Used laptops

Why you should and where to shop for good used laptop computers

If you're looking at buying one or more used laptops, let me first congratulate you for being such a smart person. Shopping for used notebooks means that you acquire a very good but normally expensive notebook for much less than a brand new one.

In this article, I have jotted down the steps I follow when helping a client or friend find a good used laptop for sale. I purposefully chose to keep this article brief because my guess tells me that as a smart person you do not need a 20 page essay to understand simple but effective concepts (no flattery intended here, I am serious:). Should you require help or additional details, please feel free to drop me a line (mail @ laptopadvisor.com).

Why shop for pre-owned laptops anyway?

Many people buy used laptops because they want to save some money or because their budget is limited and they feel that the used notebooks market is where they'll find their ultimate laptop computer. Needless to say, they're right on the money.

If you're wondering if there are any advantages users shopping for such laptops, consider this:

They can be up to 30% cheaper than similar brand new ones
If you're on a tight budget, you can afford to buy one that would normally cost an arm and a leg brand new.
Prospective good used laptop computers may still be under the factory warranty.
Most online retailers now stock used laptop computers and believe me that they'll be under impeccable condition with a "same as new" warranty.

The only problem I see in considering the used laptops market is that you won't get that "first timer user's smell" and that your used notebook might not be the most recent model. But, the laptop computer will meet your needs. Unless you frequent arrogant people, nobody will ever look down on you for owning a second-hand notebook.

Good Used laptops shopping tips

There are many ways to locate good used laptops. The obvious one is to go to your nearest computer shop and find out or to ask your friends, relatives or colleagues if they know of anyone who has a good seconf-hand notebook for sale.

My guess is that you're looking at buying a good cheap used laptop computer online so I'll focus on that...

Step 1: Know what you want.

Before you go hunting for any computer, know what you want. Better yet, know what you need. The reason I say this is that you may want the fastest notebook computer on the block but chances are that you don't really need it unless you're a multi-media designer for instance. So, determine what you'll be needing your notebook for and for safety precautions make provision for other needs that might arise.

An example would be, having to suddenly store more data because your main desktop crashed. It would be in your best interests to have extra hard drive space than you needed. Think of such things when looking at any potential pc anyway.

Step 2: How much can you afford?

That's self explanatory. If you don't have a price tag mind in used laptops shopping, you're looking for disaster with a capital D. As a rule of thumb, the more features you need, the more cash you'll have to set aside for your brand new used laptop computer (Hmmm... that's classic case of an oxymoron!).

Step 3: Locating the right used laptops.

There are many places and ways to get pre-owned notebooks online. The ways that I personally feel comfortable with are online auctions, the refurbished laptops market or locating used laptop computers at reputable dealers that other online laptop buyers recommend.

Assuming that you locate a used laptop for sale at reputable dealers (highly recommended if you're a first time Internet shopper or if you need one super fast), the only thing you have to do is to look through the inventory of used laptops stocked, make sure that you find the right laptop computer (that falls within your budget and computing needs) and you're set. Yup, that what there is to it!

Before you whip out your credit card and choose your "baby", please make sure that, you have checked about such things as warranties, return policies and after-sales customer assistance.

As said earlier, this article was short but hopefully concise. I hope that you find it useful and that now you're ready to soak yourself into the used laptops market with more confidence. Please do keep me informed about your experiences, good or bad and feel free to ask any questions if at some stages you get stuck in the process (mail @ laptopadvisor.com). Good luck!

Used Laptops Online Retailers

Earth's Biggest Selection (TM). Amazon.com is truly the place to find and discover anything you want to buy online including refurbished laptops. There, you'll find cheap used laptops at great prices.
There's an interesting alternative to shopping for used laptop computers. Buying new, good dirt cheap laptops. Introducing Overstock.com...
"At Overstock.com we help you shop smarter, by offering top-quality name-brand merchandise at 40 - 80% off, every day of the week." Laptop computers manufacturers produce billions of dollars in excess inventory each year. Overstock.com has built a relationship with select, leading manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to purchase those extra products at deep discounts and pass the savings on to you. Often, the price you pay is far below the manufacturer's cost. Shopping at Overstock.com is like shopping at a clearance sale - with discounts at 40-80% - every day of the week! (Some products have even bigger discounts!))
TigerDirect.com is one online superstore renowned for the good deals on cheap and refurbished laptops. I have read some impressive reviews about them from happy customers and critics. They also ship outside of the US which is a big bonus for non North America laptop shoppers. Check out their laptop clearance center.
As said in an earlier article, TechDepot.com is an Office Depot company. They also have a huge clearance center that includes really cheap used but good as new laptop computers. I really like the service that I get in the Office Depot offline stores and I'll vouch for them just for that reason alone.