Community Newsletter: Q&A: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers
- 2/29/08 3:23 PM
Refurbs: Sometimes they come up lemons. Sometimes limes...
by smokeywaterz - 2/29/08 7:24 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Like many responders, I work in IT. IMHO, buying a new pc is no different from buying a refurb. It's all kind of a crap shoot.
As long as the warranty is cool, odds are you'll have a good experience.
I'm using a refurbed system. I use it for work, surfing, and gaming. The key has been in buying the system, then adding whaever I feel is most suitable to my needs (ie: additional RAM, graphics card, etc).
Also, buying the refurb from a reputable company is always advisible.
Don't trust anything Smokeywaterz has to say.
by shewolves - 3/9/08 4:38 PM In reply to: Refurbs: Sometimes they come up lemons. Sometimes limes... by smokeywaterzSmokeywaterz is a convicted felon , charges included burgulry and assult under domestic violence. He is a first class con artist. Don't trust him! Beware Beware Beware!!!!! Take it from someone whom he screwedover repeatedly!
You are lemons... Don't trust this man !!!!!!!!BEWARE!!!!!!!
by shewolves - 3/21/08 10:39 AM In reply to: Refurbs: Sometimes they come up lemons. Sometimes limes... by smokeywaterzSmokeywaterz is a conartist and a very unsavory person to associate with. He has several felony convictions for burglury and a conviction for domestic violence. He is also a deadbeat father who hasn't paid childsupport since July 2007. He likes to break into houses and steal antiques to resale at auctions or to private dealers and individuals. I got him into repairing computers 10 years ago and 9 years ago he stole a laptop from one our mutual friends. HE IS BAD NEWS STAY CLEAR OR HE"LL TAKE YOU DOWN WITH HIM!!!!!
Thats All I Buy!
by High On Life - 2/29/08 7:26 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You Wont have any problems at HP! And you do save a lot of money! Just go to myhp.com and go to outlet! Enjoy! http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/product_detail.do?storeName=storefronts&landing=outlet&category=Desktop%20PC&lanAttr=Computing&orderflow=1&product_code=GC674AAR%23ABA&catLevel=2
This is the one for me! this will be the third time buying!
HP Refurbs have worked great - but watch the price
by joemac - 2/29/08 7:30 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My last three computers (2 desktops and 1 laptop) have been refurbs - 2 direct from HP, one HP from a reseller. They all still run great and the desktops have had heavy daily use over 3-5 years. I've replaced hard drives, added memory, video cards, etc, but that has been either to upgrade or to replace a hard drive that failed after 5 years -- no surprises. Watch the price leader deals on new brand name computers, as they will often beat refurb pricing, especially with special weekend pricing deals--plus longer warranty. I've looked into building my own computer, but the package prices give me more value for the same dollar. These have all been fairly basic computers. If I were to go for high end, I'd build my own. To your question on brand compatability -- that's not a problem. My printers, scanner and monitors are not HP and they work fine. The drivers for the software either come with your operating system or on disk with the hardware.
Build your own
by cixelsyd - 2/29/08 7:45 PM In reply to: HP Refurbs have worked great - but watch the price by joemacCheaper, and no worries about the condition of the used machine.
I've owned 6 computers - 4 new, 2 used. All 4 new (3 I built, 1 stock laptop) have never had any hardware issues. The 2 used both had hardware failures. The same pattern holds true to computers I've had via my employers.
As far as HP goes, can't say I've had any negative issues with their products - my AMD based Compaq laptop is by far the best I've used.
Refurbished equipment can be a bargain, but...
by armtek - 2/29/08 7:36 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Let me start by saying that I am a Mac person (they do have Intel chips, though...), but I hope that I can help contribute to the discussion 
. I have often purchased 'refurbished' equipment from Apple (online and in the retail store) and have had only one problem to date, but as I purchased an extended warranty there were no issues (Apple allows you to buy AppleCare on store-bought refurbs like the 'new' ones). And, no, it wasn't more expensive to do this than buy new to begin with. Some manufacturers offer the same warranty as new, but I don't know what HP allows you to do for extended warranties, or what type of 'base' warranty you get.
The other thing to consider is that depending where you get your computer, you may or may not be getting a 'new' one anyway. I've purchased several things from BestBuy and CircutCity, only to open them at home and see that they've been 'resealed',and NOT by the manufacturer. In one case at BB, I bought a scanner that had the cables just rolled up into a wad instead of at least having the decency to wrap them up correctly (the 'twisties' were still in the box). The iPod 5G we bought refurbed was great (my daughter was able to save up her own money to buy it, and it came with everything the 'new' ones did).
All that said, you might wish to stalk websites like www.ableshopper.com, froogle.com, or any of the numerous online websites looking for the best deal...you may be able to save your money with a new machine and suffer the angst. www.ableshopper.com will tell you what combination of coupons, rebates, online promotions, etc. COMBINED will give you the best deal. In some cases, I've gotten things where, after rebate, I was paid to buy it (don't expect this with a computer purchase, though...)
