Refurbished laptops

[Mafesto]

Need to replace a laptop, and I am a very uneducated buyer.

Here is what I do know. I'm still using the first one I bought for around $800 and have discarded 3 sub $500 units. So I am of the belief that you get what you pay for.

I am tempted by refurbs, but don't really know what that means.
Can anyone explain a refurb to the rest of us?

Can a guy get his current laptop refurbished?

 

[Mafesto]

My job as a salesman is to help the buyer understand the product they are buying.

I never feel that I am getting that service when I am buying laptops, notepads, phones etc.

Aaargh!

 

[NorthMNSledder]

We have bought a few refurbished laptops from Dell over the years. My understanding is that they are either customer returns for what ever reason or in the case of the Precision Laptops we bought they are company lease returns. Dell takes them back and whips the info that is on them, tests them and then reloads them with the factory software so when the new buyer turns on them they look and run like a new PC. The Precision's have an aluminum case so sometimes you could see some wear in them but it never effected performance. But we were able to buy higher end $2500 drafting Laptops and PC's for around a grand that way. We had an office of 30 people and I bet 25 were on refurbed Dell computers.

When it was time to replace my home PC last year I did the same thing and bought a refurbished Dell PC as I do some drafting and video work at home. I can't speak to other brands but Dell usually has a warranty for 2-3 years on their refurbished PC's and it's an onsite warranty so there really is very little risk in buying one.

 

[black z]

Just buy whatever is cheap on newegg.com with basic windows 10 and download open office instead of paying for Microsoft office.

I pieced together a desktop off newegg with 2 20" HD monitors, a mouse, laptop, and tower with upgraded graphics and video cards to run 3D modeling software for about $500

 

[NorthMNSledder]

Just buy whatever is cheap on newegg.com with basic windows 10 and download open office instead of paying for Microsoft office.

I pieced together a desktop off newegg with 2 20" HD monitors, a mouse, laptop, and tower with upgraded graphics and video cards to run 3D modeling software for about $500

Have you had good luck with Windows 10?

I tried it and would not personally put it on any computer I own. Even in the office we are still running Windows 7 pro on everything. Windows 10 is a crazy power hog and was just so slow.

 

[bholmlate]

Refurbished laptops are laptops that have been returned with a factory defect under warranty or one that did not meet the expectations of the first buyer for some reason. Once returned they are cleaned up and checked out to meet the companies standards for resale. If any parts have failed, they are replaced with new OEM parts. Once they have the laptop working again they sell it as refurbished. An example would be a Hard drive fails and the unit is returned under warranty. They throw another hard drive in and sell it as refurbished. You name every component in a laptop that can be replace and one or more of those parts have been replaced in a refurbished laptop. They are like used cars some are good deals and some are not. If your using is for important stuff personally i would tend to steer clear of used computers. You get what you pay for for sure with any computer equipment whether it be New or Used.

Unfortunately, computer equipment today has become the biggest throw-away commodity in our Country. At the consumer level you are better off throwing what you have away and buying newer equipment if the one you have is more then a year old just because things change so quickly

 

[black z]

Have you had good luck with Windows 10?

I tried it and would not personally put it on any computer I own. Even in the office we are still running Windows 7 pro on everything. Windows 10 is a crazy power hog and was just so slow.

I have had good luck with it, but I do prefer the windows 7 user interface due to the similarity to older OSs. I basically just do my bookkeeping, music, internet, and 3D modeling on this computer with 10. It's an ACER tower.

 

[black z]

Unfortunately, computer equipment today has become the biggest throw-away commodity in our Country. At the consumer level you are better off throwing what you have away and buying newer equipment if the one you have is more then a year old just because things change so quickly

Agreed, but there is a point where price point offers diminishing returns. Prime example...any apple product. My $400 Lenovo laptop is going strong after 5 years. Makes a big difference if you are diligent in keeping your computer free of viruses and bloat.

Anything that is important should be backed up to an external hard drive and/or a flash drive. Especially if you don't have good luck with computers lasting.

 

[FatDogX]

Currently running a Dell refurb. It's been working great for the last 4 years. I know several other people that have done the Dell refurb. and all of them have had no issues, but it's like anything else these days..........nothing is built to last!!!

 

[Pro-8250]

I have never owned a lap top. In 2007 I finally got fed up with viruses using windows. Upgraded to Mac and have not had one virus since. And no need to purchase anti-software protection. I do know the MacBook Air has no moving parts. Maybe my next purchase.

I know people who hate Apple, and others hate Windows.

Now if anyone can tell me what printer to buy, I am all ears!

 

[05900]

Used to replace printers yearly until I put an HP in the shop. This one is 4yrs old and still works

 

[Pro-8250]

We have had an HP Photosmart 7520 for just over three years now, and it's been a pain at times. The Epson before was a piece of $..t.