Best Refurbished Laptops in Australia 2025

If you’ve shopped for laptops recently, you’ve probably noticed the prices creeping higher every year. A new MacBook or Surface can easily set you back more than a month’s rent. That’s why so many Australians are asking a different question in 2025: instead of chasing the latest shiny release, why not look at the best refurbished laptops  Australia has on offer? 

With that said, here’s everything you need to know about buying refurbished laptops in 2025. 

Why Buy a Refurbished Laptop in 2025?

Buying refurbished isn’t about settling for less. It’s about being clever with your money. Think of it like buying a pre-loved car that’s been fully serviced. You get the performance without the new price tag. And when it comes to tech, “refurbished” doesn’t mean dodgy or second-rate. It usually means a laptop refurbished by professionals, tested, cleaned, and often sold with a warranty. 

Let’s take a look at why more Australians are skipping new laptops in 2025 and choosing refurbished instead: 

• Better value for money: Premium models that once cost A$2,000 or more can now be picked up for under A$1,000. 
• Eco-friendly choice: Choosing refurbished reduces electronic waste and gives old devices a second life. 
• Reliable performance: All refurbished laptops are tested, cleaned, and restored to factory standards. So you’re not buying a gamble you’re buying a proven device. 
• Warranties included: Unlike second-hand sellers on classifieds, certified refurbishers provide return options and protection. 

Best Microsoft Laptops in Australia (2025)

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (15-inch, i7-1255U)

The Surface Laptop 5 takes the familiar slim design of the Laptop 4 and adds Intel’s 12th-Gen Alder Lake processors. It’s not the most powerful chip out there, but for day-to-day tasks—web browsing, streaming, reports, and spreadsheets it gets the job done. 

What really sells this model is the portability: just 3.4 pounds, a crisp 15-inch touch display with a productivity-friendly 3:2 aspect ratio, and all-day battery life. If you’re constantly moving between the office, uni, and home, this is a laptop that won’t weigh you down. You can snag a refurbished variant at just AU$1,199.

The Good 

• Light and slim design 
• Excellent display with tall aspect ratio 
• The battery lasts through the workday 
• Both USB-C and USB-A ports 

The Bad

• CPU is fine for daily work, but not for heavy video editing 
• Only one USB-C port 
• Pricey if you upgrade storage or RAM 

Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch, i7)

The Surface Book 2 may not be the newest kid on the block, but it still holds up as one of the most versatile 2-in-1s ever made. With its detachable screen, it switches between a laptop and tablet with ease. Pair that with long battery life and you’ve got a device that’s just as useful for travel as it is for everyday office work. 

Typing feels great thanks to the backlit keyboard and decent key travel, and the fanless design keeps it silent. It’s not cheap, and it lacks the raw punch of the larger 15-inch version, but if portability matters most, the 13.5-inch strikes a solid balance. Prices for this refurbished Microsoft Surface Book 2 starts at AU$979.

The Good

• Excellent battery life 
• Convertible design works well in tablet mode 
• Silent fanless build 
• Comfortable keyboard and trackpad

The Bad

• Expensive for older hardware 
• Not as powerful as the 15-inch model 
• Surface Pen sold separately 

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (i5) 

The Surface Pro 7 might look familiar—it’s basically the same design we’ve seen for years—but the inside is what counts. With Intel’s 10th-Gen Ice Lake CPU, Iris Plus graphics, and 8GB RAM, this compact 12.3-inch 2-in-1 handles daily tasks smoothly while staying light enough to slip into almost any bag. 

The kickstand makes it flexible for work, watching videos, or sketching with a pen (sold separately). And yes, Microsoft finally added USB-C, though you still only get two ports and no Thunderbolt support. If you’re exploring the best refurbished Microsoft laptops Australia buyers can pick up, this one is a solid option—priced from about A$499. 

The Good

• Snappy 10th-Gen processor 
• Good battery life 
• High-quality display 
• Kickstand is rock-solid 

The Bad

• Keyboard not included 
• Limited ports 
• No Thunderbolt 

Best Samsung Refurbished Laptops in Australia (2025)

Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 (2023)

The Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 is all about premium feel. With its 16-inch AMOLED display, slim metal build, and Intel’s 13th-Gen Core i7, it’s clearly aimed at professionals who need a machine that looks as good as it performs. While it’s not in the same category as cheap refurbished Samsung notebooks, it delivers excellent long-term value for anyone after a high-end device at a lower-than-new price. 

At 3.6 pounds, it’s not an ultralight notebook. Think of it more as a slim desktop replacement you can still carry around without fuss. The display is sharp and vibrant with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it a joy for work, streaming, or light creative projects.

Refurbished units of the Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 at Phonebot often sit around A$1,199. However, the price can dip lower depending on the grading. 

The Good

• Bright, colour-rich 16-inch AMOLED display 
• Solid, slim build with premium materials 
• Excellent battery life 
• Huge touchpad that makes navigation easy 

The Bad

• Expensive for what it delivers in raw performance 
• Stylus integration feels undercooked 
• Palm rejection on the touchscreen could be better 
• Thick bezels for a 2023 device 

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go LTE (2021)

At the other end of the scale is the Galaxy Chromebook Go LTE — a budget-friendly Samsung laptop in Australia built for students and light users. The 14-inch screen is larger than most Chromebooks, and the built-in LTE option means you can slot in a SIM and stay online without Wi-Fi. 

