Top 10 Considerations when Buying Refurbished Laptops in Kenya

In today's rapidly advancing technological landscape, owning a laptop has become an essential part of modern life. Whether you're a student, a professional, or someone who simply enjoys staying connected on the go, a reliable laptop can significantly enhance your productivity and keep you well-informed.

However, investing in a brand new laptop can be a substantial financial commitment, and this is where refurbished laptops come into the picture. In Kenya, the market for "Refurbished laptops in Kenya" has been steadily growing, offering an affordable and eco-friendly alternative for tech-savvy individuals seeking quality computing devices without breaking the bank., so we’ve put together our best top 10 list of considerations, to help you hit the market more prepared.

1. Budget

  1. Operating system
  2. Laptop size
  3. Screen quality
  4. Battery
  5. System memory (RAM)
  6. CPU
  7. Storage
  8. Ports
  9. Brand

    1. Budget

When venturing into the world of "Refurbished laptops in Kenya," one of the foremost considerations is undoubtedly your budget. As with any significant purchase, it's essential to strike a balance between your requirements and the financial investment you are willing to make.

 Fortunately, the refurbished laptop market in Kenya offers a range of options that cater to different budgetary constraints, providing you with an array of choices to match your needs without compromising on quality.

Laptops generally come in three budget related tiers:

  • Budget – good for every day, casual use such as internet browsing, documents, emails, social media and video
  • Mid-tier – a good compromise between budget and performance, providing value for money with better hardware and graphics
  • High-performance – generally marketed to high end gamers and designers, with discreet graphics cards and powerful processers for heavier tasks that need more processing power
  1. Operating system

Just behind budget in importance, the choice of operating system (OS) for your new "Refurbished laptop in Kenya" plays a pivotal role in shaping your overall computing experience. The operating system acts as the foundation of your laptop, determining its user interface, functionality, and compatibility with various software and applications.

 In the refurbished laptop market in Kenya, you'll encounter a diverse array of operating systems, each with its unique features and advantages. Understanding the key characteristics of these operating systems will empower you to make an informed decision tailored to your individual preferences and computing needs.The top three most popular OS on the market right now are:

  • Windows – Windows current release is Windows 11, which boasts speed and performance increases over its previous version, Windows 10
  • Mac OS – Mac computers offer an experience that many users prefer. Mac OS is undeniably great if you’re using your laptop for designing content, due to the screen quality of Mac computers.
  • Chrome OS – Chromebooks offer a light, compact and simple OS that’s ideal for students and people looking for a very affordable alternative to Windows or Mac laptops.
  • If a Chromebook isn’t what you’re looking for, but you’re stuck weighing up the differences between Windows vs Mac, check out our comparison blogs:
    Mac vs PC: 10 Reasons Why Macs are Better than PCs Mac vs PC: 10 Reasons Why PCs are Better than Macs
  1. Laptop size

When exploring the diverse world of "Refurbished laptops in Kenya," one crucial aspect that demands thoughtful consideration is the laptop size. The size of your laptop directly influences its portability and usability, making it a critical factor in determining your overall computing experience. Striking the right balance between portability and screen real estate is essential, as it ensures that your refurbished laptop aligns perfectly with your lifestyle and specific computing needs.

 The Significance of Laptop Size: Laptops are designed to be versatile companions, capable of accompanying you wherever your digital journey takes you. As such, the size of your refurbished laptop plays a key role in determining how conveniently you can carry it around, whether you're commuting to work, studying at a coffee shop, or attending meetings. It's essential to assess your priorities and evaluate how size impacts your day-to-day activities.

  1. Screen Quality

When delving into the world of "Refurbished laptops in Kenya," one of the most crucial elements that significantly impact your overall computing experience is the screen quality. The display of your refurbished laptop serves as your window to the digital world, influencing how you perceive visuals, engage with content, and interact with applications. Understanding the nuances of screen quality empowers you to make an informed choice, ensuring that your refurbished laptop's display aligns seamlessly with your specific needs and preferences.

If you aren’t sure if you need a full HD screen, the best option is to head into your local computer store and check them out in person. Tech specs don’t always give a clear idea of the actual user experience.

  1. Battery Life

When delving into the realm of "Refurbished laptops in Kenya," one aspect that merits careful consideration is the battery life of your chosen device.

The battery life plays a critical role in determining the level of convenience and productivity your refurbished laptop can offer on the go, home and out and about. How long the battery will last is, unfortunately, often quite different to what it says on the box, and impacted by variables like:

 The Importance of Battery Life Battery life is a primary concern for most new laptop buyers, and it becomes equally significant when considering "Refurbished laptops in Kenya." The promise of long-lasting battery endurance not only offers convenience but also provides peace of mind, knowing that your laptop can keep up with your demanding schedule without the constant need for charging

  1. System memory (RAM)

As you delve into the world of "Refurbished laptops in Kenya," one crucial aspect that significantly impacts your laptop's performance is the system memory, commonly known as RAM (Random Access Memory)– such as simultaneously editing photos, writing documents, creating spreadsheets, web browsing and video streaming.

