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

Based on recent experiences, my thoughts are not good. I work for a mid sized corporation that decided to try going "cheap" a few years ago. My assistant and I, who both work on spreadsheets and internet downloads on a constant basis were both long overdue for new computers. One day, the company tech guys wheeled in two apparently "new" DELL computers. We were happy campers, until we experienced problems with downloads. I checked the specs, and found they had absolutely minimal RAM memory. I got the techs back, and had them install considerably more memory, and we were back in business. While checking the computers out, I found that although they appeared new, they were, in fact, refurbished. About 7 months later, my assistant began to have problems booting up her computer in the morning when it was "cold". I advised the techs that I thought her power supply was the problem, and was not going to last long. Two weeks later, it burned out, and they replaced it with a new one. 6 months later, her computer started flashing "thermal overload" warnings, and shutting down. About that time, my computer started having boot up problems. After replacing more parts, they junked her refurbished Dell, and replaced it with a computer that was actually new. The company's "refurb" experiment was over- there were just far too many problems. My computer is now on it's second power supply, and I have been promised a new computer if there are any more problems.

Pakistan is a developing country. Majority of systems users prefer used systems that have been brought into the country. They working pretty fine, rather better than non branded systems. These used systems are branded.

I bought two of these - one was IBM PII and then it was COMPAQ PIII.

They are running great. No problems. I can perform all tasks. Wireless, Networking, AutoCAD, STAADPro, Other engineering software, internet, acceptable speeds, DSL connections, not very high tech games (I do not play but my kids do).
If I increase the RAM from 64 to 128 or 256, my PII IBM will still work.

Yes, I would not prefer Laptops since you never know how it has been used and parts are pretty expensive. But I can go for a PII laptop since it will serve my purpose and will be much lower in price.

But in Pakistan, as we all know you find most software pirated (I use licensed). So there is no problem with any software installations. You might find free rides on software on net which of course is illegal to do but to be honest, people do it.

So if you want to serve your purpose only and are not to become a hi tec person, go for a used one from a dependable supplier.

Hope this helps.

Frankly, I purchased a "refurbished" Dell computer approximately 6 years ago, and believe it or not, it still had a warranty on it from a rather sizeable corporation that had previously owned it. I kept that warranty until it ran out 4 years ago, then gave it to my daughter prior to her junior and senior years in High School....she purchased a laptop when she started College in 2005. The computer is still in circulation within the family. Never had a serious problem with it.
I say go for it, but be aware that Dell does stand behind its products whereas HP and Compaq do not. Dell goes the extra mile.

Sue S, EMT

hp computers are not the best. their computers are integrated and thereforoe can't be completely upgraded over time and will not last long because of this. i do like other hp products as well, scanners, printers, etc. but i won't go near an hp computer for anything. their peripherals (scanners, printers, etc) will work with any compatible computer, you just need to install the drivers, which are available for free from their website. my suggestion, go with a dell, gateway, or other computer that can be upgraded over time and often cost less than the hp equivalents.

Buying a used computer is much cheaper than buying a new computer. It's even cheaper than building your own. First check out the warranty if available. Most builders don't take time and throw machines together and that may lead to problems further along. Usually if your computer works fine for three weeks then it should last. Check your temperatures and make sure everything is running mildly warm.

Now for HP, I would stay far away from them. Before CompUSA closed I use to work on computers a lot and of all the computers, we got mostly HP and APPLE computers. You see HP uses really cheap parts. Their laptops are flimsy and their HINGES break VERY easily. I also noticed that we had a whole bunch of returned HP desktops with MEMORY errors. Yes the memory was bad out of the box. If your looking for a High quality Fast Cheap Desktop get an ACER.

Also with custom or used computers you stay away from all the advertisements pre-loaded on your system (hp is one of the worst) Hp also has VERY BAD DRIVERS.

I hope this helps.

Preston
CCNA, A+

Well Julianne, my advice to you would be to build a PC from scratch- provided you know what internal components you will need. You can order from the HP website or call them directly, and still order a brand new- current or future driven computer- say without the operating system i.e. Windows Vista or XP, and say, goto Wal-Mart, or any other retailer and seperately purchase the software you want- so it's not pre- loaded and you won't end up paying for your O.S. plus demo versions of software you don't want or need- in that respect.

That is what I would do, especially if you're a power user, gamer, etc... and just think, you could get it cheaper and just buy an older, yet current OS such as XP, which I highly recommend over Vista, being that vista prompts you on your every move, and crashes more often due to far more user interaction with background programs, plus XP is cheaper and not as graphics intensive as Vista, henceforth, faster to you, noticeably.

Hope this helps.

I agree with you on everything. I purchase all my desktops now as refurbished from Dell and only Dell.

New they put together everything and ship it out to you. Refurbished the computer has gone completely over and tested. I have had no problems but I do intend to buy high end systems. In most cases you get them cheaper then new and certainly just as good.

One exception is a laptop XPS (high end) new. It is a little over 3 three years and I have never had a problem with this laptop. I use it at work so it gets used every day.

