Grabalaptop Reviews 131

I purchased a reconditioned Dell laptop from Newandusedlaptops4u on eBay (also trading as Grabalaptop, My Cheap Laptop and Solent Laptops). The laptop was advertised with a 1-year warranty.
We also had problems from day one, but those initial issues were resolved within the first 30 days through eBay’s Money Back Guarantee.
Unfortunately, when the laptop developed a further fault later within the warranty period, the seller stopped responding to messages and eventually blocked communication on eBay.
Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue directly, there has been no support or warranty assistance provided as advertised.
Based on my experience, I would strongly advise potential buyers to be cautious, as after the initial 30-day period there was no meaningful customer service or warranty support.

Simply put - a complete scam company - DO NOT use them - they never reply to any queries - and suddenly state all is out of stock and then keep your money. My bank will sort it out but what a waste of my time - you have been warned ....

I purchased a reconditioned Dell laptop from Solent Laptops (also trading as Grabalaptop, My Cheap Laptop and Newandusedlaptops4u on eBay) in autumn 2022 for £119.99. It was sold running Windows 11 Home and they claim to be a Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher.

The laptop didn't even work when it arrived. When I contacted them they asked me to install remote access software on the device so they could fix it remotely. I refused, which I am glad I did — handing remote access to an unknown company is a serious security risk. They eventually walked me through a BIOS update over the phone to get it running. The fact it didn't work out of the box raises serious questions about the quality of their refurbishment process.

I have since discovered that the machine has an Intel Core i5-4300U processor (4th generation, 2013 hardware) which is not on Microsoft's supported CPU list for Windows 11. It also has no TPM 2.0, which is a mandatory Windows 11 requirement. As a result the laptop has been unable to receive any security updates since June 2023 and has no upgrade path — it cannot run a supported version of any current operating system. Notably, their own website states that as a Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher they provide customers with "an upgrade path to future releases of the Windows operating system" — this is precisely what they failed to deliver.

The machine also has significant screen pressure damage which I believe predates my purchase as I have never mishandled it.

With only 4GB RAM and an unsupported processor, the laptop ran slowly throughout my ownership and now it has almost ground to a halt, even though only used occasionally. I was sold hardware from 2013 dressed up with Windows 11 to appear current and viable, when in reality it was already at the end of its useful life at point of sale.

A Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher should know exactly what hardware meets Windows 11 requirements. Either they knew this machine didn't qualify and sold it anyway, or they failed to check. Either way, under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 this was not fit for purpose.

I would strongly advise anyone buying from this company to check the processor generation and TPM status before purchasing. Do not assume that because a machine is running Windows 11 it actually meets the requirements to do so properly. And think very carefully before allowing them remote access to your device.

Grabalaptop – also known as My Cheap Laptop and Newandusedlaptops4u (on eBay) – are just store fronts for Solent Laptops Limited. If you see any of these names, close the website and take your money elsewhere. Their refurbished laptops do not match their descriptions and they will remove any negative feedback they can.

I purchased a laptop from their eBay store and it arrived with multiple cosmetic issues that would not fit the standard of “very good” condition – there were the expected scratches and scuffs, but also a cracked bottom panel, misaligned display bezel, slightly warped chassis, and the cooling vents were not cleaned very well.

After about five minutes of the setting up the device, the audio completely stopped working. Despite being enabled in the BIOS, running diagnostics would not find any functional sound card. Even installing updates, reinstalling Windows, and updating the BIOS did not restore it.

I opened up the laptop to see the 4G modem antenna connectors were disconnected and free to touch the motherboard (which can cause and may have caused a short). In addition, there was a brown residue inside near the USB ports which could have been from a spilled drink.

I contacted them and they were quick to arrange a replacement. It actually came quicker than the original order and they took away the previous device as part of an exchange with DPD.

When the new order arrived, it was in a slightly better cosmetic condition overall. But within a couple of minutes of switching it on, it was clear that the keyboard had an obvious fault where at least one key – the backspace – did not work properly. I did not check anything further and returned the device at that point.

The issue I have is that these were obvious flaws that anyone blessed with sight could see. Neither of the two laptops I received should have been sold. There is no way that these were put through an “extensive reconditioning process” as glaring issues would have been picked up on – or perhaps they simply do not care.

Another thing they do not tell you is that they get stock from foreign countries. Now, that itself is not an issue, but they do reprint the keyboards to give it a UK layout. While they do mention that they do this in the descriptions, it will render any backlit keys useless. In addition, it makes the laptop smell, and the repaint is not even a good job as scratches off fairly easily and they also managed to paint the chassis as well on the units I received.

