10 Best Refurbished Laptops Under $500 (Starting from $100)

At this point, laptops are more of a tool than an indulgence for both students and businesses survival in an increasingly technology-rich world.

However, even though the demand for laptops continues to rise, many individuals find that they cannot afford a high-end laptop. If you find yourself in this situation, you may consider buying a refurbished laptop under $500.

According to the research, refurbished consumer electronics have about $10 billion in sales annually. It is bigger than we think and the market isn’t showing any indication that it will decline. This might be due to the large number of IT students and professionals.

If you are in the IT industry, there are some very convincing reasons why you should consider checking out refurbished computers. Some of the best refurbished laptops under $500 are presented below.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know when buying them, as well as tips on what you should look for.

What are refurbished laptops?

What are refurbished laptops? We get asked this question so many times.

Refurbished computers are old computers that have been checked and fixed by manufacturers or third-party refurbishers to be used again.

The majority of people think of a refurbished laptop as something that is broken or out of date.

Actually, quite a number of the refurbished ones do not have any fault at all!

Any repaired damage that affected its operation has already been corrected after being inspected by a technician on whatever refurbished laptop you consider.

In reality, some companies that sell reputable refurbished laptops even give you a warranty on your computer.

What to consider?

Refurbished laptops have shown beyond reasonable doubt that they work just as well as their factory sealed counterparts. If you’re ready to find the perfect “new” laptop, here are a few things you might want to take note of.

Environmental impact:

One thing that makes refurbished laptops great is their effect on the environment. Up to 20–50 million tons of e-waste products find their way into landfills every year, causing extensive environmental degradation.

Refurbishing products can reduce the reuse lifecycle and save money.

Storage space:

How will you use your laptop? Your intended use will determine the type and, ultimately, the price of your new laptop.

In order to do this for instance, in gaming or photo or video editing, something with a solid-state drive (SSD) is likely to be required. This is because SSDs are faster than standard hard drives, so they can do more at a faster rate.

However, if you are using it for word processing or even business purposes, a regular hard disk drive storage solution could be just fine.

Yet, taking into account the latest advancements in SSD pricing and storage capacity, SSDs are usually a better choice.

Speed:

Nobody likes a slow computer. Refurbished computers are expected to be old and, thus, not that fast. However, this is not always the case since 4th Intel i5 or i7 laptops are much faster than some brand-new computers with Celeron processors, meaning that you get more speed and quality for less cost.

An industry standard or better of 8 GB of RAM comes with most of the refurbished products, which you will get to know in this article.

Below are some of the best refurbished laptops under $500 that can benefit you not only in terms of price but can also work fine like a new machine.

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (the best refurbished laptop under $500)

Specifications of Lenovo Ideapad 3:

• Screen size: 15.3 inches
• RAM memory: 8GB
•  Storage: 512GB
• Operating system: Windows 11
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500
• Connectivity: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0
•  Special feature: Built in web cam and fingerprint reader 

Review:

After reading this Lenovo IdeaPad 3 review, one thing should be clear in your mind, it is the one of the best affordable laptops on the market right now but not for its eye-catching appearance or high performance—because it is not very expensive. You do get a lot of bang for your buck with a Lenovo laptop.

This refurbished laptop is an absolute steal if you’re looking for something under $500. It’s got some muscle under that hood—like a 15.3 inch screen that’s just perfect for watching movies. And guess what? It comes with a solid 8 GB of RAM plus a huge 512 GB of storage to give you enough space for all files and documents.

Though not suitable for playing heavy games or launching a video production career on this device, it is still worth a few mentions: it’s perfect for basic computing tasks such as surfing the web, answering emails, and making spreadsheets, and moreover, it will satisfy you when streaming TV shows and movies too.

The current version of the operating system, Windows 11, makes it more user-friendly than ever before. It boasts efficient performance since it is fitted with an AMD Ryzen 5 5500 processor that enables faster task execution.

As far as network connectivity is concerned, this notebook covers all bases. Whether you are on the internet or linking up with other devices, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 can ensure quick and steady connections.

