Community Newsletter: Q&A: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers
- 2/29/08 3:23 PM
Refurbished is the only way 2 go!!!
by sparky4601 - 2/29/08 9:16 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Well I have bought well over 200 refurbished CPU's in the past 3 years for customers of mine. Out of over 200 1 was bad right out of the box. as for the other 199 They all have run flawlessly some of them are going over 3 years now. So Is there a difference between new and refurbished? Yes. You pay 300-500 more for the exact same computer new! Otherwise not a single thing! I have 3 refurbished desktops in my house and 2 refurbished laptops all have been upgraded several times but not for any reason but keeping up with the technology. Also every single person in my family has a refurbished and all my friends, and not one complaint from any of them or all of my customers. I usually upgrade ram right out of box but other than that they all have served me well putting thousands of extra$$$ in my pocket over the past few years. Tiger Direct sells some great ones for under $300. I don't think you can get a pc from best buy or CC for under 1200.All with the same thing inside!
Dan's thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers
by metalf8801 - 2/29/08 9:17 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
A refurbished can computer can be great if you don't need the newest thing and as long as it comes with a new hard drive and a 2gh+ signal core CPU or a dual core CPU as with all computers try to stay away from Celeron CPU in fact with older CPUs AMD is better then Intel. Also the OS should be Windows XP or a easy to use Linux distribution like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or gOS for that matter but you want to stay away from Vista which runs slow on lots of new computers or an even older version of windows such as Windows 2000, ME, 9x which are no longer supported. A good reason to buy a refurbished computer is that way you know for sure that computer didn't end up in a landfill.
Good deal
by cesareDH - 2/29/08 9:20 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
A "recertified" machine has passed inspection twice instead of only once like a new one. Many times TigerDirect has good deals on refurbished machines. I've purchased 2 through them and have been satisfied with my purchases.
You'll be fine with a refurbished HP
by zootle - 2/29/08 9:23 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Since you seem to like the HP brand, I see no compelling reason to shop around. At the HP Shopping web site, click the 'Outlet Center' link in the lower left, which explains what 'refurbished' means at HP.
I recently had problems with the video card in a new HP desktop, and their service was excellent. I called (granted, you have to navigate the dreaded voice menu first, but it took less than 5 minutes) and after a brief discussion, HP was going to send me a new video card. I could have installed it myself, but I have other computers and didn't want to mess with it, so I told them I wasn't able to install it myself. The next day I received a shipping box and pre-paid FedEx label. FedEx picked it up on Feb 7th. I got an email from HP with my case # and a link to track the package or the progress of service. The link said estimated return date of Feb 20th. So, I was pleasantly surprised when my system arrived on the 12th. Unfortunately, I still have an issue with the video. I called HP again, and the next day 3 packages arrived, containing new memory modules and another new video card.
I was told a tech would arrive on the 16th to install these components. I picked the time, 1-5 pm, and on the appointed day, I got a call at 12:30 pm from the tech, asking if I preferred he came right at 1 pm or closer to 5 pm. I said 1 pm was fine, and he showed up at 1 on the nose. In less than an hour he had everything installed, left me some paperwork, and took the old components with him. My system has been fine since then (it has an HD DVD / Blu-ray drive, and it wasn't playing nice with the video card).
Throughout this experience, HP customer service was prompt, professional and courteous.
So, if you should happen to have an issue with your refurbished HP, I'm confident you will be able to resolve it to your satisfaction.
Have fun shopping for your 'new' computer.
refurbished pc's
by wemeto1 - 2/29/08 9:23 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've bought 5 or 6 over the past 10-12 years, and have had very good luck
with them. I got them all from tigerdirect.com.
Refurbished vs new
by emmane - 2/29/08 9:23 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have personally had three HP computers. The first two were refurbished from HP. I always bought the service contracts, and if I had any problems HP would handle it. My first computers floppy quit after about a year, and HP sent a new one within a few days. My son now has it. My second computer was also a refurbished from HP. The only reason I bought it was because I wanted xp. HP helped me through SP1 and SP2. They also have a wonderful web site with information that is really helpful if you know how to sort through all the information they provide. My daughter and grandchildren now have that computer, as I bought a custom to order two years ago, and got all the bells and whistles I always wanted. This machine has it all. I personally love HP. Buy the refurbished, and save up for the computer you always wanted. Buy the service contract just in case. I really don't think you'll be disapointed.
stay away from Gateway refurbs!
by Lvanett - 2/29/08 9:23 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I absolutely and wholeheartedly do not recommend getting a refurbished puter. I bought one from Gateway many years ago and it came with a TEN DAY return policy. Ten days... as in the day it left their warehouse counted as day one.
