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

But I suspect that the "for a few hundred more" is what Julianne is trying to avoid.

Even 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.

"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.

Dell 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.

Definitely, 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.

Usally the motherboard, power supply, case are.

Tyhere's something called cannibalizing parts, learn how to do this.

If you don't know how to custom build a computer and must purchase a store shelf type computer I'd recommend a computer built BEFORE the most crappy piece of junk of an OS called Windows Vista was released. Believe me it doesn't matter how great the hardware is inside your computer when you have an OS that will crash or hog the life out of the computer's resources and memory. With a custom built PC you can decide which OS to have installed inside of your PC. But many store shelf computers Today are optimized for Windows Vista. Meaning if you want to go back to XP you may have to flash the BIOS (This cam make your computer into a paperweight if your not tech savy). Ask and MAKE SURE it doesn't have Vista on it. It should not matter much unless your a business person as to if the PC has the Home version of XP or Pro. Just as long as you have XP your safe. If your an unfortunate victim of Microsoft's ploy to force everyone to use Windows Vista, simply take the computer to a qualified tech (who hates Vista) to have them reformat your computer with Windows XP instead. You'll expect to spend $200 to have your computer repaired to working condition with windows XP (drivers and all). Plus if you love music and movies I suggest you get the biggest HDD and most RAM you can afford. My custom built computer has 2 GB RAM and a 400 GB internal HDD. Plus I've purchased an additional 400 GB external HDD before I went and had this machine biult so I can copy and share Music and Movies easily with friends. Asus makes great motherboards and for the sound card I'd recommend a 5.1 channel sound card (like the Soundblaster X-Fi Elite Pro). Many people are selling Used computers with XP on it for more than they've paid for them new since Vista is junk and many people will pay any price to have XP on their computers instead. So shop around for a good deal on a recertified computer with XP.

I ran into the same problem. I bought another Case, one with lots of room for expansion, and migrated to it, problem solved.

I have found that overstock.com has GREAT prices if you are not in a hurry, just check it out every day until they have what you want at the price you want to pay. I have found 2 cases there, one was an ALIEN and the other a THERMALTAKE, both are TOP SHELF cases with a bunch of room, and I was sure to buy cases that included the Power Source. I paid $70.00 for one and $105.00 for the other, a bargain for sure and no more restrictions on expansion.

I agree with the reputable seller part as well. I have been buying Dell refurb's for over 10 years and have received better service from them than with new machines. They have the same warranty and are much cheaper. Also, when buying from the Dell Outlet, always call before you buy. I find the machine I want, hold it in my cart and then call to see if the salesman can find me a better box for a better price. Signing up with a dell account and waiting for a good coupon is also an additional money saver. Laptops or desktops, I get great service from both. Dells are also easy to fix yourself with OTC parts, memory etc. HP is very proprietary and their software / drivers are much more intrusive and robust than necessary. Try the Dell Outlet!

I agree with a previous post. I have bought a refurbished desk top computer which worked like a charm and I saved a lot of money with it.

I have also bought a refurbished lap-top that gave me nothing but trouble. I finally gave the lap-top away to a geek who thought he could save it. I hope so.

Both machines were from well-recognized companies.

Adios. melking

I just bought a dv9334us hp notebook and a sl4278n 42 " media LCD tv
is there anything I can do, to get rid of these "processes". I have a Sony vaio desktop and that takes forever just to load all the start-up processes.
thanks

Part of what fasteddie565 replied was:

>Dells are also easy to fix yourself with OTC parts, memory etc. HP is very proprietary and their software / drivers are much more intrusive and robust than necessary.

While it is true that HP is more proprietory than Dell, it is also true that Dell is not non-proprietory. Have you ever connected an off-the-shelf power supply to a Dell motherboard? dell makes their own motherboards and power supplies. They switch two wires on the otherwise standard connector and therein lies a deadly problem. Connect an off-the-shelf power supply to a Dell motherboard and POOF, the mobo is FRIED!

This leads to one very important reason why I prefer Gateway systems: There are no such completely proprietory hardware components in them.

Dennis C.,MCSA

There is plenty of evidence that what I said is, or at least used to be, true. This link shows one of many threads in Dell Forum about the matter.

<http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_other&message.id=61168&c=us&l=en&cs=&s=gen>

Other examples include the following:
<http://www.theinquirer.net/en/inquirer/news/2002/04/19/dell-makes-statement-on-pc-standards>
<http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26126>

An adapter to make an off-the-shelf ATX power supply work with a Dell ATX board can be found at
<http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/std/sku=dellconverter>

The later ATX boards from Dell got away from this, so I hear, but I don't know if their current BTX-like boards can use off-the-shelf power supplies or not.

Dennis C.