One of the remarkable things about the IdeaPad 3 is its built-in web camera. This allows for video calls, online meetings, or even capturing beautiful moments in life. Additionally worth mentioning here is the fingerprint reader, which adds extra security layers and simplifies logins.

In summary, this refurbished laptop is a decent buy. If critically scrutinized, one will realize that it can be suitable for anybody who needs an affordable option without compromising quality or choices. Therefore, if you want to buy a refurbished laptop under $500, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 should be on your list of considerations.

Microsoft Surface Laptop SE CELERON (Just under $200)

Specifications:

• Screen size: 11.6 inches
• RAM memory: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Operating system: Windows 11 SE
• CPU model: Celeron N
• Warranty: 1 year

Review:

Microsoft is trying something new with the Surface Laptop SE, which it has tailored for use in schools only. The Surface Laptop SE is an adorable little laptop.

At just 2.45 pounds, it’s quite light. But this might make it attractive to other generations and they’ll no longer view it as something meant for kids in school.

The new Surface Laptop SE is not like any of the old Surface designs. It is a cheap plastic laptop that has Windows 11 severely limited to only running on it.

Unlike most other surface hardware, the Laptop SE has a completely plastic outer casing. This may indicate that its security could be weakened if you don’t care about having temporary ownership of things.

It is also in the kind of light gray shade that makes every dent obvious and will look grungy after just a short time of use.

This laptop’s interior houses a Celeron N processor that is not as powerful as other premium ones but can perform ordinary duties like browsing, typing, and listening to music. Multitasking is efficient due to the 8GB of RAM and allows one to have many windows open without experiencing any delay in response.

128GB of SSD accommodates all your important files and documents. Additionally, this makes the computer get started fast and also work very well.

Windows 11 SE is the pre-installed software on the Surface Laptop SE, which is designed for simplicity and efficiency. It has a user-friendly interface that enables you to access various apps and software needed for working and communication purposes.

Being a refurbished device, the Microsoft Surface Laptop SE provides great value for money with a 1 year warranty. These machines are examined thoroughly during refurbishment so that they meet quality requirements. Although they may show some signs of previous use, they are usually sold at much lower prices than new ones.

HP Newest Pavilion 15.6″ (Almost 50% discount of this used item)

Specifications:

• Screen size: 15.6 inches HD touchscreen
• RAM memory: 16GB
• Storage: 1TB
• Processor: Intel core i3
• Battery life: 11 hours
• Operating system: windows 11 home

Review:

The HP Pavilion 15.6” HD Touch Screen Laptop is a perfect choice for people looking for a low-priced but efficient computer. If you look at it’s specs, you can’t stop yourself saying, this is the best refurbished laptop you can ever have under $500.

Can you imagine buying a beautiful laptop with these specs: 15.6″ HD Touchscreen Anti-Glare Laptop, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD Storage, Intel Core Processor up to 4.1GHz, Up to 11 Hours Long Battery Life, Type-C, HDMI, and Windows 11 operating system.

But, luckily you got a chance to buy this incredible machine.

This HP Pavilion laptop has a 15.6” HD touchscreen display that will blow your mind away. It’s clear and sharp presentation, plus its ability to respond to touch, make it an excellent multitasking device. The touch screen gives flexibility to all your operations, as it comes in handy when you are streaming, writing, or just browsing.

It looks sleek on the outside but houses pretty powerful hardware. Every single day should be accompanied by reliable performance from Intel processors, which are responsible for that. In this case, this laptop lets you do many things at once, such as editing documents.

Many laptop users worry about how much they can store on their laptops. Its hard disk drive is large enough to provide room for all files and applications in your possession, making its storage space massive enough to satisfy customers needs. Furthermore, the laptop has the adequate 16GB of RAM required for smooth multi-tasking.

This laptop is a beauty, and it always pleases. A complete, full-sized keyboard, and on top of that, its sleek and modern design gives your computing experience some taste. It can be used either for work or for fun, and its portability is fantastic for people who travel a lot. The only thing that can be mentioned about this laptop is the absence of a keyboard backlight, which has left many people disappointed.

