Secondary laptop market goes 'mainstream' amid memory crunch • The Register

The secondhand laptop market is experiencing a significant surge across Europe as memory chip shortages drive up prices for new devices, making refurbished options increasingly attractive to budget-conscious consumers.

According to market analysis from Context, sales of refurbished PCs through distribution channels climbed 7 percent in calendar Q4 across five major European markets: Italy, the UK, Germany, Spain, and France. This growth comes as component shortages, particularly for memory chips, continue to push prices higher in the primary market.

Affordability driving the refurbished boom

Context's data reveals that affordability remains the primary driver in the secondhand segment, with approximately 40 percent of sales coming from budget-conscious users shopping in the €200 to €300 price range for laptops. The €300 to €400 tier is also expanding rapidly, now representing 23 percent of the refurbished market—up from just 15 percent a year earlier. This shift suggests that some buyers are willing to spend more for improved specifications while still avoiding the premium prices of new devices.

"Our latest analysis shows second-life computing moving decisively into the mainstream, with the UK emerging as the fastest-growing market in Europe," said Jacky Chang, Context's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) specialist. The UK market effectively doubled in 2025, surpassing Germany to become the largest refurbished device market on the continent.

Memory crunch reshaping the market

Memory chipmakers are prioritizing production of high-value memory parts used in AI datacenter applications rather than the types used for PCs, smartphones, and other consumer devices. This strategic shift has created ongoing component shortages and pricing pressure in the primary market, making refurbished devices an increasingly attractive alternative.

"In a market with locked-in supply constraints, these can be an attractive solution for retailers and consumers looking for a solid workaround," Chang explained. The memory crunch is particularly acute because manufacturers are focusing on high-margin AI applications rather than general-purpose computing components.

Regulatory changes boosting repairability

Context also points to the EU Right to Repair legislation, set for introduction in July 2026, as a potential catalyst for further growth in the refurbished market. The legislation aims to increase the availability of repairable devices and spare parts across the region.

While PC vendors have long embraced modular design through the Wintel platform, a report last year claimed laptop makers had largely stalled on efforts to improve the repairability of their portables. The Right to Repair rules could force manufacturers to reconsider their design approaches, potentially expanding the supply of refurbishable devices.

Global context and environmental impact

The refurbished PC market's growth comes amid broader trends in electronic waste and device lifecycle management. A United Nations report released in 2024 warned that the world is creating electronic waste almost five times faster than it is being recycled, at least when looking at documented recycling methods.

Context claims that refurbished PCs are becoming a structural feature of the European PC market, driven by a price-conscious and increasingly sustainability-aware consumer base. This shift represents a significant change in how consumers approach technology purchases, balancing cost considerations with environmental concerns.

Contrasting trends in other device categories

The refurbished market shows different patterns across device categories. While there is a well-established global marketplace for refurbished phones, growth in established regions such as Europe, the US, and Japan has been hit by limited supply and declining export flows from emerging markets. Another factor limiting phone refurbishment is that fewer than a third of European consumers trade in or sell their old phones, according to research, which restricts the supply of secondhand hardware.

Lenovo recently announced plans to offer certified refurbished PCs and servers, indicating that major manufacturers are recognizing the growing importance of the secondary market. Meanwhile, users are now keeping cellphones for 40+ months on average, which is hurting the secondhand market by reducing the supply of relatively recent devices.

The convergence of economic pressures, supply chain constraints, and environmental awareness is transforming the refurbished device market from a niche segment into a mainstream alternative for European consumers. As memory shortages persist and new device prices continue to climb, the trend toward second-life computing appears likely to accelerate further in the coming years.