Buy Refurbished Computers
This frustration makes it tough to stay on top of the latest trends without going broke (and mad), which is where refurbished electronics come to the table. Refurbishment offers the newest tech at reduced prices, making refurbished electronics a pathway for tech hobbyists to keep up with the latest offerings without breaking the bank. When buying refurbished PCs and other electronics, there is a lot of confusion and several big misconceptions to address.
buy refurbished computers
As for the actual meaning of refurbished, the term is generally used to denote a product that has been returned, inspected, repaired if necessary, and then resold. In the case of refurbished computers and mobile devices, the device also has its data wiped and is restored back to factory settings.
Before even getting into the details about the different elements of refurbished electronics, it is worth diving into why someone would consider purchasing a refurb unit. Given the opportunity, with an unlimited budget, I have no doubt everyone would prefer to have the latest, brand-new tech as soon as it comes out each and every time.
So from personal experience, here is the truth about the myths surrounding refurbished products. When new products come off the line, they are rarely individually tested. They get packaged and sent out to be sold as quickly as possible. Sure, you have QA checks per batch and random sample inspections, but the potential chance for a dud is certainly present with any new electronic device.
To become certified as a MAR, products and refurbishers must adhere to a strict policy regarding the asset collection, data wiping, and loading of a valid version of the Microsoft OS onto a refurbished desktop or notebook before it is sold to the customer. Additionally, MAR products come with a Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (C.O.A.) label slapped on the machine, letting you know you have a genuine product with the Microsoft name backing it up immediately. We had some hands-on time with MAR machines from Arrow Electronics in the past and found them to work as well as any new computer.
I've been writing about computers, the internet, and technology professionally for 30 years, more than half of that time with PCMag. I run several special projects including the Readers' Choice and Business Choice surveys, and yearly coverage of the Fastest ISPs and Best Gaming ISPs. I work from my home, and did it long before pandemics made it cool.
The problem is that refurbished products had a life before they came to you. Maybe it was a short existence with a careful original owner, but maybe not. What you do know is that the product was sent back, and it was given an overhaul to make it workable again or at least was checked to make sure it operated correctly.
That might mean the item was never used. It could also mean that the product was refurbished to that state after a hard life. Maybe a scratched or cracked screen was replaced, for example. It's worth knowing exactly what "like new" means, if you can find out.
It takes a while to notice problems in some products. You want at least a month's window for returns (not much to ask for, when companies selling giant mattresses give you 100 days). That should go for refurbished products as well. If you can't get at least two weeks to futz with a product with the option to return it at no cost, don't bother. Many will say "sale final," and you don't want that (unless the savings are truly astronomical).
Buying refurbished goods is exactly the kind of transaction in which you should read the fine print. When you receive the product, do a thorough inspection the minute you open it. You might want to take advantage of that return policy right away.
Some of those purchases might be OK if you trust the company behind the renewal of the product. Conversely, you should buy refurbished products only from some companies, because they're too expensive when new (cough, Apple(Opens in a new window), cough).
Before you buy a refurbished product, especially something high-end such as a smartphone or laptop, call your credit card company to be sure it has your back. When you make a purchase, keep the receipt and a copy of the original or refurb warranty. You may need repair estimates to fix a device in order to file a claim.
No. Do some price comparison. When you find a cheap refurbished item, go to another refurb site and see if the same or similar model is available for even less. That said, don't let price dictate everything. Sometimes you might trust a site or vendor enough to spend a bit more.
Here's a quick list of tech vendors that offer some of the best refurbished-product programs. If your favorite vendor isn't on this list, just Google its name along with "refurbished," and you're likely to find the goods.
New computers typically include a 1-year factory warranty as standard, with the option to purchase additional extended warranties with up to 3 years of coverage at most retailers. Blair Tech offers a standard 30-day warranty and return policy, but our extended warranties are much more affordable than competitors. 1 year is available for just $20, 3-years is only $75, and 5-years is only $125.
The 3- and 5-year warranty options also include 60-day returns instead of the standard 30, a return period very rare among even new system retailers, but certainly not with any other company selling refurbished desktops or laptops. Very few manufacturers or retailers offer 5-year extended warranties, and Blair Tech is happy to be one of those few.
Certified Refurbished PC's also often contain a combination of both used and new components. Many of the most common failure points of computers (such as hard disk or solid-state storage and memory) are often replaced with new components during the refurbishment process, to ensure long-term reliability and reduce maintenance costs. These are things that are taken into greater consideration with a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher like Blair Tech than with typical resellers and non-certified refurbishers.
When desktop computers, laptops, and most electronic devices start to slow down and become obsolete, Sadoff can help you get the most return on investment. Also referred to as IT Asset Remarketing, ITAD professionals assess the value and condition of your equipment to determine the appropriate next steps. They evaluate the device(s) and offer a price based on the condition of the equipment, make, model, configuration, memory, and current market value of the device or its materials and components.
The typical Evaris refurbished computer contains a brand new 500gb SSD, 8Gb of RAM and an Intel i5 processor making it a great specification for standard office computers. The main difference between refurbished computers and their brand new counterparts is the generation of processor. Whereas new machines contain the latest generation of processors our refurbished machines are often two or three generations behind.
There are some environments and/or applications where buying refurbished makes more sense both commercially and practically. Schools machines for example need to be able to withstand heavy handed treatment from pretty unforgiving children. In our experience as a supplier to many schools, colleges and universities, PCs and laptops are subjected to substantial physical abuse and warranty claims for repairs or replacements are common. It makes little sense therefore to pay a premium for cosmetically pristine computers that are likely to be bashed about from day one. Similar principles would apply for field workers or computers being deployed outside of the office such as factory floors for example.
Buying refurbished ticks the eco-friendly box for a number of important reasons. By extending the life of a computer, you are helping reduce environmental waste as well as reducing the number of new machines that have to be manufactured. Many of the electronic components used are rare, expensive and environmentally toxic. They can take hundreds of years to decompose as well so ethically, we ought to do everything possible to extend their usage and recycle them to keep them out of landfill and protect our planet. Finally, buying refurbished can help you meet your Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) obligations which govern how businesses deal with safe disposal of electronic devices and components.
The mining of core minerals alone produces a significant amount of water pollution. The manufacturing process sends a ton of pollution into our air and water as well. In addition, many of the components used to make computers and other electronics are toxic, leading to polluted soil and water when they sit in a landfill.
Buying refurbished helps reduce e-waste by keeping older electronics out of the landfill. Even better, when computers and other devices are refurbished, they are repaired to meet manufacturer standards and reconditioned to be nearly as good as new, giving old electronics a few more years of life.
Refurbished computers and other electronic devices reuse old parts, reducing the energy consumption needed to manufacture new ones. Because of this, the carbon footprint of these devices is significantly lower.
We offer a wide range of refurbished devices, including smartphones, computers, flat screen TVs, and more. Visit one of our retail locations or shop online to browse our selection of high-quality refurbished electronics.
Bottom line: In my opinion, refurbished computers can be good deals if the savings are decent when compared to the prices of new machines. Just make sure you buy from a reputable company that offers at least a 90 day warranty or guarantee. 041b061a72