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Don't buy a new laptop or tablet for college until you see these 10 'pre-loved' deals at Back Market — including Apple, Android, and more

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021)
(Image credit: Future)

Headed off to college soon? As you probably already know, a decent laptop or tablet is essential for studying. You probably also know that both have been hit hard by the recent component price increases. In short, buying a new laptop can be a pricey affair these days (to say the least).

One possible solution to these woes, however, is to consider picking up a 'pre-loved' model. Specifically, I've had my sights set on the specialist retailer Back Market this week, which is a veritable treasure trove if you're looking to save on a decent laptop.

I've been scanning through Back Market's listings today, and I've found some fantastic recommendations for students, including both Windows laptops and MacBooks, as well as Android tablets and iPads.

Highlights include this 'ugly' 16-inch MacBook Pro M1 for $645 (was $2,399), this college-ready Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon for $628 (was $1,619), and the MacBook Air M1 for $674 (was $1,499), which is a real modern classic. You can check out more details on these picks, as well as others, just below.

Note that all of Back Market's listings have been professionally refurbished by the retailer, including genuine parts and a one-year warranty. That sets them apart from the usual second-hand listings you find on auction sites — especially if you're concerned about the condition of your potential purchase.

Back Market laptop deals

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4: was $1,049 now $399 at Back Market (US)

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.

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Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G10
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon G10: was $1,691.98 now $628.99 at Back Market (US)

Processor: Intel Core i7 (12th gen)
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB

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.

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'Ugly' Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
Great deal
'Ugly' Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021): was $2,399 now $645 at Back Market (US)

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.

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Apple MacBook Air 13 (M2)
Apple MacBook Air 13 (M2): was $1,299 now $699 at Back Market (US)

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.

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Apple MacBook Air 13 (M1)
Apple MacBook Air 13 (M1): was $1,299 now $674 at Back Market (US)

Processor: Apple M1
RAM: 16GB
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 ground-breaking 'M' series ARM chipsets, and it still holds up great for most tasks. This particular listing at Back Market is for the 16GB RAM version, which is the one I'd personally recommend for better performance. Aside from the slightly dated display with thicker bezels, the MacBook Air M1 still looks great and should perform well enough for students.

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Back Market tablet deals

Apple iPad 10 (2022)
Apple iPad 10 (2022): was $425 now $284 at Back Market (US)

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 baseline iPad isn't intended for super high-end work, but for recreational use, it's a great choice.

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Apple iPad Air 5 (2022, M1)
Apple iPad Air 5 (2022, M1): was $749 now $328.32 at Back Market (US)

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.

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Apple iPad Pro (2022, M2)
Apple iPad Pro (2022, M2): was $999 now $579 at Back Market (US)

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.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+
Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+: was $349.99 now $219 at Back Market (US)

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ is a great choice if you'd prefer to go 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.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (2023)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (2023): was $1,099.99 now $529 at Back Market (US)

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.

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Alex Whitelock
Retail Editor

Alex is TechRadar's retail editor, specializing in buying advice and general tips on how to save our readers as much cash as possible. He's covered major retail events in some capacity for over seven years now; both in editorial and other ecommerce adjacent roles on TechRadar, T3, GamesRadar, and other Future PLC sites. Alex's expertise touches on most areas, but he has a particular love for phones, laptops, and cameras, being an avid photographer.