iPhone 3GS from AT&T. Free Shipping
Community Newsletter: Q&A: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers
- 2/29/08 3:23 PM
It all depends upon your needs
by tkainz - 3/1/08 5:44 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I live in a part of the country where I see folks with the newest and greatest gadgets, which includes computers, and those with the same pieces of equipment they've had for the past 10 or more years. I'm the "neighborhood" PC person goto (for better or worse) and when asked by some of my friends whether they should fix their older PC's or upgrade (considering both new or 'freshened' PCs) I invariably end up giving them the same answer - it all depends upon what you want to do with it. If upgrading your current PC or getting a refurbished one will meet you needs not only now but for the immediate few years then go for it - IF you feel comfortable with the source of the PC. With respects to warranty or no warranty - the price should relect that option: no warranty - much cheaper price - as it should be since you're assuming all of the risk. All that being said, however, I would hope that the "refurbished" PC would be a REAL good deal. My last PC purchase was an HP, brand new, with a 19" flat screen and all for less than $400. With that price point, The upgrades to the existing PC or purchasing a refurbished one would have to be $200 or less for me (at least) to consider them over the new option.
My refurbished desktop
by metrojim - 3/1/08 5:45 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Julianne i always brought new HP destops in the past i just rently (2 weeks ago) brought my first recertified HP destop and it came with alot for the cheap price i paid i was sceptical on buying a recertified pc but when i got it and hooked it up i was quite happy the only drawback was the wireless keyboard didnt work so i called HP and they solved the problem they sent me a replacement wireless keyboard and mouse so now i have an extra mouse. That was very nice of them so i am quite happy. Lots of luck James A
Refurbished or recertified computers
by Bee67 - 3/1/08 6:11 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have two refurbished computers, one Compaq 8000 and HP 7167 and both have been great.
i bought a refurbished dell notebook
by scarlet2007 - 3/1/08 6:15 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
i bought a refurbished high end ( at the time ) dell notebook about 6-7 years ago. i could not afford a new one. i saved about a $700 dollars. it still works although i have since upgragded. i think buying a refurbished computer is like buying a used car sometimes you get a gem and sometimes you may get a lemon. it depends on the dealer & a guarentee with the product is a must. do your homework before you buy it.
Dell Outlet
by loooney2ns - 3/1/08 6:16 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have had excellent luck with Dell's outlet over the years. The warranty is the same as new and you can save a bundle. I usually try to buy a scratch and dent computer if possible. These are new with a blemish. I bought an XPS M1210 laptop and it took me 2 days to find the scratch! Dell also emails coupons for additional discounts periodically.
I highly recommend buying a computer this way.
Do it!
by ericP3 - 3/1/08 6:22 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've had no problems from Dell or my last 2 from Apple. My current IMac I saved $500!. Its worked great for a year with no problems.
I will back up some of the others, beware of who you buy from. All 3 of mine (over 10 years) have been direct from Dell and Apple. great support from both.
Eric
Refurbs
by Ghent Wilson - 3/1/08 6:33 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have been buying refurbs for years with great success. As others say, only buy from known vendors.
The money that I have saved has many times covered the potential loss of a future failure. Also, if a reputable vendor, I will sometimes buy an extended "full replacement" warranty, depending on the cost.
I will continue to save the big bucks!
Go with your wallet
by welrdelr - 3/1/08 6:39 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Unless you are needing to do a lot of 3d animation and sound editing, a refurbished is just as good. Computers will last twenty years or more if they are cared for.
REfurbished Computers.
by dwyermaker - 3/1/08 6:42 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have bought or acquired several refurbished computers over the years, and haven't had ANY problems! Plus, they're much cheaper! I've been refurbishing laptops for some time, and any one with a sense of pride in their work will not make or give a bad product.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-4_102-0.html?forumID=7&threa dID=
by sg-max-mp11 - 3/1/08 6:50 AM In reply to: REfurbished Computers. by dwyermakermanual
refurbished HP in particular
by robert in gozo - 3/1/08 6:48 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Bought a refurbished HP s3123w Slimline PC, via Buy.com in January 2008. Great price, great machine and my only regret if I have one is that I did not wait for a more spiffed up refurbished slimline which came available about one month after I purchased this one.
