-Band 802.11 AC WiFi. 
  • Impressive performance for a $50 laptop!
  • Innovative features like a 180-degree LCD hinge.
  • Automated updates and virus protection.
  • It is available with a touchscreen for about $70.

Dell Chromebook 11-3120 Cons:

  • The 16GB of storage is very small. 
  • This model is not a touchscreen. 

The Dell Chromebook 11-3120 is the perfect low-budget, entry-level Chromebook for beginner writers and bloggers. It’s well-built, super lightweight, and extremely easy to use!

8. ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 – Best Refurbished Laptop Deal for Video Editing for Under $500

The refurbished Lenovo Thinkpad T14 (Gen 1) is powered by a powerful 1.70 GHz Intel Core-i5 10310U Quad-Core with integrated UHD graphics.

You can also get it with an equally powerful AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4500U processor with integrated AMD Radeon graphics and 8GB RAM, 128 SSD, and a touchscreen.

The Thinkpad T14 (Gen 1) is a perfect video editing ultraportable refurbished laptop since it’s designed for multi-core performance on the go. 

ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 Key Specs: 

Operating System: Windows 10 Pro (64-Bit)

Processor: 1.70 GHz Intel Core-i5 10310U Quad-Core

RAM: 16GB DDR4

Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD

Display: 14.0″ FHD (1920×1080) IPS Anti-glare Screen

Weight: 3.23 lbs (1.46 kg)

Battery: Up to 10 Hours

Keyboard: Iconic ThinkPad Backlit Keyboard 

Graphics: Integrated UHD Graphics for 10th Gen

Camera: 720p HD Webcam

Ports: 2x USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1, 2 USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB-C (PD), HDMI, MicroSD, 3.5mm Audio, & RJ45

Available Colors: Black

The Lenovo Thinkpad T14 (Gen 1) is incredibly well-built with military-grade specs for performance and durability. It suits creators who want to handle video editing and other productivity workflows on the go!

Despite being a refurbished mode, this laptop looks and works like a new model. The iconic Lenovo keyboard works exceptionally well, and the battery life will deliver at least 7 hours of video editing. 

ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 Pros: 

  • The perfect laptop for on-the-go content creators. 
  • The AMD variation display is a touchscreen. 
  • Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity!
  • Enhanced security features, including a fingerprint reader.
  • The USB-C performs with Power Delivery and DisplayPort functions.
  • Excellent battery life for a refurbished model. 
  • It has an impressive keyboard to type on for long hours! 
  • You can get it with a 1TB NVMe SSD for $500!

ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 Cons:

  • The 16GB DDR4 memory is soldered on the motherboard and not upgradeable!

The Lenovo Thinkpad T14 (Gen 1) is exceptionally built with powerful features for performance. This refurbished laptop is a huge bargain for a slightly under $500 budget!

9. Lenovo ThinkPad T480s – Best Refurbished Laptop Deal for Under $500

The refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad T480s is another great choice for on-the-go content creators who need great multi-core performance. 

Like the X1 Carbon, the T480s is extremely thin and ultra-lightweight. And it packs top-notch security features such as the fingerprint reader. 

T480s is powered by the Intel Core i7-8650U quad-core processor with integrated Intel UHD 620 graphics. It has 24GB memory and 512GB SSD storage! 

Lenovo ThinkPad T480s Key Specs: 

Operating System: Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)

Processor: 1.9 GHz Intel Core i7-8650U Quad-Core

RAM: 24GB RAM

Storage: 512GB SSD

Display: 14-inch IPS FHD (1920×1080) Matte Display

Weight: 2.90 lb (1.31 kg)

Battery: Up to 10 Hours

Keyboard: Iconic Lenovo ThinkPad Backlit Keyboard

Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD 620

Camera: 720p HD Webcam

Ports: Intel Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, 2x USB 3.0, MicroSD, 3.5mm Audio, HDMI, & RJ45. 

Available Colors: Black

Lenovo designs the T Series laptops as ultraportable professional workhorses for business. They are incredibly durable and powerful!

This refurbished model has 24GB of DDR4 memory and 512GB of storage. With the 8th Gen Core i7-8650U, you’ll get exceptional processing power.  

You also get wired and wireless connectivity with the RJ45 gigabit ethernet, Intel dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), and Bluetooth 4.1. 

Lenovo ThinkPad T480s Pros:

  • Superfast dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.1. 
  • It comes with an ultrafast Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port. 
  • Exceptionally built for reliability and durability. 
  • Impressive battery life for a refurbished model. 
  • Great security features for your protection.
  • Rapid charging that delivers 80% charge in one hour. 

Lenovo ThinkPad T480s Cons:

  • It’s not a touchscreen!

If your refurbished laptop budget is about $500, I recommend you get the T480s. It has superb build quality for performance and durability and packs all the specs you need for all your remote work productivity workflows.

10. Dell Latitude 7490 – Best Core i7 | 16GB | 512 SSD Refurbished Laptop Deal for $350

Like the Lenovo ThinkPad T480s, the refurbished Dell Latitude 7490 is powered by the 1.9 GHz Intel Core i7-8650U quad-core processor. 

It also packs 16GB of memory and 512GB of SSD storage. This laptop is incredibly well-built for performance, reliability, and durability. 

Like the ThinkPad T480s, you also get an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 that easily handles graphics-intensive workflows like video editing.