The HP Pavilion, running on the Windows 11 Home operating system, offers a user friendly and familiar interface. Windows 11 Home has multiple features and functions that improve productivity and ease of use. It provides a variety of apps and programs to fit your needs, whether you are working, doing something amusing, or being creative.

One of the key features of the HP Pavilion is its excessive energy consumption when it comes to battery life. This battery can work for up to eleven consecutive hours while working, streaming online, or even browsing the web, as it does not wear out fast enough to affect its functionality. This makes it very useful, especially during long working sessions, studying sessions, or even keeping yourself busy while away from home.

Finally, if you are looking for a refurbished laptop under $500, the HP 15 laptop is one option that comes with an Intel Core i3 processor, 11 hours of battery life and the Windows 11 Home operating system. It strikes a balance between performance, battery life, and affordability.

2023 Newest HP Laptop for College Student & Business (Just under $400)

Specifications:

• Screen size: 14 inches
• RAM memory: 16GB
• Storage: 576GB
• Operating system: Windows 11
• Processor: Celeron N4000
• Color: Rose gold
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600
• Weight: 3.24 lbs

Review:

A refurbished laptop that is less than $500, mainly the HP series, has a number of advantages. Firstly, it offers an inexpensive option as opposed to purchasing brand new ones. This can be great if you are living on a tight budget or need to save some money.

Furthermore, these laptops undergo thorough inspection and testing to ensure they are in good working condition. As a result, you can still get yourself a reliable and functional laptop without spending much. Lastly, HP laptops are recognized for providing high quality services and the best performance; hence, most people choose them.

This HP 14 is perfect for students and businesses alike. Your eyes will not suffer as the screen size is 14 inches. The display offers clear and vibrant visuals as you work on your projects, prepare slideshows, or watch videos.

One impressive feature of this laptop is that its RAM is about 16GB. It comes with a huge amount of space that allows for fast multitasking, which means you can run multiple applications at once without any delays. Students who have to open numerous tabs for research or business executives looking for effective task management will find it very useful.

The 576GB capacity is quite large, as it can store files, documents, and even some multimedia items. Storage will not become a nightmare soon for you. This is specifically useful to students with big projects or businesses that deal with a lot of data.

This laptop runs on Windows 11, which is a very friendly operating system. Improve the overall quality of your computing experience by getting the latest updates from Microsoft. The Celeron N4000 processor and Intel UHD Graphics 600 are able to manage everyday tasks effectively, which enables smooth browsing, editing of documents, and some light gaming.

It makes this laptop look more sophisticated with a rose gold color. It’s perfect for both students and professionals who like things clean and fancy.

With just 3.24 lbs., this laptop is lightweight, making it easily portable. You can bring it anywhere you go—to classes, meetings, or wherever work takes you. Its small size and light weight construction make it useful for traveling people.

The HP 14 is generally a dependable and well-rounded laptop that provides the perfect combination of performance, storage, and portability. The HP 14-dq0054dx is a great laptop for both students who are looking for a reliable study companion and business professionals that want an all-in-one workhorse computer.

If you can afford to pay around $500, then you must check HP 17 laptop in this list of the best laptops under $500, it has incredible features.

HP 2023 Pavilion convertible 2-in-1(best for work and students)

Specifications:

• Screen size: 14 inches FHD touchscreen
• Color: Blue
• Processor: Intel core i3
• RAM memory: 8GB
• Operating system: Windows 11
• Storage: 512GB
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Weight: 3.35 lbs

Review:

The HP 2023 Pavilion is an immersive and interactive computing experience that has a 14-inch FHD touchscreen display. It is amazing to stream videos, surf the internet, or work on documents, as it features well colored photos and clear graphics, improving the view.

This laptop spices up the normal tech with its blue color. This could be a refreshing change from all black or silver laptops, which would bring some life to your device.

However, underneath this shiny appearance lies an Intel Core i3 processor that makes it capable of handling any task efficiently. This processor can handle anything from light multitasking and web browsing to document editing. With 8GB of RAM, you can run multiple applications smoothly without any hitches at all.

Again, the fact that it is a convertible 2-in-1 design laptop is also good. Hence, users can easily switch to laptop mode or tablet mode for different needs and circumstances. You can use this feature when you have a report to type or want to write down some notes using a stylus.

