Refurbished vs used vs new: total cost of ownership
The sticker price is only part of the story. Here's what the real cost looks like over three years for a typical ₹30,000 budget:
New budget laptop (about ₹30,000)
- Brand warranty for a year
- Consumer build may show wear sooner
- Battery is new
- Resale value drops quickly
Refurbished business laptop (about ₹25,000–₹30,000)
- Seller warranty (12 months at Whynew)
- Business build lasts longer
- May need a battery in a couple of years (a modest cost)
- Holds resale value reasonably well
Used laptop from an individual (about ₹18,000–₹22,000)
- No warranty, so any repair is your cost
- Unknown battery and storage health
- No invoice
Bottom line
Refurbished often has the lowest total cost when you factor in lifespan, repairs and resale. Used is cheapest upfront but carries the most risk.
