Are these even worth it or should I just buy a used business laptop (thinkpad/latitude) for everyday use?
Check out the laptops currently available on Woot in this price range or slightly higher with similar specs. Expect something in the three to five years old range based upon the quoted CPU options.
Past reviews of forum posts for similar mystery laptop sales are mixed.
Personally, I too have been tempted by these mystery sales, but I prefer to know exactly what I am buying beforehand. Good luck!
Here’s a link to a recent forum discussion for a similar sale.
I bought one last go around. Then found the same model with better specs on Amazon for $20.00 cheaper. 5 or 6 people posted what they received, and only 1 of the respondents came ahead. One guys computer wasn’t too bad, but the power cord it came with looked like it had been chewed on, and would plug in to charge his laptop. Naturally, he was offered a refund if he returned it, but overall, a little shopping around is better than the gamble. I like my little Lenovo Think Pad, I just could have got a better one at a better price.
Here’s the link to a past sale. You can see what some of us got, and decide whether or not it’s worth it for yourselves. Mystery Laptop (Grade A Refurbished)
Thanks for your feedback. I read yours and the others experiences during the recent past mystery laptop sale and it stopped me from pulling the trigger back then.
The lower prices for similar machines this time around lured me again, but my personal experiences have also been that a little research can pay greater dividends in getting more bang for the buck and often with better warranties.
Thanks again.
Deals and bargains are in the eye of the individual…
As an example of what’s available by doing a little research, I recently purchased a certified refurbished Dell Latitude 5421 laptop with an 11th gen I5, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD, WiFi 5.0, BT 5.0, RJ45 Ethernet, Thunderbolt 4, and a recent fresh install of Windows 11 Pro with a 2 years Allstate warranty for $249.99 with free shipping from a highly-rated Ebay/Amazon reseller. The machine is in like-new condition and so far is working perfectly and suits my non-gaming needs despite being non FHD and roughly 4 years old.
Similar machines have recently been offered on the Dell Refurbished website for around $300 or so with Dell coupon codes. Higher specs models under $400. Both with shorter warranties.
I got a sweet B grade Latitude 7300 a couple years back, and it’s one of my favorite machines. This said, I find I can do better on my own. I bought for the thrill of seeing if I’d luck out. I definitely did. The thought of maybe getting a HP also puts me off. Lenovo or Dell only for me.
As others have noted, these are generally not great deals. Here’s a small selection of comparable laptops at Newegg that meet or beat the minimum specs offered here, for the same or less money. There are a few more options if you’re flexible on some of the specs (e.g. not requiring Windows 11 Pro), and adding recent AMD Ryzen processors in addition to the Intel ones will also offer some additional possibilities. The moral of the story is that if you’re in the market for a relatively cheap used laptop in the sub-$300 price range, there are better deals to be had if you put in a little elbow grease.
(Disclaimer: I do not specifically endorse Newegg, but they have some of the most robust filters for computer specs so that’s why I use them as examples.)
if you made a mistake like me working for big corporations, there is a chance that these corporations sell used items for 1/3rd the cost. been buying iPad pros for $400 (brand new) and $1200 laptops for $450. So you might wanna check with your IT department if such programs exist at your workplace. Good luck.
*obviously, these devices are few generations older
The best laptop I got from Woot was a little new HP made for schools with hardened hinges and ports and bumpers. That was about 12 years ago and I did $250K worth of audio show recording and editing on it. I think it was $250 with free shipping.
Look for new overstock or FACTORY refurbished for dependable gear.
This whole listing feels suspiciously like work lease roll for my bus laptop.
I really wish they would offer this by “size” of screen. I could use a newer laptop but with my eye sight any size less than a 15" wouldn’t really work for me.
Just got mine
It’s a Dell latitude 7410
I7 10610u
16gb ram (soldered)
256gb nvme
100 battery health
Still under Dell warranty til feb 2026
Has a corporate (I think it’s factory reset) install of windows 10
BUT
It’s registered to
Saint Jude’s children hospital!!!
Asking for a nurse login.
Not a big deal BUT come on!!’
Overall I’m happy.
Thanks for your feedback; congratulations on your score.
It’s disappointing to hear that yours doesn’t appear to have been fully refurbished in that prior registrations and user profiles have not been cleared. Ideally, one would hope for a fresh OS installation.
I’m glad to hear that you can resolve that situation relatively easily, but for the average customer that may not be the case.
One would hope that Woot would use reputable refurbishers and have minimum standards for the same.
Anyone order and get theirs yet?
2 posts above yours, there was one check-in.
The listing states that they come with Windows 11 Pro. Odd you got one with Windows 10