A guide to buying refurbished computers for your charity

For third sector organisations, having reliable technology is essential – but often expensive.  

Purchasing refurbished computers can be a cost-effective way to equip staff and volunteers with the tech they need while keeping budgets in check. With the right approach, your organisation can get the tools it needs to operate efficiently and create a greater impact in the communities you serve. 

However, it’s important to make informed choices to ensure reliability and long-term value. Taking the time to understand the meaning behind “refurbished” technology, research warranty policies, and check the specifications of devices – amid other considerations – will help charities purchase with confidence, knowing their new tech will meet their needs, save them money, and save the environment, to boot.  

To that end, we share six key tips below, to help your charity buy the right refurbished tech.

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How to buy refurbished technology 

Refurbished means tested, repaired, and possibly upgraded. 

Used devices are typically sold as-is, with no repairs or guarantees. 

A good, refurbished computer should come with at least a 90-day warranty, though one year or more is ideal. Ensure there’s a return policy in case the device doesn’t meet expectations.   

All our devices at Computers 4 Charity come with a 1-year warranty as standard and you can check out our return policy within our ecommerce terms and conditions. 

Look for sellers who provide details on their refurbishment process. 

At Computers 4 Charity, we securely erase, clean internally and externally, make repairs and upgrades using components from other donated devices, install a new OS, fully update and ensure drivers are functioning correctly, and perform 2 rounds of quality control to ensure every component is functioning well 

Ensure the processor, RAM, storage, and graphics meet your needs. SSDs (Solid State Drives) are faster than HDDs—check for SSD upgrades. 

Thanks to resources such as CPU Benchmark, you can get a good idea of the processing capability of a device before you purchase. For a decent office device, we recommend a PassMark CPU Benchmark score of at least 3000. 

Be sure to review the grade of the equipment you are purchasing and make sure that it fulfils your criteria. 

We have 4 levels of grading which provide accurate descriptions of the devices you are purchasing.  Read our grading guide for more detailed information. 

Make sure that you check the delivery promise. We offer a FREE UK delivery service that is fully tracked and traced. 

By understanding the nuances of refurbished tech and conducting due diligence, you can confidently explore and buy refurbished computers to find the perfect computing solution for your charity’s needs. 

Our reconditioned computers at Computers 4 Charity are fully tested and upgraded – available for charities and non-profits to buy now with a 10% discount off listed prices.