It's hard to believe that back-to-school season is upon us. Kids will return to the classroom in many parts of the US in a few short weeks, some as early as August 3. School supply lists are already available, so you can start shopping. In addition to notebooks and paper, parents are learning that many lessons and projects are expected to be completed using technology, such as laptops and tablets. Some schools, like my son's elementary school, provide devices such as Chromebooks. But many school-aged and college students will be expected to have a separate device at home, which puts parents in the market for laptops or tablets.
But today's educational tech doesn't come cheap. The evolution of AI led to a memory chip shortage. Those chips are vital to most devices, including phones, gaming consoles, computers and tablets. And that shortage means you can expect higher prices. One workaround could be refurbished or secondhand models.
In April 2026, CNET found that nearly half (48%) of US adults have considered secondhand devices within the past year. Several factors influenced their decision, including cost-effectiveness (31%) and newer models being too expensive (25%).
However, refurbished tech isn't exempt from those price hikes. So what should you do if you have to buy a laptop or tablet for school but don't want to break the bank? I'll explain.
How is the RAM shortage impacting refurbished tech? #
Older devices bypass new chip costs, making them a potentially more cost-effective option. But the RAM shortage is increasing demand and prices for refurbished products.
Apple is the latest tech company to raise prices on its new and refurbished products. Its Certified Refurbished store saw price increases of 6% to 15% in June. A refurbished 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 with 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage cost $1,699, but a discount brought it down to $1,439 on June 14 after looking at Internet Archive's Wayback Machine. It now costs $1,999, but a discount brings it down to $1,699.
Other companies, including Samsung and Microsoft, have also been affected by chip shortages. Microsoft will increase the prices of its Xbox Series X/S on Aug. 1, and its new Surface laptop models will cost more. The chip shortage isn't expected to end until 2028, so more companies may continue to raise prices on new and refurbished devices.
Refurbished back-to-school tech may still cost less than new devices, but there are a few shopping tips to keep in mind if you need to buy a laptop or tablet soon.
Compare policies and prices from refurbished retailers #
You may find good deals when buying secondhand tech online, including discounts and accessories. Buying and selling on online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp can offer good deals, including accessories or a better price than major retailers. However, you won't have a warranty, return policy or professional assessment of the device. That could mean you're stuck with tech you're dissatisfied with.
Certified refurbished retailers, such as Back Market, have limited-time warranties, money-back guarantees and inspections to help you feel comfortable buying a used device online. Compare prices, warranties and policies and specifications across major retailers, such as Amazon's Renewed Store and Best Buy Outlet, for the best deal. And tech brands have refurbished stores, too, like Apple's Certified Refurbished, Dell Refurbished and HP Refurbished Certified. You may even find limited-time back-to-school savings on secondhand tech, but it's worth making sure you have the right protections if you're unhappy or the device isn't what you expected when it arrives.
Once you've settled on a device you're comfortable with, pay with a credit card with purchase protection in case the device is stolen, damaged or lost within a certain timeframe (usually three to six months). Keep all of your receipts and tracking information, and make sure the device is in the expected condition when you receive it.
Trade in your old device for savings #
Major retailers have trade-in programs that can lower the cost of a new device. Apple's Trade-In program gives you an Apple gift card based on the value of your old device. You can use it toward a new or refurbished Apple product or accessory. And Amazon's trade-in program similarly lets you trade-in your old device for an Amazon gift card that can be used toward buying refurbished tech on Amazon.
Another way to save money on refurbished tech during back-to-school season is to sell your old device on a buy-and-sell platform -- such as Swappa, ItsWorthMore or ecoATM -- and trade it in for cash to put more toward a refurbished device you're considering. You may get more or less depending on your device's age and condition. Newer models in good to excellent condition typically sell for more. It's worth comparing offers across sites to get the most money for your device, which can mean paying less for your new one.
Don't count out new laptop and tablet models yet #
Buying refurbished tech may seem like an easy way to cut costs on a laptop or tablet for the upcoming school year, but back-to-school deals and student discounts can sometimes bring the price of a new device down to the cost of a refurbished one.
As enticing as refurbished tech may be, pay attention to software upgrades, the device's battery health and the device's overall condition. Some devices, such as Intel MacBooks, aren't eligible for software upgrades anymore, which isn't ideal when you plan on using it for some time. In that case, a new device may be best.