It’s how much system memory your laptop comes with, out of the box, and is often expandable. The more RAM you have, the faster your laptop will be able to access data, and the more applications you can run smoothly at any one time. These days, 8GB of RAM is the minimum that you should buy a new laptop with. If you use lots of power-hungry software, look for 16GB or more, to ensure all your applications run without issue.

  1. CPU

Harnessing Processing Power for Optimal Performance on Your Refurbished Laptop in Kenya. CPU’s are manufactured by two main chipmakers – Intel (core i5, i7, i9) and AMD (Ryzen) – and what’s best for you will come down to whether you’re trying to maximise speed or value, as well as what you’re using your laptop for.

You’ll find Core i5 in the majority of mid-range laptops, and i7 and i9’s in the higher-end laptops. While Core i7 and i9 CPUS offer the best performance, laptops with these CPUs can generate a lot of heat from the bottom of the device.

Keep this in mind if you plan to use your laptop, well, on your lap. Not sure what CPU is best for you? Check out the Best CPUs for 2021 from our friends at PC Mag Australia, to help you make the choice.

  1. Storage

 Striking the Perfect Balance Between Capacity and Performance for Your Refurbished Laptop in Kenya

As you explore the world of "Refurbished laptops in Kenya," an essential aspect that significantly impacts your laptop's performance and storage capacity is the type of storage it utilizes. Storage plays a vital role in how you store and access your data, applications, and files. Understanding the different storage options empowers you to make an informed choice, ensuring that your refurbished laptop aligns with your storage requirements and enhances your computing experience.

The Evolution of Storage Technology: Over the years, storage technology has evolved significantly, transitioning from traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) to faster and more efficient Solid State Drives (SSDs). Each storage type comes with its unique benefits, and understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the ideal option for your needs.

  1. Ports

As you delve into the realm of "Refurbished laptops in Kenya," an essential consideration that often goes hand in hand with laptop functionality is the availability and variety of ports. Ports are gateways that allow you to connect peripheral devices, accessories, and external displays to your refurbished laptop, expanding its capabilities and versatility.

 Understanding the range of ports empowers you to make an informed choice, ensuring that your laptop accommodates your connectivity needs and enhances your overall computing experience.. Common types of laptop ports include:

5mm audio jack – this is for headphones Ethernet – aka RL-45 or Gigabit Ethernet. This port is for connecting directly to wired networks HDMI – used for connecting to external monitors DisplayPort/mini Display Port – an advanced display connection standard, for output to 4K resolution monitors and connecting up to 3 monitors at full HD (using a dock or hub)

 SD card reader (and microSD card reader) – for reading memory cards (used in smartphones and digital cameras)

 USB C – a slim USB port for data transfer and charging, found on many new laptops (Windows and Mac) and smartphones USB – 2.0 is the older version, steadily being replaced with USB 3.0, which transfers data at a much higher rate of 5Gps, 10 times faster than USB 2.0
It’s not uncommon to have more peripherals than ports to plug in via, and for many peripheral devices to have different ports to what you can accommodate. You can purchase a range of adaptors to make up for this.

 A hub is also a good way to turn one laptop USB port into 4 or 6, so there are ways to make up for only getting one or two USB ports on your new laptop. Ideally, you’ll want at least one USB 3.0 port, at minimum.

  1. Brand

As you approach the final decision in your search for "Refurbished laptops in Kenya," an important consideration that holds both aesthetic and practical value is the brand of the laptop.

The brand you choose reflects not only the laptop's physical appearance but also the manufacturer's commitment to reliability, build quality, and customer support. Understanding the significance of brand empowers you to make an informed choice, ensuring that your refurbished laptop comes from a reputable and trustworthy source. Windows OS is featured by a plethora of laptop brands – HP, Toshiba, Acer, ASUS, Lenovo, Dell and Huawei.

Microsoft’s range of Surface laptops. Brand is an important consideration, from the point of view of aesthetics and build quality. The best way to get a feel for what brand is best is to do your research, read reviews, and check out the different brands available in store.

Much will come down to personal preference, but doing your homework on what brands are more reliable, better quality, and likely to last longer, will save you money in the long run.

 Need More Help?

Buying a laptop doesn’t need to be hard work, when you have the experts on hand to give you the advice and service you need. Here at Elevetus Technologies, computers are our business.

We have the inside knowledge and experience to advise you on what laptop is best for your needs, as well as how to setup and maintain it, so that you get your money’s worth.

Don’t take a gamble with your next laptop purchase – call the experts so you make the right decision.