Refurbished vs new. Yep, I couldn't tell either. - Contributed

In this age, a decent laptop can cost as little as US$500, a good one, US$500-US800, and a top-drawer option, US$1,000.

Suppose I told you that you could get a very good laptop for the price of a good laptop and the price of a good laptop for the price of decent laptop. (In actuality, price difference is only about 12.8 per cent). And, yes, these laptops were obtained legitimately, not stolen.

Would you buy one? Honestly, why would you say no? There is a small catch to this - the laptop is refurbished. Would you still buy it?

If you changed your mind with that added bit of information, I am here to try to sway you.

What does 'refurbished' actually mean? Many refurbished laptops are just returned laptops that have only been in circulation for 30 days or less. Note: A refurbished laptop could have been simply returned because the colour was wrong or because of other slight defects yet the prices for these laptops are drastically reduced.

Why should you buy one?

They are cheaper than their newer counterparts which may have comparative specs.

They help the environment. Most people do not want to hear this advantage though it appeals to their green side. In most cases, manufacturers will set stringent guidelines on a refurbished laptop to ensure customer satisfaction. These refurbished laptops also undergo thorough checks by the manufacturer.

Do not buy refurbished laptops from websites randomly. To guarantee quality and satisfaction, buy directly from the manufacturer or a company with a reputable name.