Moreover, I found out that it comes with Windows 11 on board, which is a modern operating system and very user-friendly.

Also, you will be able to store files, documents, and photos, as well as a few movies or games you love, since it has a capacity of 512GB. It’s nice to have enough space to keep your things organized and access them with no struggle at all.

The HP 2023 Pavilion has Intel Iris Xe Graphics for graphics. Even though it may not be meant for intense gaming or graphics-intensive workloads, it still offers good visuals for casual gaming multimedia experiences and everyday graphics needs.

In terms of weight, this laptop weighs about 3.35 lbs, thus making it relatively light and portable. This means someone who moves from place to place will need a laptop, which can be carried around without much strain

To recapitulate, the HP 2023 Pavilion convertible 2-in-1 laptop has some good specs, like Windows 11, 512GB of storage space, Intel Iris Xe Graphics and a lightweight design. It is a versatile device that suits all your everyday computing tasks while giving you the freedom of convertible design.

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″ Laptop (refurbished)

Key features of Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″:

• Max Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Pixels
• Graphics Coprocessor: AMD Integrated Graphics
• Color: Abyss Blue
• Memory: 8GB DDR4 SDRAM
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Wireless Type: 802.11ac
• Number of USB: 2.0 Ports 1
• Number of USB: 3.0 Ports 2
• Operating System: Windows 10
• Laptop Weight: 3.3 pounds

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″ Laptop is a great choice to buy at quite an affordable price in refurbished laptops. I am using the link for the original item because the refurbished item does not have an original link available. Still, as you visit this Amazon, after description, you will see multiple buying options from different sellers, and you will get this item in under $400.

If you’re looking for a laptop for regular use or your small business, or maybe you’re a college student, or you might need a laptop for homeschooling, then this Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″ refurbished laptop could be a great choice for you. Because it’s DDR4 SDRAM and SSD makes it faster in all tough jobs.

People have enjoyed working on it for video editing and multi-tasking because it has a powerful CPU, and GPU is also appreciable in this price range.

This refurbished Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″ could be a great choice if you need an entertainment gadget because its display and audio quality are adorable. You will surely enjoy it for entertainment purposes.

Dell Latitude 14 Renewed (Just under $200)

Key features of Dell Latitude 14 UltraBook:

• Memory: 8GB DDR4 SDRAM
• Storage: 256 SSD
• Display size: 14 Inches
• Screen Resolution: 1366×768
• Graphics Coprocessor: Intel HD Graphics 520
• Card Description Integrated
• Graphics Card Ram Size 2 MB
• Wireless Type Bluetooth, 802.11ac
• Operating System Windows 10 Pro
• Item Weight 3 pounds

Frankly speaking, it’s top among all refurbished laptops under 500 dollars.

If you’re a business owner and looking for a lightweight, portable laptop that can you carry with you and work on all day at a low price, then Dell Latitude 14 7000 7480 Business UltraBook could be your best choice.

This refurbished laptop is checked and certified by Amazon with 90 days money-back guarantee. So you can trust that it will be as clean as mentioned in their description. The item may not have fully original accessories, but it has all accessories that will be fully functional.

As reviewing Dell Latitude 14 7000 7480 Business UltraBook, it’s the best choice for all those who have high workloads because its DDR4 SDRAM and SSD makes it much faster than any other laptops available at this price range. You can open dozens of tabs and run multiple software at a time.

It has multiple ports that you can use for your business, and it has Wireless and Bluetooth to make your data transfer far easier. It has Windows 10 as an operating system that means you can easily install any of your applications, and surely all applications will be compatible with your system.

The only problem you’re gonna face is battery life. If you can plug-in the charging cable everytime then you should go for it otherwise it’s far better to consider any other laptop because it will yield 1 to 2 hours batter life only.

It’s also a good choice for college students because this refurbished item is available at a very affordable price and with the best features available. But if you’re looking for a laptop for gaming as well, then this might not be a good choice for all new games. It has integrated graphics that are not useful for heavy games.