Performance isn’t its strength — the Intel Celeron chip and 4GB RAM limit it to web browsing, streaming, and basic apps. But for just A$249 refurbished, it’s a practical, everyday notebook with decent battery life. Perfect as a secondary machine or a study laptop. 

The Good

• Affordable, especially refurbished 
• LTE connectivity for mobile internet 
• Decent battery life 
• Light and compact 

The Bad

• Low-resolution display 
• Limited power and storage 
• No HDMI port 
• Basic build quality 

Best Refurbished Apple MacBooks in Australia (2025)

Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch 2022 M2 Chip

The first MacBook to launch with Apple’s M2 chip, this 13-inch Pro blends portability with power. With an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, it delivers faster graphics and smoother multitasking compared to the older M1 model.

It’s not a huge redesign on the outside, but inside it’s a leap forward—perfect for students, remote workers, or anyone who needs a reliable Apple laptop that can easily handle creative apps without breaking a sweat. Refurbished models start at around A$1,149. 

The Good

• Fast performance with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU 
• Long battery life for all-day use 
• Compact and lightweight for travel 
• Smooth multitasking and creative app support 

The Bad

• Still looks like the older M1 Pro on the outside 
• Only two Thunderbolt ports 
• Gets pricey if you need extra storage or RAM 

MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021, M1 Pro Chip)

If you want serious muscle, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Apple’s M1 Pro chip is still one of the best professional used laptop computers for sale—refurbished or not. Its large Liquid Retina XDR display is stunning, making it ideal for video editing, design, and coding.

Add in its powerful processor and strong battery life, and it’s a dream for creative professionals who need desktop-level performance in a portable form. This device can be yours for just A$1,399.

The Good

• Stunning 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display 
• Incredible performance for editing and design 
• Long battery life, even under heavy load 
• Excellent speaker system 

The Bad

• Heavier than other MacBooks 
• Overkill for casual users 
• Expensive even when refurbished 

MacBook Air 13-inch (2020, M1 Chip)

This is the model that kicked off Apple’s shift to its own silicon—and it’s still a gem. Thin, light, and shockingly powerful, the M1 MacBook Air offers blazing fast performance and all-day battery life, while running whisper-quiet thanks to its fanless design. The only trade-off? Limited ports.

But for everyday use, streaming, writing, or even light creative work, it’s one of the best laptops under $1000 Australia, starting from just A$699. For those looking for a MacBook Air in Australia, this one is definitely a top contender.

The Good

• Outstanding battery life 
• Fanless design (silent, runs cool) 
• Thin and ultra-portable 
• Excellent performance for everyday use 

The Bad

• Only two USB-C ports 
• No major design update from older Airs 
• Not ideal for heavy video editing or gaming 

How to Choose the Right Refurbished Laptop in 2025

When you’re shopping for a refurbished laptop, the trick is to match the machine to your lifestyle. Refurbished MacBooks are amazing for video editing, but it’s overkill if all you need is Zoom calls and documents. Here are a few pointers: 

• Define your needs first: 

Students and remote workers often do fine with a refurbished MacBook Air, Chromebook, or Surface Laptop. Designers and gamers, on the other hand, should aim for Pro models with stronger CPUs and GPUs. 

• Check the warranty: 

A good refurbisher always offers one. Six to twelve months is common and gives peace of mind. 

• Pay attention to ports: 

Many slim laptops only come with USB-C, so budget for a hub or dock if you need HDMI, SD cards, or multiple USB-A devices. 

• Don’t obsess over age:

 A two- or three-year-old premium laptop can outperform a brand-new budget model. Look at specs, not just the release date. 

• Battery health matters:

 Ask or check if the battery has been replaced or certified. A “great deal” isn’t so great if it dies after an hour unplugged.

Where to Buy the Best Refurbished Laptops in Australia

When it comes to buying a refurbished laptop, where you get it matters just as much as what you pay. A good retailer will test every device properly, offer a warranty, and give you the confidence that your laptop won’t let you down a few weeks later. 

That’s why many people turn to Phonebot. We stock a wide mix of options — from MacBook Airs and Pros to Samsung Galaxy Books and Microsoft Surface devices — all professionally refurbished and priced fairly. For anyone searching for the best place to buy a laptop, Phonebot offers peace of mind with certified checks, cleaning, and a warranty on every device. 

Sure, you could try your luck on a marketplace, but when reliability counts, going with a trusted store like Phonebot makes the whole process simpler and less stressful. 

Wrap Up

Refurbished laptops in 2025 give you impressive performance without the steep price tag. Not sure which laptop is good for you? Think about your daily tasks, how often you’ll carry it around, and what fits your budget. 

For Australians hunting for laptops for sale Australia, we offer devices that are fully tested, cleaned, and backed by a warranty. So you can enjoy a reliable laptop without the hassle of buying brand new.