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Gift guide

Refurbished Christmas gift guide: consoles and laptops that delight

Refurbished gift ideas for this Christmas: consoles for the whole family and laptops for study or work, with tips to get it right.

NiceTwiceTech editorial team 2 min read

Contents
  1. Consoles: the star present
  2. For the whole family: Nintendo Switch OLED
  3. For kids: Nintendo Switch Lite
  4. For serious gamers: PlayStation 5 or PS5 Slim
  5. Lots of games for little money: Xbox Series S or X
  6. For PC gamers: Steam Deck OLED
  7. Laptops: a present that lasts for years
  8. For students: MacBook Air M1
  9. For Windows users: HP EliteBook or ThinkPad
  10. With style: Surface Laptop 4
  11. For creatives: MacBook Pro 14" M1 Pro
  12. More ideas for under £200
  13. Tips for getting a refurbished present right

Consoles and laptops are among the most wanted presents every Christmas… and among the most expensive. Buying them refurbished lets you give something great while spending a lot less, with a warranty and still arriving in excellent condition.

Consoles: the star present

For the whole family: Nintendo Switch OLED

Games for all ages, handheld and TV modes, and two-player games with the Joy-Con. It's hard to go wrong.

For kids: Nintendo Switch Lite

Cheaper, lighter and handheld only. Ideal for a child who'll mostly play alone or on the go.

For serious gamers: PlayStation 5 or PS5 Slim

The big releases in 4K. The Slim takes up less space and comes with 1 TB; a refurbished original is usually cheaper.

Lots of games for little money: Xbox Series S or X

With Game Pass you get access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee. The Series S is the cheapest current console; the Series X, the most powerful Xbox.

For PC gamers: Steam Deck OLED

Their Steam library in a handheld with a gorgeous OLED screen.

Laptops: a present that lasts for years

For students: MacBook Air M1

Silent, light and with all-day battery. The perfect present for university or sixth form.

For Windows users: HP EliteBook or ThinkPad

Tough business laptops that are very affordable refurbished. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is the lightest; the EliteBook 840 G8, the cheapest.

With style: Surface Laptop 4

Elegant, slim and with a touchscreen. For anyone who wants a good-looking Windows laptop.

For creatives: MacBook Pro 14" M1 Pro

Professional power for photo and video editing, with a stunning display.

More ideas for under £200

Tips for getting a refurbished present right

  1. Buy early: deliveries slow down in December and the most popular models sell out.
  2. Choose the "Excellent" grade if you want it to look new.
  3. Check the warranty and returns period: some shops extend it over Christmas.
  4. Add the accessories: a case, an extra controller or a memory card completes the present.
  5. Test it before you wrap it: switch it on, check the battery and make sure there are no previous accounts.

Frequently asked questions

Is it OK to give something refurbished as a gift?

Yes. A refurbished device works like new, arrives checked and with a warranty, and more and more people value it as a more sustainable choice. If you want it to look new, choose the top cosmetic grade.

When should I buy so it arrives in time?

As early as possible. Deliveries slow down in December and the most popular models sell out. Buying in November gives you time to check it and, if needed, return it.

What if they don't like it?

Check the shop's returns period: some extend it over Christmas. Keep the receipt and ask for a gift receipt if available.

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