Good luck with your purchase!
maybe
by marklshane1942 - 2/29/08 7:37 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
well, you save money, but not always..sometimes other sites have the assumed un refurbed/original items for less, but maybe those are also refurbs too ?..then.....you know that someone has given the item a second look that perhaps the item may not have originally received(quality control stuff)... before clearing it's home factory ...In either case, it has received more than normal attention as a refurbed unit and finally, it may be wise as a precaution to get an extended warranty plan or at least to check and see how good and how long the refurbed warranty is good for...and then maybe to get an extended warranty as a precautuion..
refurbished or "recertified" or Open Box Systems
by chico_77 - 2/29/08 7:38 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The recertified/open boxes desktops and/or laptops are the best way to go. You get good savings, the original warranty and all of the CD's that come with it too. From my experience about 80 to 90% of them never get used, or have been used for a few hours. The other 10 to 20% are systems that have been used for less that a couple of weeks. How do I know all this, I've been selling Dell Open Box laptops for the past 2+ years on eBay, and the sales have been great for me, that I'm now a powerseller on eBay and have my own web site. I agree with a few of the Post the HP refurb laptops are not the best thing to get, I would suggest you look at Dell, Toshiba and/or ASUS. They will give you your best value on the item.
refurbished computers
by monk - 2/29/08 7:45 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you like HP, go to HPshopping.com
They have refurbished systems and give a 1 year warranty with with them.
I am entering this message on a refurbished HP pavilion 520n pc I purchased a few years ago...never had a problem with it.
New or refurbished systems can have problems.
Hope this helps...Good luck on your purchase.
monk
Refurbished computers are just fine!
by pcardout - 2/29/08 7:46 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Well you've got us all excited here at CNET!
The variety of answers indicate that the answer to your question depends on how knowledgeable you are and what you want the computer for. The tone of your question suggests that you are not a serious computer geek, so the suggestion that you build your own, while valid for the enthusiast, is incorrect for you. Likewise laptops, while wonderful, are more expensive and less reliable, so not for you. All computers will work with all peripherals (more or less), so there is no reason at all to buy HP, though there is nothing wrong with it (hardware-wise -- not talking about customer service). However, I most strongly suggest that you buy from a local "build-it" store in your area. Find out who puts together cheap systems for folks like you and get one from them ($300 tops!). It really doesn't matter what brand parts are in it. What matters is that he/she has a good reputation and will make sure it is working when it leaves the store. (And will help you with it if you think you have a problem.) Customer service hell from the major companies is not worth it.
We could give you hardware specs. The "2 Gbyte" RAM suggestion is overkill unless you are running Windows Vista, and you should not be running Windows Vista on a refurb computer anyway. If you have teenage gamers in your house, just tell them to play old games. The latest games ALL REQUIRE very expensive and very new hardware. The graphics cards alone for the 3D games cost more than the $300 we are suggesting you spend on this computer.
I am assuming here that you want a simple computer for yourself, for the net, for writing letters and simple office stuff. $300 is plenty for that computer. The only thing that might be missing from a refurb computer is a wireless card. Maybe you don't need wireless. If you do, it can be added for about $50. Otherwise, anything built since 2003 will have plenty of hard-drive, memory, and processor speed to run Windows XP and do what you want.
Happy computing!
Well...! here! Buy this.
by netsiu - 2/29/08 7:51 PM In reply to: Refurbished computers are just fine! by pcardouthttp://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3429054&Sku=A180-2300
Refurb/Recert'd 'puters
by jaytmoon - 2/29/08 7:53 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
They are some one else's cast offs for one reason or another. Take the time, build your own system form the ground up. You'll be far more satisfied with the end product since it's built to your spec's not some bozo from HP or Dell.
HP Canada = GOOD; HP US = BAD
by paquette_ - 2/29/08 8:03 PM In reply to: Refurb/Recert'd 'puters by jaytmoonI've bought a few refurbished HP products from Best Buy Canada and i have had NO problems. The items look BRAND new, not a single scratch! I recently bought a refurbished computer from the US and it looked used, banged up and some components didn't work. HP does not honour the warranty because i am located in Canada. Crock of crap if you ask me. But NO regrets buying HP Canada refurb products!
I love my "scratched and dented" Dell
by kittenbane - 2/29/08 7:59 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My faithful old computer finally bit it for good after a long, eight-year (and numerous upgrades) run, and just at a point where I had very little spare cash to spend. I was going to give in and just buy a brand new computer, when I noticed the "factory outlet" section on the Dell website. Instead of "a few hundred dollars less", I spend a few hundred, period. For a third of the brand new price, I selected a "scratched and dented" computer, figuring hey, looks don't matter. Not only does it run like a dream, the only scratch I found looked like it had been made by a kitten. I was offered most of the upgrade options at reasonable prices (didn't take any, but they were offered), full warranty, and it even came with a keyboard and mouse, whether I wanted them or not. The only thing I didn't like was the forced Vista install (I'd have much rather been given a choice), which is, coincidentally, the only thing about the computer that's given me any trouble at all.
One tip if you buy refurbished online: Dell (and other companies) are constantly updating with different offers. Occasionally, you'll find one that's exactly the same as another, yet a little lower priced (often when there's just a tiny bit more cosmetic damage). So be sure to check back every now and then before you make your purchase.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
