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1. Electronics
2. Computers

How to Shop for a Used Laptop or Desktop PC

By Kimber Streams and Andrew Cunningham

One solution? A used PC.

Buying a good used PC entails a little more work than getting something new, but a laptop or desktop from a few years ago should still be good enough for you to browse the internet, hop on video calls, edit documents and other school projects, and chat with friends. Manufacturers like Apple and Dell and stores like Best Buy, Newegg, and others all sell refurbished PCs, saving you from riskier sites like Craigslist and eBay.

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Why you might want to buy used

In getting a used PC, you can save a few hundred dollars on a computer that can do most of the same stuff a new one can. For the things most people do on their computers—browsing the web, editing documents and spreadsheets, or looking at and editing pictures and videos from your —a new computer and one from a few years ago don’t perform that differently from one another.

If you’re on a strict budget, buying used may allow you to buy something that’s nicer than a modern budget laptop for the same money. A high-end Lenovo ThinkPad that sold for $1,400 two or three years ago, for example, will have an as-fast-or-faster processor and a better screen, and will be made of higher-quality materials, than a new laptop that’s selling for $500.

Plus, buying a used PC cuts down on electronic waste. You rescue an old but functional computer from getting thrown in the trash, and you avoid buying a cheap PC that will wear out and be disposed of in a few years.

Reasons not to buy used

If you’re looking to play high-end games or do professional 3D drafting work, a used PC might not be the best choice. Graphics processors are still advancing more quickly than other computer components, and newer PC games have higher system requirements.

Many used laptops have limited to no customer service or warranty support. The best support comes with manufacturer-refurbished PCs, which carry a like-new warranty from the company that made the computer. It’s more common to find limited 30- to 90-day warranties from retailers that will cover if the computer is dead on arrival, but not much else. Third-party extended warranties from companies like Asurion, Geek Squad, or SquareTrade are hit or miss.

You also have fewer choices when shopping for a used PC. You might not be able to find a particular model, but you can find something good from a reliable manufacturer with a decent warranty and fast enough specs, if you know where to look and what to look for.

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Where to buy a used computer

When it comes to buying used PCs, avoid sites like Craigslist, eBay, or Reddit. Although it’s possible to find good deals, if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, it’s easy to get tripped up by fake or misleading listings or even a PC preloaded with malware.

You can avoid scams and heartbreak by buying directly from manufacturers or sticking to major retailers with good warranties. Computers from these sellers are also more likely to be professionally cleaned and restored. Since you’re limited to a smaller pool of available devices, we recommend that you pick a manufacturer first and then look for a computer with our recommended specs on its website.

Manufacturer-refurbished computers

Manufacturer-refurbished computers have been returned to the company that made them, repaired with new parts, and resold in like-new condition, often (but not always) with the same warranty you get with new devices. They’re a great option to save some money and avoid many of the risks that come with buying used.

Apple and Dell have the best stock of refurbished PCs, with frequently updated inventories of near-new desktops and laptops. Both companies offer the same warranties that they provide with their new products, including the ability to extend those warranties for years. They also make it easy to sort computers by specs.

If you’re buying a refurbished Mac, stick to models released after that have Apple’s faster M-series chips; these MacBooks also have longer battery life and more reliable keyboards than older models.

Business desktops and laptops make great refurbs—they’re chunkier than sleek ultrabooks, but they’re more durable and easier to upgrade and repair. For a refurbished Dell computer, look at the Dell Optiplex and Latitude series. And check Dell’s coupon codes to see if there are any models with particularly good discounts; these codes refresh every week or so.

Lenovo and HP also offer refurbs with a one-year warranty—we recommend the Lenovo ThinkCentre and ThinkPad family, and the HP Pro and Elite lineup—though you have to call to order from HP. We don’t recommend any manufacturer refurb with a warranty shorter than one year.

Retailer-refurbished and used computers

Another option is shopping the refurbished and used sections from a trustworthy retailer like Best Buy, Newegg, or OWC. But there’s a difference between a manufacturer-refurbished PC and one listed as “refurbished” on retailer sites like Best Buy and Newegg—at many online stores, “refurbished” is usually just a fancy word for “used.”

When you’re shopping retailer refurbs, Wirecutter Deals senior editor Nathan Burrow recommends looking for the longest warranty possible and then sticking to items in “excellent,” “like new,” or “very good” condition.

If you’re looking for a Mac, OWC has a great reputation for used and refurbished products, and it offers a range of models. These computers have 90-day warranties out of the box, but you can add up to two years of additional warranty coverage.