Price for the product I purchased is about 60% off retail, Not worried about warranty. I trust HP. Have several HP products: 2 printers and a notebook. All of which I can get great forum and Tech Support on when ans if needed.
Have purchased other refurbished items and happy with them all: among others- Tom-Tom GPS, Sansa MP3 player etc. All are fine. Prices too low to mention, almost give away prices as I shop long and hard and plan and plan and when and when / if the item comes available I jump on and purchase it.
Robert
Your thoughts on refurbished or recertified computer
by CCLPNGRIFFEY - 3/1/08 6:49 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
YOU MAY FIND THAT IT IS FAR MORE CHEAPER TO BUILD A NEW COMPUTER FROM THE GROUND UP RATHER THAN PURCHASING A REFURBISHED OR RECERTIFIED COMPUTER. BY BUILDING YOUR OWN COMPUTER YOU CAN SELECT WHAT YOU WANT TO HAVE IN IT, SIZE, SPEED, MEMORY,CPU, DVD DRIVES, STORAGE (C DRIVE, D DRIVE, ETC) ETC. AND YOU CAN PURCHASE THE PARTS CHEAPER THAN IF YOU WERE TO GET A COMPUTER THAT HAS BEEN REBUILT AND HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW LONG IT WILL LAST OR WHAT PROBLEMS YOU WILL HAVE USING IT. BY BUILDING YOUR OWN YOU CAN HAVE WHAT EVER YOU WANT TO HAVE AND KNOW THAT ALL THE PARTS WILL WORK TOGETHER PLUS YOU WILL HAVE A SYSTEM THAT WILL LAST A LONG TIME AND CAN BE UPGRADED WHEN AND IF NEEDED. SO IN MY OPNION BUILD YOUR OWN COMPUTER FROM THE GROUND UP AND YOU WILL BE HAPPIER AND IT WILL BE CHEAPER.
refurbished computers
by bofadeez22 - 3/1/08 6:49 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Personaly if I was going to spend around a thousand dollars for a computer I would want it to be new. I understand that refurbished mean it has been gone through and brought to factory new. If you get a hugh break in price maybe. (I mean half off type stuff) That is just what I think.
Buy Refurb
by pjtremblay - 3/1/08 8:16 AM In reply to: refurbished computers by bofadeez22Every computer I have used/owned in the last five (no wait, ten)years is a refurb...IBM-Compaq-HP. That represents about 10 PCs between home and our four offices.
I find IBM the best, they are truly tanks. Certified refurbs here in Ottawa Canada cost between $269 and $299. This includes an XP or XP Pro (SP2) licence, P IV 3.0 configuration and 512 mg of ram, burner, and USB 2.0 and (sometimes)firewire. Cost of ownership for the boxes (CPUs) has been zilch. Mice, keyboards and monitors fail, but not the CPUs.
My son has an IBM cel 1.8 refurb which is almost outdtated so he'll get a new IBM refurb soon, but the old Celeron still works fine so I think I'll use his old machine to run tests on recent Linux distributions (3 or 4 variants of Ubuntu).
New is fine for those who have the money or who want the latest and greatest, but for 95% of what you'll do with your computer, a quality (and I emphasize quality) refurb will do just fine.
Good luck making your choice and thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Pierre
Ottawa, Canada
My best advice is ...
by Larry Launstein Jr - 3/1/08 6:50 AM In reply to: Your thoughts on refurbished or "recertified" computers by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Get a Mac. Seriously. They even have a refurbished computer program.
There is more up-front cost with a Mac, but a lot less headache and back end-cost. And definitely get the 3-year Apple Care warranty, whether you buy new or refurbished.
And you can run both Mac and Windows programs in one of these.
I have two HP printers (and one has a scanner) hooked up to my Mac Mini, and they run fine.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
