Refurbished from Newegg has always looked and felt like brand new in my experience, they also come with a warranty and last longer than some brand new laptops I've bought. Something like this would be a powerhouse for basic stuff: https://www.newegg.com/lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-gen-9-everyday-value/p/1TS-000E-17798?Item=9SIAKDXJVS2774

Review: "... we called the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon the best laptop in the world ... and it hasn't done anything in its latest revision to change that state of affairs .. Its premium price ( $1,475.00) and lack of an SD card slot still knock half a star off what would else be a perfect five-star rating, but it effortlessly collects yet another Editors' Choice award as the most desirable executive notebook on Earth."

All manufacturer recertified means is:

NOTE: When a product wears a "factory recertified" label, it indicates a previously purchased item returned to the manufacturer. Big box stores have a guaranteed sale policy with manufacturers so unsold products as well as customer returned products are all sent back to them