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

I have bought a lot of refurb electronics since I retired 12 years ago. VCRs, DVD players, video cams, and 5 computers. Some of these were for my own use, many were gifts to family. My favorite source is TigerDirect.com but have also used refurbdepot and heartland. All 3 stand behind their products and often offer an extended warranty at a reasonable price. I am currently using a refurb Gateway from TigerDirect with Vista home premium, a dual TV tuner, plenty of memory, disc, etc. It was much cheaper to buy that than to try to upgrade my 5 yr old HP Media Center PC. Further, my attempts to get HP to help make the computer I bought [new] from them work as advertised were totally frustrating. Some of the features never worked.

Some of the posts advised against refurb laptops. I bought 3 refurb Emerson laptops from TigerDirect last summer for my homeschooled granddaughters [10, 12, 14] at less than half the cost of similiar laptops new. One had a small problem which Tiger took care of.

I started buying refurb products almost 20 years ago when I worked for the Aerospace part of GE. I visited a GE office in El Paso that had been set up to handle customer returns of consumer electronics such as phones, radios, TVs, cassette players, etc. I learned that, industrywide, such products were rarely tested during manufacturer. GE had discovered that the failure rate was so low that it was cheaper to exchange the occasional defective product for a new one; they would then do some simple testing on the returned product. If it was easy to fix, they would do the repair and resell at half price or better. If the problem was more expensive, the unit was discarded.

I talked to TigerDirect reps before I bought refurb computers from them. They said that their return rate on refurbs was actually lower than on new products. [The infant mortality issue]. They also told me that if my refurb failed, to be sure to remove any extra memory, etc that I had installed because they would not even attempt to repair a failed refurb--they would simply send a replacement.

I think [but do not know for sure] that modern computer manufacturers often do system level test when they download software, etc. but doubt that they do much longterm burnin. Does anyone have any facts on that?

I've been purchasing "floor models" and displays items for as long as I can remember. Have not had one problem yet. Most of these items have the full manufacturer warranty (be sure to check) to put your mind at ease.

From a word processor to laptops to a 42" plasma tv (purchased 4 years ago and still going strong) to my entire kitchen (sears outlet!), I would wholeheartedly recommend purchasing a refurbished item.

Again... make sure it has the full manufacturer warranty!!!

I've purchased lots of refurbished equipment over the years. Laptops, desktops and miscellaneous peripherals have never given me problems.

I'm a bargain hunter, don't need to have bleeding edge specs, and I'm technically proficient enough to deal with most problems that come along, so I don't need to buy new ... with service agreement ... at full price.

I bought it directly from HP. Also, I don't think it would hurt to have other brands of scanners, printers or all-in-one's connected to your machine. HP probably has refurbished all-in-one's too.

Apple is a very reputable company that really has quality products. I own a refurbished iMac, refurbished wireless keyboard, refurbished wireless mighty mouse, and a refurbished ipod. They all work great and I've never had a problem with any of these items. HP also seems like a reputable company. So, if that's the type of PC that you prefer then I would say an HP refurbished would probably be just fine also.

I bought a refurbished HP desktop over 7 years ago. After 5 the CD ROM & DVD went. Other than that it is still working today. We have bought other refurbished computers and have had good luck.

Most likely these systems he sold you do not have a system restore disc and for him to copy the OS to give you would put him in a very illegal position to say the least. What you need to do is go purchase whatever operating system you are using so you have a copy. That way whenever you need to format and reinstall you will be able to do so. No need to be upset with him, he is trying to follow the law when it comes to copying an OS, just not legal to do.

What most people do not realize is you never actually own any software you purchase anyway. Read the fine print next time you install a software title. You purchased the right to use the software, in all actuality the software itself still belongs to the company you purchased it from. Most people do not understand this and think they can make any copies they wish of the software. Fact is, you only purchase the right to use a copy of it for your own needs. You can not make copies to give away, nor are you legally allowed to resale the software...legally that is.

RJ

I have purchased several refurbished computers in the past and I am quite pleased with the service, repair, extended warranty that was provided as a result of the purchase. In the future, I will look in to purchasing the same way. My last 2 computers were purchased from Apple over the web and delivered directily to my home.

Look at it this way, its like buying a used certified car.
Except the components are not as expensive to replace.
Most computers are built with 3rd party components.
So if refurbish. means they had to change out a faulty component is as good as getting another from the build line.
Generally most Big name manufacturer's will just do that.
DELL,HP and etc.. all customize computers as you wish by altering hardware configurations.
Therefore in my opinion I dont think a refurbish computer would be a bad buy, unless it was dropped!

