More laptops are coming on the market as corporate IT departments upgrade their leased equipment each year. The laptops that go off lease are often sold to refurbishing shops, where the computer goes through a thorough check, and repairs are made if needed, along with upgrades to parts like memory, CD-ROM drives and operating systems. The refurbishing company then resells the refurbished laptop either direct or through online auctions like eBay. You can find a great deal if you know what to look for.

The key questions to ask when looking at a refurbished laptop are how old the laptop is, which will give you a clue as to how old the hard drive is and the memory. The key wear points on used laptop are often the hard drive, which is susceptible to drops or bumps, as well as the memory. Ask if either the hard drive or the memory has been replaced.

Another item to ask about is about the screen. The screen on laptops can be very sensitive to heat, moisture and physical wear. Find out if the screen has been replaced or repaired. If it's been repaired, you may want to consider a warranty to cover future possible breakdowns.

Ask what kind of operating system is included. Operating systems are easy to install over the prior operating system, so if it's an older operating system version, be sure to ask if you are getting the serial numbers and CDs to allow you to purchase an upgrade if you choose.

Often a refurbished laptop has a manufacturer's warranty available for purchase along with your system. If you want a warranty, be sure to ask what is available, and how long you have to buy the warranty after purchase of the system.

Finally, make sure you feel comfortable with the dealer selling you the PC. Does the vendor answer your questions fully and promptly? Do they have a return period? Can you return for any reason without a restocking fee (which can run to 15% of the price)? Do they have a support department you can contact in case something goes wrong with your system? Where are they located (preferably the US)? And do they have happy client testimonials?

With so many laptop systems on the market, you have options besides buying a new system. Keeping these points in mind while you shop can help you find a great deal on a refurbished laptop.

The first way to save on a laptop is to skip brand names. Trying to find a Sony or Dell that is new and inexpensive isn't impossible, but you can buy more firepower in a laptop if you don't get hung up on labels. You can buy other names or even "no name" laptops which contain the same component parts by manufacturers such as Intel, Athlon, Sony, Seagate, and other major companies. The internal quality can be just the same. Buying a lesser known or unknown brand will take a little more investigation on your part to find out what is included inside. Make sure you get a generous return policy too, in case the system just doesn't measure up.

Speaking of no name laptops, ever though you might build your own laptop? Some resellers specialize in helping you purchase all the components you want, and do the assembly for you. This is a good way to buy a cheap laptop but get the right parts for your needs.

Another way to find a cheap laptop is to go for not-quite-new systems. Look for dealers that sell open box, reconditioned or refurbished laptops. You might even find that brand name you want! These computers have been cleaned up, possibly upgraded, and made to look like new. Warranties may even be available. Don't confuse these with used laptops, since used laptops are generally being sold by their user in an "as-is" condition, not by a computer dealer who has checked the system and repaired or upgraded where needed.

Last of course is buying a used computer system. These can be tricky if don't really know your way around a laptop system. Buying a used system is like buying a used car: Let the buy beware. You have to ask all the right questions about how the system has been sued, what components are included, what condition they are in, and whether anything is malfunctioning. Find out if there is a transferable warranty in place. You can definitely find a used cheap laptop, but you may be buying someone else's problem too. Make sure you know what you're doing. As a last resort, be sure you purchase using PayPal or some other service that offers buyer protection.

With a little leg work, it's possible to find a cheap laptop with good components, warranty in place, and maybe even find a brand name computer, that can meet your needs and still not drain your wallet too much.