Best Refurbished Laptops for Students in 2024
At Refurbished Tech Deals, we understand that students have unique needs when it comes to laptops. Whether it’s for portability, battery life, or creative capabilities, there’s a perfect laptop out there for everyone. We’ve reviewed the top laptops for students in 2024, focusing on refurbished versions to help you get the best value for your money. With refurbished electronics, students can enjoy the same brand quality at a lower price. Plus, with Backmarket, students get an additional £20 off!
1. Best for Portability: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon
- New Price: £755
- Refurbished Price: £399 (Click here)
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Weight: 0.97kg
- Battery Life: Up to 13.5 hours
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
If you prioritize portability in a laptop, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon is hard to beat. Weighing in at under a kilo, it feels more like a newspaper than a laptop. Made from carbon fiber and aluminum, it’s one of the most portable Windows devices available, featuring a gorgeous touchscreen and a powerful Intel Core i5 processor. The battery life is impressive, lasting a full day, and it charges quickly. The downside is the limited number of ports, but overall, it’s a fantastic choice for students on the go.
2. Best for Battery: LG Gram
- New Price: £1630
- Refurbished Price: £899 (Click here)
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1,024GB
- Weight: 1.2kg
- Battery Life: Up to 19.5 hours
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
The LG Gram is perfect for students who need a laptop that can last all day and then some. Despite its large 16-inch screen, it weighs just over a kilo. The battery life is phenomenal, lasting up to 19.5 hours. It also has a plethora of ports, including USB-A, HDMI-out, and a Micro SD card port, making it versatile for various uses. The only minor drawback is its matte finish, which can attract fingerprints.
3. Best for Creative Students: MacBook Air M1 (2020)
- New Price: £850
- Refurbished Price: £500
- RAM: Up to 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Weight: 1.2kg
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
- Operating System: macOS
The MacBook Air M1 remains a top choice for creative students. Its ultra-slim design, high-quality build, and impressive performance set it apart. The MacBook Air is a delight to use, with a beautiful metal finish, excellent keyboard, and large trackpad. While macOS may not be ideal for gamers, it offers unique advantages for those familiar with Apple’s ecosystem. The battery life is impressive, and despite having fewer ports, its overall performance and quality make it a compelling choice for creatives.
4. Best Budget Laptop: Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
- New Price: £1199
- Refurbished Price: £339 (Click here)
- RAM: Up to 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Weight: 1.2kg
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
For students on a budget, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is a fantastic option. It stands out with its high-quality finish and great screen. Weighing just 1.13kg, it’s highly portable and features a bright touchscreen. Despite its budget price, it doesn’t skimp on components, offering a decent Core i5 processor and 128GB of solid-state drive space. It’s a solid, well-performing laptop without the bloatware that often comes with cheaper machines.
5. Best 2-in-1 Hybrid PC: Microsoft Surface Pro 5
- New Price: £2480
- Refurbished Price: £222 (Click here)
- RAM: Up to 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Weight: 0.8kg
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
The Microsoft Surface Pro 5 remains one of the best Windows tablets available. It builds on the success of its predecessors with future-proof design updates and robust performance. Despite newer models being available, the Surface Pro 5 offers a compelling combination of portability and functionality, making it a worthwhile choice for students seeking a versatile device.
6. Best Chromebook: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
- New Price: £513
- Refurbished Price: £340 (Click here)
- RAM: Up to 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Weight: 1.2kg
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
- Operating System: Chrome OS
Chromebooks are ideal for students who need an affordable, easy-to-use laptop. The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is light, convertible, and perfect for note-taking or entertainment. Although the Celeron processor is less powerful, it’s sufficient for basic tasks like word processing. The instant-on feature and excellent screen make it a practical choice, though the battery life and port options are more limited compared to other models.
Choosing a refurbished laptop can provide excellent value for students, offering high-quality devices at a fraction of the price. Each of these models excels in different areas, ensuring that there’s a perfect fit for every student’s needs.