In my case, by the time I got the refurb it was Day four of the "ten day" period. First the DVD-Rom wouldn't work right; I'd put in a store bought DVD and it wouldn't even recognize them, and if it did, produced a garbled picture. After calling their tech support numerous times and getting someone from India (or similar), on the third day I had the puter, day seven of the return period, I began having problems with it booting up and saying there was an error in (I think) the Bios. At that point I realized I might as well return it because I still couldn't get the DVD-Rom to work, and was thoroughly fed up with techies I could barely understand that weren't able to help much. It cost about $30 or so I think to send it back to them....I don't remember if I was reimbursed for it or not, but after that experience I told Gateway I would never buy a puter from them again, new or used.
I now have a Dell desktop I bought shortly after the ordeal with Gateway, and I've been using it for 6 years now with almost no problems. I've also bought a used Dell Laptop from eBay, and had no problems with it either. So I would consider getting USED but not refurbished Dell and I'd avoid getting a Gateway.
Remark
by alexandrou - 2/29/08 9:25 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My personal experiences with refurbished or re-certified computers having a warranty have been pretty good, make sure you have a warranty and that the parts the computer was put together with are name brand parts, and you should be in business... Alex
HP Computers
by iogt007 - 2/29/08 9:26 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I wouldn't buy any other brand unless there was a tremendous price difference. To me, HP is the best! What makes it better is their customer support. I had compaq computer that was out of warranty for 2 years and was able to get online help with a solution. They are very curteous and knowledgeable. Compare that with most other brands that you have to call and talk to someone in India who knows less about the problem than you do. Not to mention, if you are out of warranty you have to pay for the call. HP has free online support. I also disagree with some people who stated that HP is an expensive proprietory replacement of hardware. The HP I have now is a refurbished unit and have had it for 3 years with only one problem when the power supply quit on me. I went to Fry's electronics and picked up an Antec 550 watt power supply for $70 and haven't had a problem since. I don't buy warranties since I can fix it cheaper and faster by myself with aftermarket parts that are new and last longer. Warranties only use refurbished parts that half the time are no good the first time they install them so you have to wait another week to order another part. As a matter of fact, the warranty on my last HP was from Sears and the replacement computer came with the hardrive unplugged and had to wait for another one that had to come from Florida. I live in california. I was without a computer for 2 months.
cost
by bhorn1 - 2/29/08 9:36 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I would never buy refurbished computer hardware for two reasons. 1. In most cases the price is far to close to actually buying a new one. 2. Over the years I have had enough problems with new Hardware and I am sure that would be worse with Refurbished and of course the Warranty would be far shorter if in case there was a Warranty.
Reburbished Same as New
by ukenuke - 2/29/08 9:39 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I buy Dell refurbished. There is absolutely no difference between refurbished and new. Same warranty. Never noticed any defects. Zero. None. Nada. In fact, I assume that refurbished machines have a more detailed checkout than a new one.
2 thumbs up!
by TJRatfink - 2/29/08 9:42 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My last two units (not that it matters but both were HP) have been "refurbs" and have performed as well as new ones, not to mention saved me plenty of money as well! The only thing some might find a drawback is, the warranty is only 90 days as opposed to 1 year on a new one. In defense of that, neither of mine had warranty issues within either time frame so that never entered the picture. Buy refurbs and have no fear!
No refurbished HP desktop
by hleusch - 2/29/08 9:43 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I bought a refurbished HP desktop from Frys. It was the only way to get a new computer with XP instead of Vista installed. It was the top of the class microprocessor with 3 Gb of memory. After transferring all my SW it was so sluggish that even hovering over the start button took up to 3min to recognize it and another 2 min to bring up the pull down menu. the same happened with every button on the bottom line, like quick start menu or minimized programs. HP technical support was insulting (somewhere in India, not even able to understand English and then telling me that my memory is not compatible with my operating system, memory with bad Karma). I also had purchase Frys performance guarantee but when I called I was told that that was a problem of my software without even asking any specific questions or running any tests. Conclusion: Never rely on any technical support but just rely on a money back garantee and give it back at the first sign of trouble.
refurbished pc
by pdde2006 - 2/29/08 9:46 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have purchased 2 refurbished IBM Thinkpads and have been well satisfied. Generally a used machine will have more "bells and whistles" that were added after the original purchase.
New machines are no longer very expensive, however, and if your needs are fairly basic you can't go wrong by visiting the "geek squad".
HP or another Brand
by Phạm Văn Quynh - 2/29/08 9:50 PM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I think a destop with HP brand is good idea. I don't have many experiences in this area. So you should have some ideas of another people.
Good luck and happiness!
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