Refurbished vs New Laptop

EssexExile

Dell refurbished machines are new machines that have been returned for some reason. Customer didn't like it, wouldn't do what they wanted, minor fault, etc. Go to the Dell outlet, it's all explained there.

cymruchris

I would buy a (proper) refurb over new with any pc or MacBook. I bought a refurb MacBook Pro in 2015 - saved about 30 percent on the shelf price of a new model, and I'm sat here typing on it right now. It's been trouble-free and reliable - and the extra cash stayed in my pocket.

Withbellson

theGrinch said:

outtatune said:

Well, the main pro is that it'll be cheaper, the main con that it won't be new!

What else were you expecting?

Typical reliability, warranties etc etc

You can extend the warranty with a new DELL. Certified Refurbished have just a one year warranty as standard. 
I haven't bought a new laptop since 2007. 
Most of my purchased Refurbs(for myself and others)  were 'as new' and have lasted more than ten years. One failed at nine years and I had to get it fixed...for £40 at the time.
I have still managed to extend warranties on 'Refurbs' as they were so new that they were still under their original warranty

GDB2222

EssexExile said:

Dell refurbished machines are new machines that have been returned for some reason. Customer didn't like it, wouldn't do what they wanted, minor fault, etc. Go to the Dell outlet, it's all explained there.

That makes sense. Thanks for explaining.

 This thread is a bit confusing, because people are talking about two different things, and I didn’t really see a valid distinction being made. There are almost new machines that have been returned, on the one hand. And, there are older machines, perhaps several years old, that have been ‘refurbished' in some way - possibly just  by having a damp rag wiped over them.  

Withbellson

GDB2222 said:

EssexExile said:

Dell refurbished machines are new machines that have been returned for some reason. Customer didn't like it, wouldn't do what they wanted, minor fault, etc. Go to the Dell outlet, it's all explained there.

That makes sense. Thanks for explaining.

 This thread is a bit confusing, because people are talking about two different things, and I didn’t really see a valid distinction being made. There are almost new machines that have been returned, on the one hand. And, there are older machines, perhaps several years old, that have been ‘refurbished' in some way - possibly just  by having a damp rag wiped over them.  

No need to confuse yourself. Some of us referred to a specific outlet, even naming it for clarity; DELL Outlet. Subsequesntly using their products as an example.

Of course there are many other companies and many other scenarios. If you generalise you are more likely to mislead. Refurb is used from anything to an unused customer return to anything that is usable. How do you propose to cover that in a short and simple explanation? 

Once the OP's budget and requirements are made clear, appropriate advice can be given. .