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It’s hard to believe Back to school season On us.
Children will return to classrooms in many parts of the United States within a few weeks, some as early as August 3. School supply lists are already available, so you can start shopping. In addition to notebooks and paper, parents learn that they are expected to complete many lessons and projects using technology, such as laptops and tablets. Some schools, like my son’s elementary school, provide devices such as Chromebooks. But many school and university students are expected to have a separate device at home, putting parents in the market for laptops or tablets.
But today’s educational technology is not cheap. The development of artificial intelligence has led to a Lack of memory chip. These chips are vital to most devices, including… Phones, Gaming consoles, Computers and Tablets. And this deficiency means you can We expect prices to rise. A used solution or model can be renewed.
In April 2026, CNET found that nearly half (48%) of US adults had considered Used devices During the past year. Several factors influenced their decision, including cost effectiveness (31%) and newer models being expensive (25%).
However, refurbished technology is not exempt from price increases. So, what should you do if you have to buy a laptop or tablet for school but don’t want to spend your money? I will explain.
How does the lack of RAM affect refurbished technology?
Older hardware exceeds the costs of new chips, making it a more cost-effective option. But the shortage of RAM leads to increased demand and prices of refurbished products.
Apple is the latest tech company to raise prices on its new and refurbished products. Saw her certified refurbished shop Prices rise from 6% to 15% In June. 14 inch refurbished MacBook Pro M5 With 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage it costs $1,699, but the discount brought it down to $1,439 on June 14 after looking at the Internet Archive Wayback machine. It now costs $1,999, but a discount brings it down to $1,699.
Other companies, incl Samsung Microsoft was also affected by the chip shortage. Microsoft will increase the prices of its products Xbox X/S On August 1, the new Surface Laptop Models It will cost more. The chip shortage is not expected to end until 2028, so more companies may continue to raise prices on new and refurbished devices.
Refurbished back-to-school technology may still cost less than new devices, but there are some shopping tips to keep in mind if you need to buy a laptop or tablet soon.
Apple recently raised prices for new and refurbished technology by up to 15% for some devices.
Compare policies and prices from refurbished retailers
You may find good deals when buying used technology online, including discounts and accessories. Buying and selling on online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp can provide good offers, including accessories or a better price from major retailers. However, you will not have a warranty, return policy, or professional evaluation of the device. It may mean that you are stuck with technology that you are not satisfied with.
Authorized refurbished retailers, e.g Back marketWe have limited time warranties, money back guarantees, and inspections to help you feel comfortable buying a used device online. Compare prices, warranties, policies and specifications across major retailers, e.g Amazon store renewed and Best outlet to buyTo get the best deal. Tech brands have revamped their stores as well Apple Certified Refurbishment, Dale renewed and HP Certified Refurbished. You may also find limited back-to-school savings on used technology, but it’s worth making sure you have the right protections if you’re not happy or the device isn’t what you expected when it arrives.
Once you’ve settled on a device that’s right for you, pay with a credit card with purchase protection if the device is stolen, damaged, or lost within a certain time frame (usually three to six months). Keep all your receipts and tracking information, and make sure the device is in the condition you expected when you received it.
Trade in your old device to save money
Major retailers have trade-in programs that can reduce the cost of a new device. Apple Trade Program It gives you an Apple Gift Card based on the value of your old device. You can use it to purchase a new or refurbished Apple product or accessory. and Amazon commerce program It also lets you trade in your old device for an Amazon gift card that can be used to purchase refurbished technology on Amazon.
Another way to save money on refurbished tech during the back-to-school season is to sell your old device on a buying and selling platform – e.g Swaba, It deserves more or com. ecoATM – And exchange it for money to invest more in buying a refurbished device that you are considering. You may get more or less depending on the age and condition of your device. Newer models in good to excellent condition usually sell for a higher price. It’s a good idea to compare offers across sites to get the most money for your device, which could mean paying less for your new device.
New laptop and tablet models are not counted yet
Buying refurbished technology may seem like an easy way to cut your laptop or tablet costs for the upcoming school year, but back-to-school offers and student discounts can sometimes bring the price of a new device down to the cost of a refurbished one.
Although refurbished technology may be tempting, pay attention to software upgrades, device battery health, and the overall condition of the device. Some devices, like Intel MacBooks, aren’t eligible for a software upgrade anymore, which isn’t ideal when you plan to use it for a while. In this case, a new device may be better.
