I use laptops in computer programming classes that I teach in an after-school program to students in grades 4 - 6.  I have purchased five of the refurbished HP Elitebook 8470p systems for this.  I received them all in good working order.  Setup went smoothly.  The systems are of uniform configuration - that is important for my application. I do not want my young students to be distracted by multiple configurations of the systems on which they learn. The price for refurbished systems makes this a feasible alternative vs. purchase of new systems.  And, overall performance is better than found on the new sub-$200 systems that I tested.. I went in to this with some concern regarding used computers. So far, it has been OK. I have only used them in two classes, to date; therefore, this may be a premature moment in which to offer an evaluation.  But, based on setup and initial use by students, they are quite satisfactory.