[SOLVED] Budget laptop from Costco or refurb online?

esswun

Commendable
Mar 29, 2017
5
0
1,510
Need a cheap laptop for real basic stuff: web browsing, YouTube, some online math and typing games, MAYBE Minecraft but it's definitely not for games. Budget is around $500 but would of course love to pay less. I've never bought a refurb before so I don't know if they're even worth it.

Currently brand new and on sale at Costco:
Dell Inspiron 15 - i3-8145U - 8GB DDR4 - 256GB SSD+Optane $400
Lenovo Ideapad S340 16 - i3-8145U - 8GB DDR4 - 256GB SSD $450

Why shouldn't I just buy a really old refurb with upgraded RAM and SSDs like one of these:
ThinkPad T420s 14 - i5-2520M - 8GB DDR3 - 256GB SSD $195
Dell Latitude E6440 14 - i5-4300M - 16GB DDR3 - 480GB SSD $345
ThinkPad T460 14 - i5-6200U - 16GB DDR3 - 256GB SSD $450

Thanks!
 
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Solution
Acer Aspire 5 slim (AMD R3-2200U)

Those old business laptops might be worth it if you have specific needs like portability, durability, touchscreen, etc.

Also, in many of those laptops with up to 5th gen Intel processors, the resolution will be limited to 720p or 900p.

If you want, you can look for Dell Latitude E7000 series laptops on ebay. They have up to Full HD Touch models with i7-4600U and support 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD.

britechguy

Commendable
Jul 2, 2019
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1,340
I have had excellent luck with factory refurbished units. The majors that sell refurbished certainly don't want their reputations sullied by trying to pass off garbage.

If the units you like were refurbished by Lenovo and Dell, I'd certainly consider them very seriously for the needs you describe.
 

britechguy

Commendable
Jul 2, 2019
1,479
243
1,340
Well, I'd even consider that. If there are enough reviews on a reputable site (and Newegg is certainly one) for machines from a specific refurb source at least you have something to go on.

It's the, say, eBay refurb-er with zero ratings that you should be very cautious about.
 

Sagar_20

Distinguished
Those really old systems will have poor integrated graphics and overly used storage and battery.

If looking for something bang for the buck, get the 300 $ Acer Apsire 5 slim.

It's affordable yet more powerful than those refurbished laptops with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD.
 

esswun

Commendable
Mar 29, 2017
5
0
1,510
Those really old systems will have poor integrated graphics and overly used storage and battery.

If looking for something bang for the buck, get the 300 $ Acer Apsire 5 slim.

It's affordable yet more powerful than those refurbished laptops with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD.
Where's that Acer for $300?

I almost got an IdeaPad from Walmart for $279. It's the same as the Costco one but only a 128GB SSD and the crappier display. I could put a bigger SSD in or just use removable storage for docs/music/pics/vids but can't help the terrible display.
 
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Sagar_20

Distinguished
Acer Aspire 5 slim (AMD R3-2200U)

Those old business laptops might be worth it if you have specific needs like portability, durability, touchscreen, etc.

Also, in many of those laptops with up to 5th gen Intel processors, the resolution will be limited to 720p or 900p.

If you want, you can look for Dell Latitude E7000 series laptops on ebay. They have up to Full HD Touch models with i7-4600U and support 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD.
 
Last edited:
Solution