What Is a Refurbished Computer?

A refurbished computer is typically one that has been returned to the manufacturer shortly after the initial purchase and has been restored to like-new condition and sent through additional quality-control procedures before being put back up for sale.

Affordable

Many manufacturers have been offering more refurbished computer models as the necessity of owning a computer has grown, but the desire to spend a fortune on a new model is not necessarily there. Refurbished models are offered at a substantial discount off the price of original models. Buying cheaper computers is one way to save a considerable amount of money without sacrificing quality.

Quality Control

It is probably a best bet to buy straight from the manufacturer when purchasing refurbished computer equipment. Just like certified pre-owned vehicles sold by dealerships, the manufacturer-sold refurbished equipment needs to meet certain quality-control requirements before being shipped back out. These tight quality-control measurements help to alleviate concerns about buying previously owned equipment as the computer is returned to basically new condition. In fact, if the initial computer was returned due to a small factory flaw, it is possible that the refurbished model is in better condition than it was when it was first shipped out. Rob Enderle, the principal tech analyst of the Enderle Group, states, "They take these machines through yet one more quality control pass, so it's actually been touched by more quality control people than a new machine has."

Warranty

Most manufacturers will offer warranties for their refurbished models so even if after the vigorous re-inspection something goes awry, the computer is still covered and can be returned. SmartMoney advises to ask for the stores return policy and to ask for the condition statement of the refurbished model in writing, should any issues arise. Warranties on refurbished computers should model those of new computers, ideally including at least one year of coverage with purchase. Be wary of a warranty offered via a third party or the option of extending the warranty via a third party.

Requirements

Although refurbished models can include the latest models and hardware, often the models are slightly outdated. it is important to make sure the computer can handle the tasks you plan on putting it through. Marc Itzkowitz of tech support site Support.com states, "As far as memory and processing power go, if you're just looking to do some word processing and basic web surfing then shoot for a computer that, at a bare minimum, includes 1.5 gigahertz (GHz) processor, 1 gigabyte (GB) of memory and 80 GB of hard disk space. Those who plan on doing more data-heavy applications, such as photo and video editing or downloading MP3s, should look for a computer with at least a 1.8 GHz dual-core processor, 2 GB of memory and a 120GB hard drive." Senior editor of CNet, Dan Ackerman, advises that as a rule of thumb, to never buy a computer that is more than two years old. Older machines just can't handle new applications as well.

Warnings

It is a good idea to avoid places such as eBay or craigslist.org when looking for computer models or at the very least proceed with extreme caution. The used computers sold on these sites are most likely sold by the individual owner of the computer and therefore typically do not go through quality-control measures. Ackerman advises to stick with third-party sites that have a strong track record such as TigerDirect.com or NewEgg.com to gain peace of mind.

References

• Refurbished Computer Technology
• SmartMoney
• TechSoup for Libraries

Resources

• NewEgg Recertified