I left negative feedback on eBay – including pictures of the condition – and they leveraged eBay’s policies to remove it. Essentially, eBay allows sellers to remove negative feedback if they offer free returns for a full refund. By doing so, they can just scrub any negative comments as long as the customer returns the product.

I also contacted them for a comment to why they requested for eBay to remove my feedback, but they blocked me once the transaction completed.

This is not an isolated incident either as the seller – at least through eBay – has a reputation of selling sub-standard goods, getting feedback deleted, followed by blocking users once the return is complete according to the comments I have been reading online.

Besides the facts, it is my opinion that – based on the samples I have seen – Solent Laptops Limited is using this business model to target less technically knowledgeable people by undercutting the competition with the supply of low-quality refurbished devices.

Almost no doubt they will try to get this review removed as well as opposed to addressing the internal issues with their company.

In short, I would highly advise spending a little more and going with a reputable company. Do not be enticed by the low prices as they are low for a reason. You will get your money back if there are problems (at least through eBay), but expect to waste a few weeks of your time.

I ordered a Microsoft Surface laptop via their eBay shop on February, and I found that the keyboard was malfunctioning last Friday, I contacted the seller on Monday morning and requesting repair service, the response is very quick and provided RMA number for my return. I sent the laptop to them by RoyalMail Tracked 24 and they have fixed the laptop within 2 days and they sent it back by DPD next day, I am able to get a working laptop back within a week. It is an awesome service with flash speed, highly recommend! 👍💻📦

Repaired my Lenovo T480 under warranty with the notorious insufficient wattage error within a week. Excellent hassle free warranty service (from Solent computers).

First postage after paying the laptop took them 6 day. Ok I get it. I got the laptop turned out to be different model. I contacted them they promised to send me another one which they did. It just turned out the laptop was never tested. All they do is put fresh Windows with some 3rd party software which is dodgy already. Also not the issue I just put a new drive. But what turned out a few hours later the laptop was heating up on ALL CORES up to 100 C while just playing a 720p YouTube Video. Thermal paste and pads never replaced or checked. Laptop DID NOT GO THROUGH any tests. They stopped replying to my emails! they made me to go to the post office. Terrible company SCAM STAY AWAY!!

I bought a laptop from this company in Feb 2022. I've had to contact them twice; on both occasions the customer service was outstanding. There was a problem with the first reconditioned Lenovo Thinkpad I bought, which was replaced immediately; today I contacted them again as the keypad was not working and this problem was resolved remotely within a few minutes. I highly recommend this company!

Brilliant company to deal with, ordered laptop for my son at 3pm on a thursday and it arrived next day in the morning. Very helpful customer service.Would highly recommend. great value for money

Excellently packed 😁 much appreciated...it's an excellent machine... My daughter will b well pleased 😂 thank you all so much for a very pleasant experience buying a very nice laptop 😅

Very poor customer service and beware of the RTB warranty, YOU HAVE TO PAY. Taking them to court to recover costs, as it was supposed to be repaired FOC as it was within 12 months. DO NOT BUY FROM THESE PEOPLE

I PURCHASED A LAPTOP FROM THIS FIRM RECENTLY AND WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE PRODUCT AND HOW QUICKLY IT ARRIVED. START UP WAS EASY. AND IT WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. JUST AS GOOD AS NEW IN FACT. I WOULD VERY MUCH RECOMMEND THIS FIRM TO PEOPLE WANTING A HIGH QUALITY LAPTOP AT A GOOD COMPETITIVE PRICE. TOP CLASS COMPANY. TOP CLASS SECONDHAND LAPTOPS.

This laptop with the system that I requested is well worth the money and is working well.

A great product at a very affordable price. I will certainly recommend this company to anyone who wants a reasonably price laptop in a nearly new condition.

It was exactly as stated in the advert. Good condition, the battery lasts a lot longer than I thought it would.

Laptop was as good as new, Excellent Value and very fast delivery. Very happy with purchase.

great value for money but It may need updated parcel tracking.

A fantastic laptop in as new condition. Arrived quickly and very well packed. Would recommend this company to anyone who wants a new laptop. Why spend a lot on a brand new one when you can get a refurbished one? Not only will you save money you will get a better laptop unless you spend several times as much to get the latest model which is as good as the refurb form Grabalaptop.

Bought iPad Air 2. Problems, but this company went above and beyond to ensure complete satisfaction. Highly recommend A1

Laptop ordered came quickly, ordered one with dvd drive but out of stock and received model with better spec processor. Would have been better to have had details with delivery. So far working as expected and came with office pre installed as part of bundle.