Best Buy has a wide selection of preowned, refurbished, and open-box laptops and desktops. The site’s filters help narrow down your search by specs, and the desktops in particular are good deals if you can upgrade the memory or install an SSD yourself. But Best Buy’s standard 90-day warranty is shorter than we’d like to see. For Best Buy’s open-box items, Nathan recommends finding what you’re looking for in a nearby store and then checking it out in person for issues before purchasing.

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Newegg also has a lot of used laptop and desktop listings, though its search function isn’t as nice, and you have to be extra vigilant about checking for our recommended specs. Use the “sold/shipped by Newegg” search filters to avoid anything sold by a sketchy third party. And since you can’t inspect the device, look for a manufacturer warranty or a 180-day warranty. Avoid Newegg’s open-box section—the 30-day return window is too short.

Local computer stores may also be a good place to check for used hardware. Micro Center has a decent selection of refurbished desktops and laptops—some are available online, but many are available only in a physical store. You might have other options local to you—in the San Francisco Bay Area, for example, Central Computers is a well-regarded local chain. A little research and checking Yelp and the BBB might reveal good, reasonably priced options near you, and calling ahead with our recommended specs can help you figure out if any of the store’s in-stock systems fit your needs.

We don’t recommend Amazon Renewed computers because the 90-day warranty is short, and you have no way to examine things before you buy them. And while Amazon claims its Renewed products have been “professionally inspected and tested to work as expected,” the company also says “If we source products from a third-party seller, the third-party seller tests and inspects the product.”

If you take your chances on a site like eBay, it’s especially important to make sure the pictures in the listing are of the actual computer you’ll be buying—not one laptop among several, or pictures that claim to be “representative” of what you’re buying. Avoid buying computers from outside the US, since they can take several weeks to ship and such listings are more likely to be scams. Check the listings for laptops to make sure that the charger is included. And don’t buy from sellers with little feedback or negative feedback.

What to look for

The three most important things to look for in a used PC are its physical condition (especially for laptops, which take more physical punishment), the warranty, and its specifications.

The only way to guarantee you’ll get something close to new is to buy a manufacturer-refurbished system. For retailer-refurbished PCs, stick to those in “excellent,” “like new,” or “very good” condition; other sellers may assign letter grades—look for an A or a B rating.

Look for the longest warranty you can find—at least one year for manufacturer-refurbished systems, and at least 180 days (six months) for a used PC from an online retailer. Wirecutter Deals senior editor Nathan Burrow recommends manufacturer warranties over retailer ones, where they’re available. If you can check out the computer in person before buying it, you can get away with a shorter, 90-day warranty, but longer is always better.

Generally, we suggest sticking to PCs made by Dell, HP, or Lenovo (or Apple, if you’re buying a Mac). It’s okay to buy used computers made by Acer or Asus, but it’s usually easier to find parts and support for older computers made by the bigger companies.

Recommended specs

Most people will be well served by a computer that meets our recommended specs for basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video chatting. Here’s what to look for:

• Processor: Look for a tenth-generation or newer Intel Core i5 or i7 processor (Core i5, or i7, followed by a number in the s or higher) or a -, -, or -series AMD Ryzen processor (Ryzen 3, 5, or 7, followed by one of those numbers).
• Memory: You’ll need a minimum of 8 GB of memory. But if you buy a computer with 8 GB or less, check to see if you can upgrade the memory yourself—you can almost always upgrade a desktop, but lots of laptops don’t allow it. If you frequently run multiple programs and lots of browser tabs, or if you’ll be playing games or using professional apps like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, or Premiere, look for 16 GB or get an upgradeable device.
• Storage: An SSD that’s 128 GB or larger is enough for your operating system, apps, and important documents. If you need more space for photos, large files, or games, look for a larger drive or plan to supplement with a cloud storage service or an external drive.
• Screen resolution: We prefer laptop displays with a × resolution (also called p or Full HD) because they offer laptops the best combination of sharpness and battery life. You may be able to find laptops with 4K displays, but such a screen adds to the laptop’s cost and reduces battery life. In Macs, look for a Retina Display.
• Screen type: For notebooks, look for IPS or OLED displays, which provide better color reproduction and viewing angles than cheap TN displays. Used-computer listings don’t always specify the display technology, but p screens are more likely (albeit not guaranteed) to be IPS.
• USB-C or Thunderbolt ports: These aren’t a necessity, but a USB-C port that can charge a laptop and connect to newer monitors is especially convenient (these ports are not as big a deal for desktops). Replacement USB-C chargers are also easier to find and cheaper to buy.

