We see it all the time. A customer comes in with a sluggish laptop that’s barely a year old, frustrated that even simple tasks like opening a few browser tabs or logging into Zoom turn into a waiting game. Almost without fail, it’s one of those entry-level machines that looked tempting at JB Hi-Fi or online at Kogan for $399. Sure, it was brand new – but was it actually a smart purchase?
In 2025, there’s a growing misconception that “new” means “better.” The reality? Most budget laptops, especially those from retailers like Kogan, are built to hit a price point, not to last. In this newsletter, we’ll take a closer look at why used, business-grade laptops often outperform brand-new cheap ones, and how to choose wisely when your budget is tight.
What Exactly is a Budget Laptop?
These are laptops priced under $600, sometimes as low as $249 on sale. You’ll see them heavily marketed as student-friendly or great for “basic home use.” Common characteristics include:
- Processors: Intel Celeron, Pentium Silver, AMD Athlon or Ryzen 3. These aren’t just slow – they’re ancient by today’s standards.
- RAM: Typically 4GB, soldered on, with no upgrade path. You will be lucky to get 8GB, and our recommendation is 16GB!
- Storage: soldered 64GB eMMC or 128GB MMC drive. They speed is somewhere between old hard drives and SSDs from 15 years ago.
- Screens: Low-res TN panels with poor viewing angles and colour. Frequently advertised as HD = High Definition!
- Build: Lightweight and flimsy plastic, often creaks under pressure.
- Ports: Bare minimum. No Ethernet, limited USB-C, sometimes no card reader.
The only redeeming qualities are lightweight (cheap plastic, everything is soldered), somewhat decent battery life (because they are so slow!) and low price.
Why People Fall for Budget Laptops
- Low price upfront
- New and shiny
- Retailer hype
- Assumed simplicity – “I only use it for emails.”
But here’s the problem: “Only using it for emails” doesn’t mean your laptop isn’t working hard. Gmail is a bloated web app. Chrome and Edge can eat RAM faster than any game. And if your machine is underpowered, you will hate it. It’s like buying a $20,000 car with 65 horsepower. Technically, it drives. But not on a highway. Not up a hill. Not when the aircon is on.
The Hidden Costs of Cheap Laptops
- Frustration: Waiting for it to boot or load a tab = wasted time
- No upgrade path: Once it slows down, that’s it
- Repairs not worth it: A keyboard or charging port replacement might cost more than the price of the laptop
- Early failure: Budget laptops are not built to last more than 2-3 years
- E-waste: They’re disposable by design, with parts hard to find
In the long run, spending $300 every 2 years is worse than $1500 once for a laptop that can last 10 years with proper care, like Apple MacBook, Lenovo ThinkPad, HP EliteBook or Dell Latitude.
So What’s the Alternative?
Used, business-grade laptops. We’re talking about machines that cost $1,500 – $2,500 new, now available for under $1000. They are designed for big companies and the government. Easy to upgrade, easy to service. You get faster processors, more storage, more RAM, better displays and keyboards. They are also built to last with magnesium or carbon-reinforced chassis and easy to replace parts. We have plenty of these in stock and will have a 25% off sale during the school holidays.
If you’re an Apple user, used and refurbished MacBooks are also a better value, but make sure you get only the ones with a Apple M-series chips instead of older Intel Core i5 and i7. We’ve seen those models on sale for as little as $600 but you have to watch the auctions and sales!
Still want a brand-new laptop? These are the models we can recommend!