Dell Latitude 7490 Key Specs:

Operating System: Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)

Processor: 1.9 GHz Intel Core i7-8650U Quad-Core

RAM: 16GB RAM

Storage: 512GB SATA M.2 SSD

Display: 14″ 1920 x 1080 Anti-Glare Display

Weight:  3.11 lb (1.41 kg)

Battery: Up to 6 Hours

Keyboard: Comfy Dell Backlit Keyboard

Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620

Camera: 720p HD Webcam

Ports: USB 3.1/3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 3x USB-A 3.0/3.1/3.2 Gen 1, HDMI, MicroSD, 3.5mm Audio, & RJ45. 

Available Colors: Black

The Dell Latitude 7490 is an incredibly powerful, reliable, and durable laptop. The only reason I featured it this far in the guide is that I’m well-informed about the Lenovo ThinkPads; thus, I can vouch for them. 

Simply put, I’m biased toward the Lenovo ThinkPads. But that doesn’t mean the Dell Latitude isn’t a great laptop. The Latitude lineup features ultrabooks with the same performance specs as the ThinkPad T Series. 

Dell Latitude 7490 Pros:

  • It’s more affordable than the ThinkPad T480s. 
  • Well-built with durable material for durability. 
  • Dual-RAM configuration for multitasking. 
  • USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C port for ultrafast speeds.  
  • Dual-band WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity.
  • RJ45 gigabit ethernet for faster-wired internet.  
  • A fingerprint reader for your protection. 
  • The memory and storage are upgradeable. 

Dell Latitude 7490 Cons: 

  • It’s heavier than the ThinkPads. 
  • The display offers below-average brightness. 

The refurbished Dell Latitude 7490 is a business-class laptop that delivers all the power and performance you need to ace your demanding remote work workflows like video editing, programming, and graphics design.

Best Refurbished Laptops Deals: FAQs & Answers!

Buying a refurbished laptop is no different from buying a brand-new model. You want a high-performance, durable device that will maintain its reliability for the next 3 to 7 years! 

The major benefit of getting a refurbished high-end laptop model is the price! They usually sell at way below 50% of what they originally cost when brand new, but they look and work like new ones.

1. What are Refurbished Laptops?

Refurbished laptops are used laptops returned to the manufacturing brand for reconditioning to look and work as brand-new laptops of the same model.

Refurbished laptops typically go through the hands of a technician who professionally inspects, tests, and cleans them to their original working condition

Top laptop brands like Lenovo have a trade-in laptop program. It works just like the car industry. Here is a link that will take you to Lenovo’s trade-in platform.

With the trade-in program, you can exchange your older Lenovo ThinkPad model plus a few dollars for a newer one.

Lenovo technicians will take the used ThinkPad, inspect it, repair the necessary hardware issues, test it, and clean it to create a certified refurbished model.

Finally, they will install a new Windows operating system and put it back in stock in the Lenovo Refurbished Laptops Shop. The laptops look and work like new ones!

2. Are Refurbished Laptops Good?

Yes, refurbished laptops are an excellent bargain if you get them from a trusted brand or reseller or if you do a good background search of the laptop before getting it from third-party online stores like Amazon and eBay. 

I’m sure you have doubts about refurbs, certified reconditioned or renewed gadgets, not just laptops.

I also do have doubts about refurbished gadgets. Because it’s been used by someone else before. So, how sure are you that they returned it to the store or brand while it was still in good condition?

You can 100% trust a refurbished laptop if it’s coming from the manufacturing brand. Say a MacBook from Apple, a Thinkpad from Lenovo, and Surface Pro from Microsoft!

You can also trust refurbished laptops from third-party and resellers’ online stores like Amazon, where you are given some form of limited guarantee. Amazon offers a 3-month guarantee, which is super cool!

3. Which Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Refurbished to Buy?

When looking for a Thinkpad X1 Carbon (Refurbished), I recommend buying Gen 4 to Gen 7. That range offers the best price per performance. You get a great laptop in excellent working condition at a bargain!

Amazon (Renewed) is the best place to start your hunt. In that case, arm yourself with between $250 to $500. A Gen 4 should be priced at around $350 and a Gen 7 at around $500 – with a +/- $100 in either case.

The ideal soft spots are Gen 5 and Gen 6. You can get these at prices within the $300 to $500. Extra feature sets like a bigger memory, storage, a touchscreen, and a UHD display will mean more money.

Other places that offer Thinkpad X1 Carbon (Refurbished) deals include Lenovo’s main online outlet and BackMarket (Lenovo Refurbished). The latter has great deals, but resellers are always waiting to grab them!

4. What is the Main Drawback of Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Refurbished?

After staying with my Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 2 (Refurbished), I would say their main and only drawback is average battery life. Everything else, from performance to built quality to software, works like new!

The other, although not a drawback, is a hefty price tag when you get the newer generation refurbished deals. You can expect to pay as much as $1,500 sometimes, but you get 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and a touchscreen!

If you find a great Thinkpad X1 Carbon deal from a trusted reseller like Amazon or Lenovo Online Store, please grab it. These ultrabooks are built like little tanks with the performance of a good horse!

5. Which Laptop is Best for a Low Budget?

Chromebook laptops are best for a low budget! They are excellent for writing, blogging, school work, casual surfing, and pretty much anything you can do from Google Chrome. 

Usually, Chromebooks have a simple build design with a low-volume storage drive because they are cloud-based. But they typically include USB ports so you can use flash drive storage. 

About Peter Murage

Hello, I’m Peter! A freelance technical content writer for tech blogs & SaaS startups. I'm also passionate about writing content related to tech gadgets and small kitchen appliances especially blenders and coffee makers!

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