Community Newsletter: Q&A: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers

Some understanding

In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN) 

First, let me make a few comments on Brands that you were asking about. I actually read the question, and I think I can give you some background information here:

Printers, scanners, etc. are referred to collectively as "peripherals". It doesn't matter what company they are made by. A PC computer is a PC computer. Period. (Apple and Mac is a whole different kettle of fish.) A printer is a printer. Period. You do not need to use all the same companies products. For example, I have a Dell computer, a Sceptre monitor, an HP scanner, a Brother laser printer, and a Microsoft mouse. My spouse has an Alienware laptop, a Sceptre monitor, HP printer, Logitech trackball, and the wireless keyboard that shipped with my Dell. Everything works perfectly, and none of the brands are the same. When it comes to peripherals, shop for price, features, and quality. Do not think you need to stick to only one brand. (www.epinions.com is a great place to see how real people like or dislike an item and why.)

Now, as to the items you have actually working with your computer, that's where it gets interesting. First, no matter what company you buy a computer from, they will give you an operating system, either Vista or, if you're really lucky, XP. This is where some trouble arises. When Vista first came out, there was a lot of trouble with people trying to get their older (and BRAND-NEW!) "peripherals" to work with Vista, by the use of something called a "driver". (A driver is a small program that tells your computer how to work with your printer, scanner, etc.) At this point in time, most of the driver issues should have been worked out, but if you are lucky enough, try to get a computer that has XP SP2 installed for the easiest transition. It's okay to get Vista, but if your peripherals are very old, you may be out of luck for it working with Vista. This is a SOFTWARE issue, with Windows, it is not a HARDWARE issue. (For example, I loaned a friend a 7-year-old printer to use in a pinch, and HP had a driver for it for XP. It will probably never be written for Vista.)

I hope that gave you a little bit of background information. Now as to refurbs:

My understanding is that a new product rolls off the assembly line, is given a quick test to make sure it works, boxed and shipped. The customer buys it, and opens the box, then returns it for whatever reason. The manufacturer receives the item back, and cannot re-sell it as NEW. They test the system and fix whatever needs fixing, re-test, re-adjust, whatever, and sell it as a refurb, usually at a discount off of new.

I, personally, do not have one bit of problem with buying a refurb computer. I'm typing this on a Dell refurb right now. Two years old and not a bit of trouble. (knock on wood) This is my second. The last one lasted for 4 years when the motherboard died. The only trouble I had along the way was a modem which had to be replaced at 2 years. I hate to sound like a commercial, but both of these were Dells. The first one was so trouble-free, I got another.

Take some of the (insert name) Company rants here with a grain of salt. People who are pissed at (insert name) Company are very quick to rant on a forum, but the people who are happy with what they have don't say as much. It's the old saying "A happy customer tells 5 people, an angry customer tells 20."

As to buying one yourself, the best advice I can give you is, get a refurb, but do not get the "bottom of the bucket cheapo" computer. In other words, don't just look at $price$. Find the features and capabilities you desire most, then find the refurb to fit the bill. Because of all the money you will be saving anyway, bump yourself up to a nicer model. You'll thank yourself. Ask a knowledgeable friend to help you in your decision.

I hope this has helped you in some small way.