Save or Splurge? Refurb vs Buying New Gaming Laptops
You can still pay thousands of pounds when you buy a refurb gaming laptop; so it can be confusing for both the experienced and casual gamer alike – what’s the best way to buy a refurbished gaming laptop without worrying about performance, warranty or condition issues?
In this refurbished gaming laptops buyers guide, we compare purchasing a new (heavily discounted) UK gaming laptop vs refurb and offer some helpful buyers’ advice for the best UK deals on refurbished laptops from top brands like Lenovo, MSI, Dell, HP, Alienware, Acer and Asus.
Last update on 2023-12-04 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
PC PowerZone Updated List of Gaming Refurb Laptops
These are time-sensitive deals, that we have filtered to be displayed on the website. Click on each product for more information. Before you buy, please check our special offers on new gaming laptops.
Last update on 2023-11-26 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you want a quick way to see what some of the best deals are for refurbished laptops and have the time to read our full guide below then be sure to check out our top 5 list below – each laptop is based on best sellers and review ratings.
Pros & Cons of Buying a Refurbished Gaming Laptop
When you mention the word refurbished, it often sends shudders down consumers’ spines and because PC gaming laptops are complicated, technical devices, when it comes to checking out a good deal many people simply cannot go through with spending their hard-earned cash on a second-hand computer. Let’s list some good and bad points of buying a refurbed laptop in the hope of tipping the balance towards the best option.
Advantages of Buying a Refurbished Laptop?
- Lower price – You can get as much as 50% off when you buy a refurbished gaming laptop vs new.
- Faster machine for less money – It’s true that in most cases when you buy a refurb you can land a laptop that has better components, from a faster graphics card and a more powerful CPU compared to a new model at the same price.
- Warranty – Most reputable sellers will offer at least a 6-month return to base warranty.
- Peace of mind – Of course, you will read online reviews and pick a laptop that can run the latest games at a cheap price and with a refurb gaming laptop you have considerably more buyer protection compared to buying a 2nd hand machine off an auction site like eBay or Gumtree.
Disadvantages of a Reconditioned Gaming Laptop
- Gaming Laptops – Yes this type of laptop is more complicated to properly assess because they run at a fast speed = more load on CPU, graphics, RAM and components.
- Cosmetics – There is bound to be a little scratch, here and there on refurbed gaming laptops. It’s perfectly normal and acceptable but if this bothers you then look at our alternatives below.
- Limited Life Span – Refurbs can sometimes be less reliable and prone to both Windows software, drivers and hardware faults/errors. Replacing laptop parts in the UK and overseas is tricky so if you plan on using your new gaming laptop for more than 3 hours a day then consider a new machine that it proven to be good at running for long periods of time.
- False Economy – Did you know that if look close enough, you can find some brilliant deals on new, cheap UK gaming laptops? It’s very tempting to buy a reconditioned device because of the low price but check out our best-buy laptop deals below.
Refurbished vs New Budget Gaming Laptop?
The pros and cons tell us that it basically boils down to price vs confidence in buying new. What if I told you there was a way to filter out the best online deals (without using rip-off coupons and discount promo code websites)? To find some great savings on cheap gaming laptops we have used both Google and our favourite website for finding great deals.
Below are our top 3 picks for alternative reconditioned gaming laptops in the UK. In other words, these are brand new devices that are marked down as refurb prices.
Top 4 Refurb Gaming Laptop Deals
1. Lenovo ThinkPad x1 Carbon Gen 6 – [Budget Option]
When it comes to a refurbished gaming laptop, the Lenovo ThinkPad x1 Carbon 6th Gen is one to consider.
With its efficient Intel Core i7-8650U Quad-Core processor and Intel UHD Graphics 620 Processing Unit, it can handle graphically demanding games with ease.
Plus, the massive 16GB of ddr4 Memory allows for multiple essential applications to run smoothly, and the super-fast and massive 1TB Solid State Drive provides lightning-fast bootup times and quick access to all your files.
Additionally, the stunning 14″ WQHD IPS anti-glare display allows for incredible visuals, making it perfect for gamers who want to immerse themselves in the game.
Pros:
- Powerful Intel Core i7-8650U Quad-Core Processor with speeds of up to 4.2GHz
- Efficient Intel UHD Graphics 620 Processing Unit for graphically demanding applications
- Massive 16GB of ddr4 Memory for running multiple essential applications
- Super-fast and massive 1TB Solid State Drive for lightning-fast bootup times and quick access to all your files
- Stunning 14″ WQHD IPS anti-glare display that provides an incredible viewing experience
- Long battery life on a single charge
Cons:
- May not be able to handle extremely high-end graphics
- May not be as lightweight as some other gaming laptops on the market
2. HP EliteBook 840 G7
The HP EliteBook 840 G7 is an excellent refurbished gaming laptop that is perfect for budget-conscious individuals who are looking for a machine that is both powerful and efficient.
