Community Newsletter: Q&A: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers
- 2/29/08 3:23 PM
Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 2/29/08 3:23 PM
Question
Hello. I am curious, what are your thoughts on purchasing a refurbished or "recertified" computer, a desktop specifically? I need a fast one but cannot afford a brand new HP (my preferred product) now or even in the near future. Any suggestions or advice on buying these types of computers? And do you think my being partial to HP (I have all HP products as well) is probably the right thing, or do similar systems accept printers and scanners etc. if the brand is different? I hear so many different opinions and "problem stories," but I would love to hear yours if it is possible. Thank you kindly.
--Submitted by Julianne R.
If you have some suggestions or personal experience to share with Julianne, click on the reply and submit away! Thanks!
Opinions on refurbished or "recertified" PCs
by rickbsr - 2/22/08 6:58 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Forget about those computers. For a few hundred more you can buy new. Be king of the hill for about 1 hour. Then someone will come along and best you.
refurbished or "recertified" PCs
by NewEnglander - 2/23/08 3:43 PM In reply to: Opinions on refurbished or "recertified" PCs by rickbsrBut I suspect that the "for a few hundred more" is what Julianne is trying to avoid.
New Englander
by SOPADEFADEO - 3/1/08 11:25 AM In reply to: refurbished or "recertified" PCs by NewEnglanderThanks for clearing that up!!
I Disagree
by TimDLocklear - 2/29/08 7:17 PM In reply to: Opinions on refurbished or "recertified" PCs by rickbsrEven though my business and I personally are very capable of affording brand-new computers, I nearly always purchase computers used (used, not even refurbished) to save money. I have never had a problem, and I have always got excellent systems at excellent deals.
The key is buying from reputable sellers. I always buy items from PublicSurplus.com, from schools and colleges... because typically they are cleaned off with a fresh install of the operating system before you get them, and often very new. Sometimes they will only use them for one semester.
Now, that's talking about DESKTOPS... which in almost all cases are easy to repair or upgrade. I would never buy a laptop/notebook used, or even refurbished.
The AGE of the system, and WHO you but it frrom, that's it!
by dcalhoun38581 - 2/29/08 7:59 PM In reply to: I Disagree by TimDLocklearIn another post, someone wrote:
The key is buying from reputable sellers. I always buy items from PublicSurplus.com, from schools and colleges... because typically they are cleaned off with a fresh install of the operating system before you get them, and often very new. Sometimes they will only use them for one semester.
I agree completely. If a used or refurbished system is no more than one year old AND is a powerful system for its type, I see no problem with buying one. It can save a LOT of money for you and still provide at least 2 or 3 years of good functionality. However, if the system is a "cheap and not-so-powerful" one, it will likely not do what you want it do and thus not be worth buying.
As for HP.... well.... try buying replacement parts for such a highly proprietory system. It will cost as much as buying a new system!
Dennis C., MCSA
Ditto
by mrguy242 - 2/29/08 8:15 PM In reply to: The AGE of the system, and WHO you but it frrom, that's it! by dcalhoun38581"As for HP.... well.... try buying replacement parts for such a highly proprietory system. It will cost as much as buying a new system!"
IBM is proprietary as well, Dell too but at least you can find Dell stuff on ebay.
it reallly depends
by gniw - 3/1/08 8:13 PM In reply to: Ditto by mrguy242Dell or IBM, it is really the same: The cheap desktops are not proprietary (I've seen some with even lower build quality than no-name store-made PC's), but high-end stuff ARE proprietary; well, at least "proprietary" enough that you may have trouble upgrading its parts yourself.
What's wrong with store-built PCs?
by rsimanski - 3/2/08 12:08 AM In reply to: it reallly depends by gniwYour comment about no-name, store-built PCs needs clarification. As in any other human endeavor, there are good computer stores as well as ones that sell junk. If you can find a good computer store that stocks quality, name-brand components and has knowledgeable salespeople, and you are willing to spend between $900 and $1,200 for a desktop system, you can buy a system that will run rings around systems costing the same amount of money from Dell, HP, Gateway, or any other of the mass-market builders. In addition, you are more likely to get good technical support when you have a problem, although it may require you to bring the computer back to the store.
KNOWING WHAT KIND OF SERVICE THIS STORE HAS BEEEN GIVING?
by sloflo - 3/2/08 6:24 AM In reply to: What's wrong with store-built PCs? by rsimanskiDefinitely, knowing the reputation & recommendation of others that had to deal with this particular store is very important. But 1st consideration is, what do you want it for? Exactly what software will you be using? Let look at it this way, if you buy something and 4 weeks or 6 months latter someone tell you or convince you that you should have bought better and you end up feeling sorry you didn't, it will be to late. And remember, if that will be the case, don't hesitate & get what you want NOW. If I may had, get opinions from deferent people before you make that decision, but don't organize yourself to regret that decision latter, you will be miss all the FUN.
hp pruducts
by kdreis - 3/1/08 10:10 PM In reply to: Ditto by mrguy242I beg to differ with you. HP is not a propriatory system like IBM used to be. I have an HP computer and a lightscribe dvd /cd burner I have replaced the hard drive with a western digital and the memory with PNY. SO what's propriatory about HP
hp products
by Powerstream - 3/2/08 9:56 AM In reply to: hp pruducts by kdreisUsally the motherboard, power supply, case are.
Proprietary HP
by anna3333 - 3/2/08 11:32 AM In reply to: hp pruducts by kdreisMy HP motherboard literally burned up because HP did not put ONE SINGLE CASE FAN in it. I didn't know about all that until it happened, then I educated myself and built my own last year. One of my better decisions. I would never even consider buying another HP computer.
HP has designed their case so that you cannot put anyother mobo in it - you HAVE to buy overpriced junk from them.
learning
by welrdelr - 3/2/08 11:40 AM In reply to: Proprietary HP by anna3333Tyhere's something called cannibalizing parts, learn how to do this.
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