So if you’re looking for a refurbished laptop that you can use for your small business or educational purposes, then Dell Latitude 14 7000 7480 Business UltraBook is a great affordable item available this time.

But if you can afford to

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (Was $1100 but you can get under $300)

Key features of Microsoft Surface Pro 3:

• Display size: 12 Inches
• Max Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Average Battery Life (in hours): 9 Hours
• Operating System: Windows 10 Professional
• Item Weight: 1.76 pounds
• Rear Webcam Resolution: 5 MP

Review:

While reviewing Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (256 GB, Intel Core i5), we have found that If you’re looking for a cool notebook that you could carry along with you all day and want to use it for your personal use where you don’t put high pressure on it, then this could be a great fit for you.

This refurbished laptop isn’t a great fit for heavy applications like some photo and video editing applications requiring high storage and memory to run them smoothly. But if you spend $100 extra, then you can get Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (256 GB, Intel Core i7) (Renewed), which could be used for heavy loads (to some extent)!

Even if you don’t spend anything extra, still don’t buy refurbished core i3 items or core i5 with 128GB storage gadgets that are also available because those aren’t worth investing in refurbished items.

Overall, it’s a beautiful pick in our refurbished laptops under 500 dollars list.

ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop

Specs of ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop:

• Display size: 15.6 Inches
• Memory Speed: 3.9 GHz
• Graphics Card Ram Size 8 GB
• Wireless Type:: 802.11b/n/ac
• Number of USB: 2.0 Ports 2
• Number of USB: 3.0 Ports 2
• Operating System: Windows 10 S
• Item Weight: 3.75 pounds

Review:

If you buy a refurbished ASUS VivoBook 15, then you won’t save a lot. But it’s still one of the most selling laptops on Amazon, and even it’s picked by Amazon as best selling item.

Still, if you buy Intel Core i5-1035G1 1.0GHz – 8GB RAM 256GB PCIe SSD, then you can save $300 on the gadget (offer may be limited); that’s why we have picked this item in our top 5 refurbished laptops under 500 dollars.

So it’s up to you whatever you save according to your needs.

ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop is a great choice for office use and schooling to prepare and submit your assignments and presentations. Its 8GB RAM makes it faster to browse and surf the internet and use it for casual use.

But it’s never a great choice for heavy duties because its display is not that much appealing and its storage so low that you can’t store anything; otherwise, it will get overloaded. $128 could only be great to save your documents (that take the least storage on a laptop).

If you are looking for a powerful ASUS Machine, then ASUS TUF F15 gaming laptop can be a great pick for you. And if you can afford to pay around $1000, then you must check the MSI Cyborg 15 gaming laptop and the MSI Thin GF63 laptop.

ASUS Vivobook 15’s one plus point is its exclusive Ergolift design that makes its keyboard much more comfortable to use and creates extra space for ventilation. The Ergolift design also improves the audio quality.

HP EliteBook 820 G2 12.5” Laptop refurbished (Just under $100)

Key features of HP EliteBook 820:

• Display size: 12.5 Inches
• Memory: 8GB RAM
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Operating System: Windows 10
• Laptop Weight: 2.99 pounds

Review:

HP EliteBook 820 G2 12.5” Laptop could be your best gadget if you find it a fully functional laptop. Some people get defective gadgets, but thanks to Amazon’s money-back warranty, you can get your full payments back or replace it with the refurbed one. I thought to inform you before you make your mind to buy it and I am sure you will surely make your mind to buy it because its amazing features with the lowest price.

If you’re looking for a small computer that you could use for your personal use and business purposes, but you’re under budget, then surely HP EliteBook 820 G2 12.5in Laptop could be your best choice because it has perfect memory and storage that will be sufficient enough to meet all your small business needs.

The other edge is its OS; Windows 10 Pro 64bit allows you to install any software. It also has multiple cores and built-in WiFi for faster data transfer.

Overall, it’s one of the finest laptops to buy for your small business, especially when you’re really under budget because its price is the minimum to pay for a good business laptop.

As you can see, we got great deals for you. The price range is from $100 to $500 but the laptops are amazing. If you are looking for a refurbished laptop, this list of 10 the best refurbished laptops under $500 will make your day.