You don't need to spend $1,000 on a college laptop — these 12 'pre-loved' deals on MacBooks, Windows laptops, and tablets prove it

Processor: Apple M1 Pro
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB

This has to be one of the best 'bang for the buck' laptops on the entire Back Market site right now: the venerable (but still good) MacBook Pro M1. This is a great price for the 16-inch model specifically, with the only caveat being that this is an 'ugly' listing, meaning that it has visible sticker marks on the chassis. To me, that sounds like a good opportunity to add your own stickers and otherwise enjoy this great laptop. At 16 inches, it's a little bigger than some MacBooks, but it will be good for more stationary setups, and the M1 Pro chipset is still fantastic for intensive tasks like music production, video, or even light gaming.

Processor: Apple M1
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB

The MacBook Air M1 is pretty old now, but it's still in contention for the title of best cheap MacBook alongside the new MacBook Neo. This was the first model to boast Apple's groundbreaking 'M' series ARM chipsets, and it still holds up great for most tasks. Aside from the slightly dated display with thicker bezels, the MacBook Air M1 still looks great and should perform well enough for students or people who just want the basics.

Processor: Apple M1
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB

You really can't go wrong with a MacBook Pro if you're looking for a laptop for work or college — even one as old as the MacBook Pro 13 M1. This was one of the first models to carry Apple's ground-breaking first-gen 'M' chipset, and it's still plenty powerful for even relatively demanding applications like music production and video work (within reason). The built-in fans in the MacBook Pro allow it to squeeze more performance out of the chipset than the one featured in the MacBook Air. I'd recommend upgrading to the 16GB RAM configuration here for the smoothest possible experience, especially because it's cheap to do so at Back Market.

Processor: Apple M2
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB

Getting a slightly older MacBook like this M2 model is a fantastic choice if you're looking to save the cash. Outwardly, this device still looks very modern, and the M2 chipset is still fantastic for browsing, streaming, studying, and even relatively demanding tasks. This listing at Back Market is for the entry-level 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD configuration, but you can upgrade to the larger 512GB model for relatively cheap, too.

Processor: Apple M2
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB

The MacBook Pro 13 M2 is a modest upgrade over the M1, but the improved chipset features better battery life and a small bump in performance — enough to justify the upgrade if you can afford it. As with other devices at Back Market, I'd recommend shopping around for a configuration with 16GB of RAM, as it really helps with the more demanding applications these days.

Processor: Intel Core i5 (11th gen)
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB

This Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is a bargain if you just want a stylish machine to cover the basics. With 8GB of RAM and a Core i5, you won't get high-end performance out of this laptop, but it's perfect for watching videos, studying, and typing out documents. At 13 inches, the Surface Laptop is great for throwing in a bag, and you also get a decent-sized 512GB storage drive.

Processor: Intel Core i7 (11th gen)
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 is a staple of offices everywhere, and this 14-inch Windows 11 laptop is definitely a great choice for students, too. It's lightweight, robust, and understated - perfect if you don't want anything too flashy. This particular listing is for a decent Core i7 / 16GB RAM configuration, which is great for covering both the basics and more intensive tasks. You'll have no issues with everyday performance with this excellent laptop.

Processor: Intel Core i7 (11th gen)
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB

Here's another great listing on a reliable Lenovo ThinkPad machine, this time on a Yoga G6. This particular machine features a touchscreen and a handy 2-in-1 convertible form factor that allows you to use it as both a laptop or tablet. For the price, that's pretty compelling - and, you also get a really nice combination of an 11th gen Core i7 chipset and 16GB of RAM, giving you plenty of performance for even relatively demanding tasks.

If I were a student looking for a tablet to cover the basics, I'd go for this Apple iPad 10 listing at Back Market. This model is a fantastic entry point into the world of iPads, offering a good mix of performance and value. Inside, it features the same chipset as one of the older iPhone models, so you get smooth browsing and streaming here. The base iPad isn't meant for high-end work, but for recreational use, it's a great choice.

The iPad Air 5 rocks the legendary M1 chipset — a much older processor now, but one that massively surprised us when it first debuted. It's a chipset that's still very capable for the wide majority of tasks and provides good battery life, too. While the Air isn't as powerful as the Pro, it's a good mid-tier option between the standard iPad and the higher-end models. It's lightweight, powerful, and features a great display.

The iPad Pro from 2022 is an older device now, but it's still a fantastic tablet if you need something with plenty of power. The differences between this one and the latest model drill down to the chipset and display, mostly. It's a little slower than the newer model, but still wildly quick, and you get an LCD display rather than an OLED panel. Considering Back Market's current price, this one is definitely a strong choice for students.

The Galaxy Tab S9 is a premium Android tablet with a fantastic AMOLED display and lovely minimalist design. Like the A11 above, it's a great alternative to the likes of the latest iPads if you'd prefer to go for the Android OS. Overall, the S9 isn't super cheap, but it is a versatile pick with its all-aluminum body, vibrant design, and speedy Snapdragon chipset.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ is a great choice if you'd prefer to go with Android over the standard iPad. It's not the most powerful tablet in the world, but it's great for the basics like web browsing or watching videos. If you just want a great tablet that works for note-taking or documents, then this is a fantastic option at Back Market.