Used Tech Boom as Price Hikes Push Buyers Toward Refurbished Gear

Rising prices for new devices from Apple, Dell, and Microsoft—such as MacBook Pros, iPads, and Xboxes—are fueling a surge in demand for refurbished tech. Retailers report rapid sales and notable jumps in used-device purchases (Back Market: MacBook sales up 62% after price hikes; PayMore: computers up 30%). Surveys show roughly half of U.S. adults have considered buying used tech in the past year, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the trend, driven by AI-related costs, shrinkflation, and a shift toward value over the latest features. The movement also taps into nostalgia, as interest in older devices grows and people downgrade to get capable tech at lower prices.