When buying a refurbished laptop for a student. Any advice?

Buying a refurbished laptop is not a bad option because it saves you a lot of money. Only thing is that it is better to buy it from a reputed outlet or a known source SSO that in case of any problem you can approach them for help. The people selling a refurbished laptop will give a warranty only for 6 months or like that. Sometimes keyboard is an issue in an old laptop and one should check it before buying the refurbished piece. If keyboard is working and all the letters and symbols are rightly coming on the screen when the appropriate key is pressed then keyboard is working properly.
You can explore the option of taking a laptop on hiring basis for sometime till your financial condition becomes better for going for a new laptop. In some places cheaper hiring options are also available.

It is possible that a 5-year-old laptop could still be a viable option, depending on its specifications and condition. However, there are a few things to consider before making the decision to purchase a used laptop:

1. Performance: A 5-year-old laptop may not have the same level of performance as a newer model, especially if it has older hardware. This could make it less suitable for resource-intensive tasks such as gaming or video editing.

2. Compatibility: Some newer software and operating systems may not be compatible with a 5-year-old laptop, which could limit your options and make it harder to use the latest applications.

3. Warranty: A 5-year-old laptop may no longer be covered by a manufacturer's warranty, which means that any repairs or maintenance will need to be paid for out of pocket.

4. Price: Although a 5-year-old laptop may have a lower price tag compared to a new model, it may not offer the same value if it has outdated hardware and may struggle to meet your computing needs. As a result, it is important to consider the potential trade-offs and drawbacks before deciding to purchase a used laptop.

Overall, it is worth considering the trade-offs and potential drawbacks of purchasing a 5-year-old laptop before making a decision. It may be more cost-effective in the long run to invest in a newer model that can better meet your needs and last longer.

Personal views: It could be useful to buy a 5 year old laptop if you need it for basic work. However, if you are planning to do some heavy tasks like: video editing, gaming, coding, and so forth you may need to look for an recent option to consider.

One of the most important things to look at while buying a refurbished laptop is the warranty. If the device is under warranty, then you won't have to worry about any issues arising prior to the purchase. Any and all issues can be fixed by the company service centre and you do not have to run around with the device.