Second-Hand Laptops Power Up with 8% Market Growth

The rise of the second-hand device market is a topic we cover in depth at CCS Insight. An informal market for used devices was well-established before the organized segment began to take hold in the early 2020s. This was driven by several factors, not least of which was consumer demand for affordable technology amid difficult economic times and a period of slowing device innovation.

Second-hand smartphones have been a powerhouse of growth, but another category that has expanded over the past few years is used laptops. This segment is in many ways more mature than the secondary smartphone market, with the IT asset disposition (ITAD) industry having existed for decades to facilitate the take-back of devices from businesses.

However, the broader market for second-hand laptops has seen good growth in the consumer channel, with the Covid-19 pandemic providing a significant boost, and in the enterprise market, with organizations increasingly identifying second-hand laptops as a cost-effective and sustainable way to equip their workforces.

According to our research, the organized second-hand laptop market grew by 8% to nearly 17 million units in 2024, supported by a healthy supply of traded-in laptops as enterprises started entering the post-pandemic replacement cycle. Cost remains a critical motivator for consumers and businesses alike, with second-hand laptops available for as low as $411 compared with $685 for a new laptop.

Laptop shipments in the organized secondary market (millions), and growth rate (%), worldwide

A continued push for sustainability, led by government-backed policies, especially in Europe, has also fostered stronger adoption. For example, in France, the Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law requires that 20% of devices bought by organizations are refurbished. Similar policies are gaining momentum in Denmark, Finland, Ireland and other European countries.

The market still has plenty of room for growth. Second-hand devices account for only 8% of all laptop sales, with direct competition from low-cost new laptops such as Chromebooks acting as the main barrier for consumers.

On the trade-in side, device supply comes almost entirely from enterprises through ITAD, corporate leasing or device-as-a-service providers, or IT life cycle organizations. Businesses often replace their laptops every three to five years, providing a steady stream of devices that can be economically repurposed or remarketed.

However, consumer-driven trade-in of laptops is yet to take hold. Most people keep their laptop for its full lifespan, which can last for eight to 10 years. Notably, a lack of contractual tie-in hinders much of the trade-in seen in the smartphone segment.

We expect the market to continue growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% between 2024 and 2029, albeit at a slower pace than the 11% CAGR between 2019 and 2024. Microsoft’s decision to end support for Windows 10 laptops starting in October 2025 will bring challenges and opportunities for the sector, as organizations that haven’t already upgraded are expected to replace their older laptops in 2025 and beyond.

In developed markets, this is likely to reduce the supply of second-hand laptops, as devices older than six years will no longer support the Windows operating system. Although a few laptops may be repurposed using ChromeOS or even Linux, we don’t expect strong demand for them. However, we see an opportunity for these laptops to enter underpenetrated developing markets in Africa or Asia, where the lack of Windows 10 support is less critical and cost-sensitivity is much higher than in mature markets.

At the same time, many enterprises will need to replace their old laptops, and a significant portion will choose refurbished or remanufactured devices. This will put further pressure on pricing in the organized secondary market as supply is squeezed and demand rises.

On the demand side, government policies will encourage countries to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainability. Enterprises will still be critical in driving supply and demand for second-hand laptops, but easy financing schemes and warranties will contribute to increased consumer awareness and sales.

The differences between categories of second-hand devices reveal fascinating dynamics. Each has its own challenges in sourcing, refurbishment and sale, but many advantages remain consistent. For consumers and businesses, the opportunity to buy good-quality tech at a lower cost remains attractive, and the environmental upside is a further benefit. At CCS Insight, we continue to track these categories alongside tablets and smartwatches in our circular economy research. Get in touch to find out more about the second-hand device industry.