Used Laptops

What laptops are actually considered used?

Today, you have some choices when it comes to buying used laptops: (1)- refurbished, (2)- returned-from-lease and (3)- used laptops that sold though auction by an individual ... Don't hope for miracles and try to buy a $200 laptop. It'll be well outdated, and incapable of running most of the current software. You get what you pay for, even if you buy it on ebay. Used is used!

Of course, it depends on what you're looking for ... but if you just want to save money by getting a cheap system than a refurbished one is the way to go. Bring up your price limit to $600-700, and you'll be able to get a great deal on a brand name second hand system.

I've done my research, and I can tell you that only refurbished laptops sold by manufacturers or by online discount warehouses like TigerDirect.com come with warranties, which are a must, if you're buying a second hand system.

See my refurbished laptop page for more details.

What min parameters do you really need?

If you just want to browse Internet, send email or do some word processing or take it to lectures or meetings than your best decision would be to get a slightly outdated machine with very basic or low features. For example, a second hand system with 400Hz to 700Hz speed, 64Mb of memory, a 6Gb to 10Gb hard drive, a 14" screen, a 56K modem and possibly aCD-ROM drive will do just fine. It can have Windows 98 or 2000 installed.

With these parameters you can easily work in the library, connect to digital phone line, browse the Internet or work with Excel or Word files, email your reports or create some basic graphics using Paint Pro software, do your Taxes or explore the Encarta encyclopedia.

More importantly, with this type of system, you'll be able to install and run most current software and make it really useful for your needs. Even coding in Visual Basic 6.0 or Microsoft Access 2000 will be possible.

You can find the cheapest refurbished laptops on TigerDirect.com. Here are some examples of their used laptops that come with warranties...

Dell Latitude CPx / Pentium 3 650MHz / Refurbished Laptop

Pentium III 650MHz

Pentium® III 700MHz

Pentium® III 700MHz

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