SPECS GUIDE · USE CASES · FROM $280

How to pick
the right laptop.

Q: How much RAM do I need in a laptop?

16GB is the new standard. 8GB is the minimum. Most CLS refurbished laptops include 16GB as standard.

Q: Is an SSD better than an HDD?

Yes, 5ÔÇô10x faster. CLS replaces every HDD with an SSD during refurbishment.

Q: What laptop specs do I need for university?

Core i5, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 14" screen, under 1.5kg. Refurbished from $280.

Q: Is a refurbished laptop good enough for work?

Yes. Ex-corporate Dell Latitude, HP EliteBook, Lenovo ThinkPad. 20-point tested, 12-month warranty.

Q: What condition grades are available?

Premium (like-new, 80ÔÇô100% battery), Excellent (70ÔÇô100%), Good (70ÔÇô100%), Acceptable (70ÔÇô100%). Same inspection and warranty on all.

Q: What operating system is included?

Windows 11 Pro pre-installed and fully updated. Pro edition with BitLocker and enterprise features.

Q: What warranty do refurbished laptops come with?

12-month hardware warranty. CLS pays shipping both ways. Battery and charger: 1 month.

Q: Can I visit the store to see laptops in person?

Yes. Unit 25, 16 Loyalty Road, North Rocks NSW 2151. MonÔÇôSun 10amÔÇô6pm. Free shipping online.

CPU, RAM, storage, screen, battery — what actually matters for your use case? This guide cuts through the jargon and tells you exactly what specs to look for, whether you’re a student, professional, or budget buyer.

Business-grade from $280 16GB RAM standard 12-month warranty

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

7 specs that actually matter.

Skip the marketing. Here’s what each spec means in plain English — and what you actually need.

Processor (CPU)

Core i5 is the sweet spot — handles multitasking, browsing, Office, and video calls comfortably. Core i7 for heavy multitasking, video editing, or development. Avoid Celeron/Pentium for anything beyond basic web browsing.

RAM (Memory)

16GB is the new standard — handles multitasking, 20+ browser tabs, and video calls smoothly. 8GB is the minimum. Most CLS refurbished laptops include 16GB as standard. Don’t settle for less.

Storage (SSD vs HDD)

Always SSD. Minimum 256GB, 512GB for heavy use. CLS replaces all HDDs with SSDs during refurbishment — faster boot, faster everything. Never buy a laptop with an HDD in 2026.

Screen size

13–14” for portability (under 1.5kg). 15–16” for desk use and more screen real estate. Minimum FHD (1920×1080) resolution. Touchscreen is nice for note-taking but not essential.

Battery life

8+ hours for all-day use. Business-class models (EliteBook, Latitude, ThinkPad) deliver 8–12 hours. CLS replaces any battery below 70% health. Premium grade gets 80–100%.

Build quality

Metal chassis beats plastic every time. Business-grade laptops from Dell, HP, and Lenovo use MIL-STD durability, spill-resistant keyboards, and reinforced hinges. Built to last 5+ years of daily use.

SHOP BY USE CASE

What to buy for your situation.

Use case	CPU	RAM	Storage	Screen	From
Students	Core i5	16GB	256GB SSD	14”	$280
Business / Office	Core i5–i7	16GB	512GB SSD	14”	$350
Work from Home	Core i7	16GB	512GB SSD	14–15”	$500
Gaming	Core i7+	16GB+	512GB SSD	15–17”	$660
Budget	Core i5	8–16GB	256GB SSD	14”	$280

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

Find your match.

Student Laptops

PORTABLE · i5 · FROM $280

Business Laptops

i5/i7 · 16GB · FROM $350

Lightweight Laptops

UNDER 1.5KG · 13–14”

WHY BUY REFURBISHED FROM CLS

Better specs. Lower price. Same warranty.

STARTING FROM

$280

Refurbished i5 laptops

ORDERS SHIPPED

210,000+

Since 2011 · Sydney

16GB

RAM standard

Point inspection

Month warranty

Business-grade specs · up to 70% off RRP · Windows 11 Pro · free shipping AU-wide

TESTED. GRADED. WARRANTED.

Ready to shop?

Browse refurbished Dell, HP, and Lenovo laptops from $280. 16GB RAM, SSD, Windows 11 Pro, 12-month warranty. Visit our North Rocks, Sydney showroom or shop online — free shipping Australia-wide.

Shop refurbished laptops

FAQ

Questions, answered.

How much RAM do I need in a laptop?

16GB is the new standard for comfortable multitasking — handles 20+ browser tabs, Office apps, video calls, and background processes without slowdown. 8GB is the absolute minimum. Most CLS refurbished laptops include 16GB as standard.

Is an SSD better than an HDD?

Yes, significantly. SSDs are 5–10x faster for boot times and file access, more reliable (no moving parts), and use less power. CLS replaces every HDD with an SSD during refurbishment. Never buy a laptop with an HDD in 2026.

What laptop specs do I need for university?

Core i5, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 14” screen, under 1.5kg. Prioritise portability and battery life (8+ hours). A refurbished Dell Latitude or HP EliteBook starts from $280 and outperforms most new consumer laptops at $800+.

Is a refurbished laptop good enough for work?

Yes. CLS refurbished laptops are ex-corporate business machines — Dell Latitude, HP EliteBook, Lenovo ThinkPad. Metal chassis, enterprise keyboards, Windows 11 Pro. They were built for business use and still deliver. Each passes a 20-point inspection and carries a 12-month warranty.

What condition grades are available?

Four grades: Premium (like-new, 80–100% battery), Excellent (minor marks, 70–100%), Good (visible wear, 70–100%), Acceptable (heavy wear, 70–100%). All grades pass the same 20-point inspection and carry the same 12-month warranty. See our grading page for full details.

What operating system is included?

All CLS refurbished laptops ship with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed and fully updated. That’s the Pro edition with BitLocker encryption, remote desktop, and enterprise security. New consumer laptops at similar prices come with Windows 11 Home.

What warranty do refurbished laptops come with?

12-month hardware warranty on all refurbished laptops. CLS pays shipping both ways for warranty claims. Battery and charger: 1 month. Full details on our warranty page.

Can I visit the store to see laptops in person?

Yes. Visit our showroom at Unit 25, 16 Loyalty Road, North Rocks NSW 2151. Open Monday to Sunday, 10am–6pm. Or shop online with free shipping Australia-wide and a 30-day change-of-mind return policy.

LAST UPDATED · MAY 2026 · PRICES BASED ON CURRENT STOCK

★ Shop from $280