Is Buying a Used Computer a Good Idea?

Purchasing a used laptop computer is a smart decision, as long as you do your research first. See, used laptops come in all different conditions. Buying one in ok condition might be fine if you’re only planning on using it for a couple months. But, if you want your new-to-you laptop to have a long life, you’ll want to purchase one in great condition from a reputable seller.

The predominant benefit of buying a used computer is price. Brand new laptops are expensive. For example, a refurbished MacBook from Apple costs $1,099 and that same model new costs $1,299. That’s a savings of $200 that can go towards an Upsie warranty; not too bad, right? If you look for the same model on another site, like Amazon, you can likely find it for under $1,000. An additional benefit of buying used is the environmental impact. Manufacturing laptops requires the mining of raw, natural materials. No matter how green an electronics manufacturing company tries to be, harmful by-products will be produced and released. When you choose to purchase a used computer over a new one, you are lowering your carbon footprint and making an environmentally responsible decision.

Absolutely. Insurance protects your laptop from manufacturing defects like a flickering screen. A laptop warranty from Upsie also protects your refurbished laptop from accidents like drops and spills. You can pay for repairs out of pocket, but you will end up paying more for them than you would for an insurance plan plus the deductible.

Hands down, Upsie has the best refurbished laptop warranty plan. Their protection plans cost less than the plans offered by retailers. The Upsie deductible price is lower, too. Additionally, Upsie plans for used laptops cover damage due to accidents.

Upsie laptop insurance does cover accidental damage! The most common accidental damage is from a drop or spill. Most other insurance plans for used laptops do not cover accidental damage, though, so make sure to read the coverage terms before buying a plan. Or make it easy on yourself and go with Upsie.

Yes! It’s a common misconception that you have to buy a warranty at checkout when you purchase your new device. Upsie gives you up to 60-days after purchase to get a warranty for your laptop, tablet or headphones. They give you up to 120-days for smartphones! This way, you can really think through your warranty purchase. It also gives you time to save up a little more money if you just spent all of yours on your laptop.

If you do a quick search for the most durable laptop, you’ll find bulky, thick computers that the average person would not want to carry around. Assuming you don’t want one of those, your next best bet for a durable laptop is a Dell laptop. According to Digital Trends, “If you need a PC for work or school and want it to last for as long as possible, Dell’s machines are a great choice.” Back that with an extended warranty plan through Upsie and you won’t have to worry about defects or accidents for years to come.

If you have an Upsie warranty, a repair is absolutely worth it. For one, getting your laptop repaired under an Upsie warranty costs only a small deductible of $25. That is significantly less money than paying for the repair out of pocket or purchasing a new laptop all together. And, after a repair, your laptop could last for years. Lastly, if you’re at all environmentally conscious, repairing rather than replacing a laptop is a great way to keep your carbon footprint down.

If your laptop is broken beyond the point of repair, or if the cost of a repair is not feasible, Upsie will issue you a replacement. However, if you have already made a claim on the warranty plan, Upsie will instead issue you a check for the remaining warranty value. The warranty value is the amount of protection you purchased (the purchase price of the laptop) minus your first claim amount.

It’s very possible that making a claim with Upsie will be the easiest claim you’ll ever make. Claims for used device plans and new device plans are identical: log into your Upsie account, locate the plan you want to make a claim on and call the number listed there. An Upsie service representative will walk you through the claim quickly so you can get your laptop repaired as quickly as possible. After the service representative approves the claim and collects your deductible, they will schedule an appointment for you at a local repair shop. If there is a particular repair shop you prefer, like the Apple Genius Bar, they can approve that location, as well. If you’d rather ship it into Upsie’s certified repair center, Upsie will send you a shipping label and box.

If you sell your used laptop, there are two options for your Upsie warranty: transfer it or cancel it. Transferring your warranty to a new owner is as easy as filling out a form online. Doing this adds value to your used computer, as well, so you might be able to charge the buyer a little bit more. Cancelling your warranty is just as easy, too. You will receive a prorated refund minus a 10% cancellation fee.

At the end of the day, a used laptop can be a fantastic purchase. However, it’s always smart to be on the safe side and protect it with a reliable extended laptop warranty from Upsie.