With Dell computers at least my high end ones you get all the disks. Hp didn't do that.

I want a computer that lasts as I then hand them down to my relatives. I still have my Win98se desktop purchased in late 1995. I keep this computer because of the many Dos computer games I have and play.

Go Dell

Joan

First do you need a new monitor. Buying just the PC instead it will save you money. Also, what is the current configuration of your machine. You maybe able to upgrade the RAM most time systems come with the 512MB from HP.

I can only suggest this. Any refurbished system has already proven it can do one thing just great, fail! Could you draw an analogy with divorced men? Do the right and long-term best thing, take a long look at what you want, don't jump into any system without first using one like it, and most importantly, buy the best parts, whether in a system or OEM. They will save you a world of pain, cheap parts will fail soon and always at the worst time. No magic, you get what you pay for and this applies especially with refurbs.

I bought a Dell Dimension E521 Mini-Tower: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4000+ (2.1 GHz),2000 mb memory, Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium,$299,free shipping 1 year ago also,2 years ago i bought a dell e1405 1.66mgz,512mb memory dual core, xp windows $439,free shipping,and my niece in college just got Genuine Windows Vista Home Premimum, 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz (2 DIMMs),250 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM),ATI RADEON Xpress1270 HyperMemory, Microsoft Works 8.5 with MS Office Software,Integrated 2.0 Mega Pixel Web Camera,9 Cell Primary Battery
Inspiron 1521 Laptop: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TK-55 (2.3GHz)
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Network Interface Card 1390 Wireless Card
System ColorJet Black
Laptop Screen15.4 WXGA Laptop Screen Display with TrueLife
all this for $439 free shipping Certified Refurbished

I have had great luck with Outlet computers (name brand) better than this new one from another Vendor. If you are mission critical like me the savings can pay for the multi-year on-site service I require and still come out the same or cheaper than "new". So if you want something like the warranty I would be buying anyway, what's the difference? It's still guaranteed. I have one 5 yr. old "outer" computer still working everyday (it crashes less than this new one that was "new in box")

I think old PC's don't do justice to all of the new features that sites have such as <a href="www.JustExpressing.com">Ajax, extensive video, music features, social networking demands etc - you can see it on this site for example </a>. They just don't have the horsepower to take care of it. And now DVD's are going to be on line, so it's tough for an old computer to handle the video processing. So, a new computer would mean no DVD player, do DVD's etc. and that's a saving !

MY OPINION FOR ANY REFURBISHED OR "RECERTIFIED" COMPUTERS...WILL BE DELL OR IBM...BECAUSE HP IS BEST WHEN YOU GET THE NEW ONE....BUT WHEN THE TIME COME FOR REFURBISHED IBM OR DELL ARE STILL CAPABLE TO PERFORM BEST AT SECOND HANDS, WHEREAS HP DON'T,BECAUSE OF MANY HARDWARE FAILURE...EVEN FEW YEARS BACK WHEN PRICE WHERE HIGH FOR PC I PREFER TO BUY DELL PC...AND THEY PERFORM THIER BEST NO HARDWARE PROBLEMS FOR 2 YEARS IF YOU DO USE DISK UTILITY AND VICE VERSA...BUT IF YOU WANTS TO HAVE LATEST OPERATING SYSTEM AND GAMES TO PLAY...IT WOULD BE BETTER TO WAIT LITTLE BIT...AFTER YOU GET ENOUGH MONEY YOU CAN BUY HP PC WHICH IS AROUND US $1000...

It doesn't matter what you call you computer whether it be "new" , "re certified" whatever. I wouldn't suggest a particular brand. The Key is what do you use it it for and is the computer capable of handling it. Specs specs specs is what it's all about. I have dealt with dells, compaqs, HP, Gateways, you name it. It's what is inside the tower that counts. Know what you need and get it whether it's new or not.

Do your homework. My advice is always, first decide what software you want to run, -then- buy the best platform to run it, with economy being one consideration. In other words, if you want to hunt with 7mm Mag, it's pointless to shop for handguns.

Also, the refurb market can run in streaks. The platform you really want may not be available in the refurb market at a given time. Don't get a great deal, then even if it works perfectly, regret some inferior feature every time you power up because it's not right for you.

FWIW, and this is just me talking, we have had awful luck with HP products. My daughter bought an HP desktop a few years ago, she received two replacements in a month for bad motherboards, and the third quit working after the warranty expired. I bought an all-in-one printer a couple years ago, installation was a f-ing nightmare, it never worked right, and a thumb-sized ink cartridge with almost no ink in it cost $40 at the discount stores. Never again.

My vintage IBM Thinkpad T40 is my favorite (!). I bought it refurbished with a new hard disk and XP Pro. Small and light, and IBM really makes a -great- keyboard. This is the most generic computer I own. It has never failed to install and run new software on the first try, and everything works as advertised, even wireless networking (this is certainly not true of our three Dell laptops). The 1080-dot screen is pretty measly by today's standards, but I only use it as a citrix workstation for the server at work, for which it is adequate. It does what I want it for, and at $400 from KEH (in 2005), a great deal.