Grading Information

There are multiple reasons to purchase a refurbished laptop, with a cheaper price being just one of the many benefits.  In this article, we will explain the different grades of refurbished devices and what that means for you. 

Jump to:  Grade A  |  Grade B  |  Grade C

There is a huge misconception that buying a refurbished PC means that you will receive a faulty product. In fact, refurbished computers and other devices such as tablets go through a rigorous testing and grading procedure to assess their quality and to ensure they are fit for purpose.

Each device is inspected by our refurbishment team, both externally and functionally, to ensure it meets our minimum requirements for sale on the website.

Refurbished grades allow you to quickly understand the state and quality of a reconditioned product. The refurbished grade reflects any scuffs, scratches, or faults of the device and explains the extent of the issue at hand.

Refurbished grades have become a quality standard in the refurbishment industry in order to accurately communicate what a consumer can expect from a repaired device, regardless of which company or brand they use.

We're proud at Stone Refurb to have one of the strictest gradings around, and this is reflected in our reviews. Many customers comment that what they received was far better than what they were expecting.

Grade A refurbished laptops and desktops will be in excellent condition.

These devices may show minimal signs of use, such as faint marks or subtle wear around the edges, but no damage such as dents, cracks, chips, or missing parts. Any cosmetic wear will be minimal and not visible during normal use.

For laptops, the screen may have barely noticeable marks that are not visible when in use, and there will be no discolouration or blemishes.

All hardware and components are fully functional and tested to ensure there are no known faults or issues.

Grade A mobile phones and tablets look like new at first glance, and are considered in 'Excellent' condition.

The device may have very light scratching to the casing (not visible from 18cm away) and no visible scuffs/presure marks/scratches on the screen. The device will have no dents.

The minimum battery health will be 80%.

The keypad and/or trackpad will have barely noticeable wear or shine.

Laptop hinges will have no cracks, and the ports will have very minimal signs of use.

The screen will have no or barely noticeable cosmetic marks or blemishes that are not visible when in use.

There will be a maximum of two dead pixels.

The case on Desktop PC's will have no or barely noticeable scratches, and will have no dents.

Grade B refurbished laptops and desktops are in good condition and are considered fairly middle of the road amongst repaired devices.

You can expect signs of general wear and tear, such as minor scratches, scuffs, worn keys, or slight discolouration from removed stickers or tags. These are purely cosmetic and do not affect the device’s functionality.  There will be no dents, cracks or chips to the device.

All hardware and components are fully functional and tested to ensure there are no known faults or issues.

For laptops, the screen may have barely noticeable marks that are not visible when in use, and there will be no discolouration or blemishes.

These laptops and desktops are often available at a reasonable price point, especially compared to a Grade A or open box device. This grade is typically ideal for students that need a laptop to move around campus and anticipate bumps occurring but still want to have a sleek looking device.

A Grade B refurbished mobile phone or tablet have stricter grading than laptops or desktops, and are considered 'very good' condition.

The device will have some signs of use, such as hairline scratches to the casing, and very light scratches on the screen that are invisible when turned on. The device will have no dents. The minimum battery health will be 80%.

There may be some sticker residue on the laptop

There may be minor scratches to the PC case 

  The screen will have no or barely noticeable cosmetic marks or blemishes that are not visible when in use.

There will be a maximum of two dead pixels.

  There may be wear on the keys.

Grade C refurbished laptops and desktops are considered well-used but fully functional. These devices will show noticeable signs of previous use, such as visible scratches, slight dents to the casing, or significant wear and shine on the keyboard and trackpad. All cosmetic flaws do not affect performance or functionality.

There will be no cracks, chips, or missing parts (excluding rubber feet)

For laptops, screens may have marks up to 2cm in size that are not visible during use. There may also be up to two dead pixels, but no discolouration or blemishes.

This type of device is most suited to families who need a home computer for children completing schoolwork and do not need to be overly concerned with the aesthetic of the machine.

A Grade C refurbished mobile phone or tablet have stricter grading than laptops or desktops, and are still considered in 'good' condition.

The device will have some moderate signs of use, such as small scratches or dents (no more than 3cm) to the casing, and light to mild scratches on the screen that are invisible when the screen is on. The minimum battery health will be 80%.

Underneath of the chassis showing marks and scratches.

The PC casing showing scratches.

The keyboard will have obvious signs of use

Laptop case will have clear scratches or slight dents

Open-box devices are essentially as good as new! Often these are new devices that have been returned, or the original packing/security seal will have been broken but the machine will be new.

Peripherals may sometimes come without the boxes, but will have never been used and may still come with some original packaging.

Open-box devices have a particular benefit in that they often still have a remaining manufacturer’s warranty, meaning if you experience a fault the device can be repaired or even replaced in some instances.

Ex-Demo devices are generally in great condition! The cosmetics may vary slightly, however you can be assured that all of the components and hardware will be in good working order, without any known faults or issues. 

Here at Stone Refurb, we are always open and honest about our grading policy. Due to their condition, we never sell devices below a Grade C meaning you can always expect to have a functional device suited to your needs. As a bonus, all of our devices come with a minimum of 1 year warranty so that you can be safe in the knowledge that if a fault does occur, we will quickly and conveniently have your device fixed. Find out how we refurbish our devices.