Things to avoid with used PCs

• Old or slow processors: This list includes Intel Celerons and Pentiums, eighth-generation and earlier Intel Core processors, as well as AMD A-series and -series processors. These are older or slower processors that will all feel their age as you use them. Some may even have trouble supporting basic features of Windows 10 or running modern versions of macOS.
• ×768 screens: These low-resolution screens, sometimes called HD or WXGA displays, can’t fit as much information and don’t look as sharp as higher-resolution screens. They’re also more likely to use cheap, washed-out TN display panels.
• Spinning hard drives (HDD): A traditional hard drive is the slowest part of any older or cheaper computer. If you buy a computer with an HDD, consider replacing that storage with an SSD.
• Less than 64 GB of storage: That isn’t enough space to install Windows and important apps while leaving enough room for Windows Update to work properly. Computers with such tiny SSDs also tend to use a cheaper kind of storage called eMMC, which is slower than a typical SSD and not upgradable.
• 802.11n Wi-Fi (aka Wi-Fi 4): A computer with an older Wi-Fi adapter can still connect to a Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 network, but Wi-Fi 5 (or 802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 6 have been standard in most computers for nearly a decade, so you should avoid Wi-Fi 4.

What to look for and things to avoid with used Macs

• Look for Apple Silicon processors: Even for used models, we recommend sticking to Apple’s M-series processors, since they offer far better speed and battery life. These started production in .
• Avoid MacBooks released between and : 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros released between and , 13-inch MacBook Airs released in and , and all models of the 12-inch MacBook all employ a shallow, unsatisfying “butterfly” keyboard with well-documented reliability problems. Apple is still offering free repairs for these keyboards even when they’re out of warranty, but you should avoid such models entirely if you can help it.

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Upgrades and repairs

When you buy a used PC, you might find that it needs maintenance more quickly or more regularly than a brand-new computer. Or it might need some extra memory or faster storage to help it cope better with modern websites and apps. You can upgrade nearly all desktops and many laptops with a bit of time, research, and a few tools. We can’t advise you on every possible repair to every possible system—iFixit has some PC repair guides, though not for all models—but we can cover the basics. And we have some more advice for repairing and resuscitating an old laptop.

• SSD: If you buy a used PC with a spinning hard drive, that component will be by far the slowest thing in the entire computer. Upgrading to a solid-state drive will dramatically speed things up. We have SSD recommendations for older and newer computers—Crucial’s System Advisor page can give you some information on the kind of drive you need. If the computer you bought already has a small, 128 GB or 256 GB SSD and you want more space, 500 GB and 1 TB drives are much more affordable than they were a few years ago.
• Memory: A Windows PC with 4 GB of memory or less will struggle once you’ve opened more than a couple of apps and a few browser tabs. We recommend 8 GB for basic use and 16 GB for people who frequently run multiple programs or lots of browser tabs, or who play high-end games or use high-end apps like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. Again, the Crucial System Advisor page can tell you what kind of memory to buy for your system—though many laptops, including all MacBooks made after , don’t allow memory upgrades at all.
• Chargers: Some used laptops are sold without chargers, and older MacBook power supplies in particular are prone to fraying. It’s safest to buy a replacement directly from your computer’s manufacturer, and Acer, Apple, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo all have stores you can try. Avoid cheap knock-off chargers, which don’t last as long and can be fire hazards, and don’t buy Apple chargers from eBay, where counterfeits are almost unavoidable. OWC sells genuine Apple chargers for older MacBooks for less than Apple’s prices. For newer USB-C laptops, any certified USB-C charger should work fine.
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi adapters might not be included in your used PC, especially in older desktops. That’s fine if you can connect the computer to your router with a wire, but if you can’t, reliable USB Wi-Fi adapters are available for as little as $20.

Meet your guides

Kimber Streams

I’ve been Wirecutter’s resident laptop expert for more than a decade. In that time, I’ve tested hundreds of laptops—including ultrabooks, gaming laptops, Chromebooks, and budget Windows laptops—as well as thousands of keyboards, mice, and other peripherals.

Andrew Cunningham

Andrew Cunningham is a former senior staff writer on Wirecutter's tech team. He has been writing about laptops, phones, routers, and other tech since . Before that he spent five years in IT fixing computers and helping people buy the best tech for their needs. He also co-hosts the book podcast Overdue and the TV podcast Appointment Television.

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