Back-to-School Laptops and Tablet Prices Are Going Up, but There's a Workaround

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Certified refurbished tech can help you save on your device, but don’t expect all-time-low price drops.

Dashia is the consumer insights editor for Bioreports. She specializes in data-driven analysis and news at the intersection of tech, personal finance and consumer sentiment.

Dashia investigates economic shifts and everyday challenges to help readers make well-informed decisions, and she covers a range of topics, including technology, security, energy and money. Dashia graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She loves baking, teaching spinning and spending time with her family.

Back-to-school tech doesn’t come cheap. And the RAM shortage is making new devices even more expensive than before. Our devices rely on memory chips , but there’s a shortage thanks to the evolution of AI . As a ripple effect, everything from new phones to computers and tablets costs more. You may be able to dodge price hikes by buying certified refurbished devices that cost a fraction of the original price. In April 2026, Bioreports found that nearly half (48%) of US adults had considered buying secondhand devices within the past year.

Several factors influenced their decision, including cost-effectiveness (31%) and newer models being too expensive (25%).

These devices avoid the memory chip shortage crisis, but the increased demand is pushing prices higher. So what should you do if you really need a laptop for school? I’ll explain. Cole Kan/Bioreports/Getty Images 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.

Apple recently increased prices on new and refurbished tech by up to 15% for some devices.

MirageC/Getty Images/J. Hazelwood/Bioreports 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, 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. Look for back-to-school deals on new laptops and tablets 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.

Bioreports experts are also looking for the best deals, like Apple’s annual back-to-school offer that includes a gift card up to $150, the latest laptop deals and daily savings from popular retailers like Walmart.

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.

Dashia is the consumer insights editor for Bioreports. She specializes in data-driven analysis and news at the intersection of tech, personal finance and consumer sentiment. Dashia investigates economic shifts and everyday challenges to help readers make well-informed decisions, and she covers a range of topics, including technology, security, energy and money. Dashia graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She loves baking, teaching spinning and spending time with her family.

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