With its Intel Core i7-10610U Quad Core processor, this laptop delivers incredible high-end performance that won’t sacrifice battery life.
Its Intel UHD Graphics 620 Processing Unit also offers exceptional performance benefits for graphically intensive applications.
Another highlight of this refurbished gaming laptop is its massive 16GB of DDR4 memory which enables you to have all of your essential applications open with plenty of room to spare.
Additionally, the super-fast and massive 1TB solid-state drive allows you to experience lightning-fast boot-up times and gives you quick access to all your applications and files.
While the HP EliteBook 840 G7 may struggle with higher-end and more modern games, it is the perfect machine for playing popular esports titles thanks to its impressive processing power.
The machine’s smaller screen makes it ideal for on-the-go gaming, but it may not be the best option for immersive gaming sessions.
Pros:
- Powerful and efficient Intel Core i7-10610U Quad Core processor
- Large 16GB DDR4 memory for all your essential applications
- Super-fast and massive 1TB solid-state drive for quick access to your files
- Great performance benefits for graphically intensive applications
- Affordable option for budget-conscious gamers
Cons:
- May struggle with higher-end and more modern games
- Not the best option for immersive gaming sessions
- Small screen size may not be ideal for some users
3. ASUS TUF Gaming A15 Gaming Laptop – [Editors Choice]
The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 is the perfect refurbished gaming laptop for gamers who demand high performance without breaking the bank.
With its powerful AMD Ryzen™ 7 processor and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 Laptop GPU, this laptop can handle even the most demanding games.
Its MUX switch allows you to activate or deactivate the dedicated GPU, extending the battery life when you’re not gaming.
The laptop’s maximum cooling system and a 90Wh battery keep this refurbished machine running cool and quiet, even under heavy loads.
The A15’s streamlined chassis design makes it highly portable while also meeting MIL-STD-810H standards, guaranteeing rugged and refined performance in extreme environments.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A15’s 26% larger touchpad is one of the most notable features of this refurbished gaming laptop.
With a significant amount of anime-inspired flare, it’s not just big, but also adds a fun element to your gaming experience.
Combined with its four-way indicator system and QHD or FHD adaptive-sync display options, the A15 delivers a perfect balance of style and performance, ideal for those on the go.
Pros:
- High-performance specs for the price point
- Maximum cooling system to avoid overheating
- Streamlined design and rugged performance
- Big-touchpad and 4-way indicator system for enhanced gaming experience
- Customization options with Armoury Crate
Cons:
- The stock configuration comes with just one PCIe SSD slot
- The ultra-matte plastic finish might not appeal to some buyers
4. Alienware M17 R5 Gaming Laptop
The Alienware M17 R5 is the perfect refurbished gaming laptop for gamers who are looking for an immersive gaming experience.
This laptop boasts a spectacular 17.3” FHD display with a rapid 165Hz refresh rate and an ultra-responsive 3ms response time.
Say goodbye to screen tearing and hello to smooth, immersive visuals that bring your games to life.
This laptop is equipped with the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor, which has 8 cores and clocks in at a blazing 4.7GHz.
It also has a lightning-fast 1TB PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD and a generous 16GB of DDR5 RAM, allowing for quick load times and effortless switching between gaming and productivity tasks.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti provides unparalleled graphics performance with support for ray tracing and DLSS, while G-SYNC technology guarantees tear-free visuals.
Communication is key in the gaming world, and the Alienware M17 R5 delivers on all fronts with an HD RGB IR camera, a microphone, and a per-key RGB backlit keyboard that is highly customizable.
Pros:
- Spectacular 17.3” FHD display with a rapid 165Hz refresh rate and an ultra-responsive 3ms response time
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor with 8 cores and clocking in at a blazing 4.7GHz
- Lightning-fast 1TB PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD and a generous 16GB of DDR5 RAM
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti provides unparalleled graphics performance with support for ray tracing and DLSS at this price point
- G-SYNC technology guarantees tear-free visuals
- HD RGB IR camera, a microphone, and a per-key RGB backlit keyboard that is highly customizable
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for lightning-fast online gaming and effortless device connectivity
- Windows 11 Pro with access to the latest features and security enhancements
Cons:
- May be on the pricier side for some gamers
- Slightly bulky and heavy design may not be suitable for travel or on-the-go gaming
Summoning Up: PC Gaming is a unique recreational activity because the equipment needed IE: gaming laptops are complex machines that are powerful, more expensive to buy vs a desktop equivalent and require decent cooling. So, while there are some great deals on refurbs you have to be vigilant in your research, read reviews and make sure there is a good warranty period of at least 6 months on your purchase.
Also, for the same money spent, you can nearly always buy a gaming laptop on a special deal. We have listed three laptops above that are highly rated and reasonably priced and when you buy from manufacturers like Dell, ASUS, Acer and HP you are covered with decent warranties and responsive customer support.
For those of you who are looking for amazing options for not only gaming but also everyday workloads be sure to check out our top 5 everyday use laptops here.