Now before I reply to this let me say I am a UNIX lover, although MAC and Windows have their excellent uses also. Now...one thing to keep in mind, when you talk about MAC refurbished. MACs are a different breed of animal. Any MAC that is sold as refurbished goes through TONS of testing before it is ever released. Apple is probably one of the most strict companies when it comes to quality, this I know for a fact. So, that having been said...the original question was asked about a PC, can't really compare a refurbished MAC with a refurbished PC. PC companies simply do not and will not ever put their computers through all the testing Apple puts their MACs through.

NOTE TO PC LOVERS - disagree all you want, as I said I prefer UNIX myself. However, having worked for Apple at one time I know this as fact. Not saying MAC is better or worse than PC at all...just saying I do know how strict they are with their products and quality assurance.

If the hardware is refurb. by the factory (HP, Dell, Sony, ACER, etc) it comes out with a limited warranty, that is fine since you have some coverage. If the hardware is refurb. by someone that is not giving you warranty then you are totally uncover, that is a real problem.
Most of the so call refurb hardware is because someone returned hardware because it did not fit their needs or expectations, that said, the hardware is in good shape.
What makes the difference between new hardware and no new hardware is the warranty.

I have bought 2 from Tiger Direct And am still using them 3 years later.

I have built my own computers and made upgrades for employers and friends since 1998. I decided I didn't want to build another computer. I bought a refurbished Dell a year ago and saved about $700. Enough to buy a 22" widescreen monitor instead of the 19" monitor I had been looking at and an XBOX 360 (also refurbished). I mention all this because I am very happy the purchase. I used Dell's Outlet page. (HP has a refurb page, also.) It took me a couple of weeks of checking Dell's Outlet page to find a refurbished computer that matched my requirements. They are always adding and selling individual computers so the offerings change rapidly. I would recommend buying from the manufacturer, if possible. For sure get it from a reputable source that will still be there a year or two from now. Dell's customer service is really good. Back around the turn of the century they had really crappy customer service. That's changed and they really have good service and I happy with the quality of my computer. I don't work for Dell but I have maintained Dells on small business networks for the last 8 years and I've always liked them. I used a lot of Gateways, too. I wouldn't recommend a Gateway, myself. As far as refurbished products in general. I think they can be a good deal if you do your due diligence.

This is my reply to Julianne, it doen't so much matter whether you buy new or refurbished computer. The important things are, in my mind: 1. who is the manufacturer being considered. 2. Do they have a long standing reputation for excellence and warranty work. 3. What are the spec.s I want in my computer and what is the end use of my computer?

1. Companies I would consider would be: Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard.
Reason: Great warranties and tech assistance as well as online help.

Companies I would NOT consider: Acer, Compac, (there is another that escapes me at the moment). Reason: their systems are closed (non-upgradeable at a cheap price). Some of these companies sell a nice system if you don't want to add anything to them but usually, they use a proprietary motherboard or case that does not allow for expansion past what is already included in the pre-packaged deal.

I bought my first system from a specialty computer shop that built my system to my specs and although it was a great little fast system for a 286XT computer back in 1986, I couldn't readily upgrade the system without tremendous cost, well over new! Fast forward to 2005 and the way systems are built now, and you can have a custom system built that is pretty much off the shelf.

You simply have to know what peripherals you desire, the CPU speed and brand you want, what size hard drive will satisfy your requirements now and in the near future. The larger, the better! At the prices today, its a "no brainer" to buy the biggest hard drive you can get (500 GB).

Warranties are important after you load all your choice software on it and it begins to impact performance of your system because they take up so much room on your hard drive AND LOADING THEM CAN IMPACT YOUR SYSTEM'S PERFORMANCE, TOO.

Reputable companies have a responsibility to their good name to service you better. As far as buying an "out of date" system goes, every computer you buy is at least 6 months old even though it may be brand new out of the box. Technology moves that fast!

Concentrate on the CORE issues and buy from a reputable company whether it be "brand new" or refurbished. Refurbished computers and rebuilt to factory specifications so you won't have to worry, if you buy from a reputable comany. I usually build a "wish list" of my dream computer then shop for the closest system to it, at my price I am willing to spend.

just my 2 cents
ez

Hi Julianne!
My first computer (1998) was a refurbished IMB Desktop. I had that computer for 10 years, and it worked flawless for the entire period! I still have it, but it sits in a corner of the spare bedroom collecting dust. I loved the way it just worked day after day! I work on used computers for fun, and I believe Hewlitt Packard computers are among the easiest to work on. They are extremely reliable, and I would buy one for myself in a heart beat. Check Wal Mart, they have very affordable systems for less than most other retailers.
Stay away from Dell computers. They aren't what they used to be,and they're hard to work on.