A question to all. there are quite a few computer savvy posters on this board, to read the responses so far.
Do people with better sense and a modicum of knowledge on computers ever buy used laptops or computers ?
Is this generally a bad idea ?
My first response would be to go with the favorite response of this board: "it depends" (sorry if I over generalized).
A person who used to live across the street from me rehabs older laptops, puts on some software and sells them for close to what new laptops sell for. By "rehab", I mean he does a fresh install of the operating system, makes sure everything is working, puts on some value added software such as an older version of MS Office. I do not know that he provides a specific warranty.
Other times, all one would get is the computer with just an older operating system.
What is the computer going to be used for? Just basic stuff or kids, the used computer may well do the job just fine. I might hold a reservation about some of the components such as the hard drive myself. I've had numerous hard drives (in desktops) fail at about the 5 year mark.
Myself, I have bought 2 factory refurbished desktops on the internet (at least one from Tigerdirect) and have had very good luck with them. Both machines are still fully functional with no significant issues (had to replace the ram on one of them recently). Both machines have served their purpose quite well.
I have sold old laptops (mine and for others) on eBay. Some working, some not so much.
I have been buying used laptops exclusively for my business. I buy 1 or 2 generations than newer models. They sell for 1/3 the new price. I use them for internet, email, MS Office, Microstation, GPS Post processing. Tht's basically it. I am still using Microstation J. One thing I notice is that older versions of oftware i.e. CAD, GPS, etc., run faster on newer machines. I never use latest CAD on latest laptops with latest OS. You loose the speed boost in the machine by the bloated software requirements.
I have bought factory refurbs (from the factory) & used (on eBay). Had good luck so far.
But - my reason for buying used was to be able to maintain using old software or something that would be painless if it broke like a print & scanner server.
Also, one time I bought a couple of used ones that matched my other office machines and no sooner had I received them than a power supply went out in one of my work stations. Scavenged a power supply and was back in business within the hour.
So pick your reasons for "new" machines and if it makes sense consider used or refurbs.
The five computers used are either re manufactured or built from aftermarket supplies. One 64bit Windows 7 Professional and four XP Professional.
My son is learning Carlson on a refitted Dell 820 Latitude laptop loaded with XP Professional and connected wireless to the database.
They work and do the job.
B-)
In my experience IT guys never buy used or refurbished.
I Buy Refurbished
My last two purchases were a laptop and a desktop.
I specifically bought older style computers to get com and parallel ports as well as older proven software. The laptop has had it's DVD replaced. The hard drive was also replaced but that was the easiest quickest way to rid it of a virulent virus.
Am now considering another refurbished desktop as an alternative to my separate hard disk backups.
I still use a sneaker network to move data.
Paul in PA
We have a small office network (10 PC's, server and a NAS) and use rebuilt computers for accounting, correspondence etc. So far they have performed flawlessly and are inexpensive enough to be considered disposable.
Below is a link.
https://refreshcomputers.net/?products
B-)
> In my experience IT guys never buy used or refurbished.
Of course not, they build their own. 😉
> A question to all. there are quite a few computer savvy posters on this board, to read the responses so far.
>
> Do people with better sense and a modicum of knowledge on computers ever buy used laptops or computers ?
> Is this generally a bad idea ?
I frequently buy used PCs and Laptops (several times a year). Always much cheaper, lots of good stuff to choose from.
If you need to use a shop to install software, hard disk, Ram, etc. maybe it is better for you to start at that shop for your purchase.
--- side note
The only time I had a problem was a HP factory refurbished one that died just days after the 6 month warranty expired. Official HP service center declared it "unsalvageable" (they said the motherboard was bad). I needed a replacement quick so I bought another.
Later I installed Linux on it, still works fine 5 or 6 years later.
I would be in that category, John. Had the cash to purchase the latest super-sonic model at the big retail store, instead i chose the local business, and I really couldn't fully utilize the latest and greatest.
Found a cool laptop with the touchscreen option and more power than I could use. Second hand laptop that the PC guy said was reloaded with OS.
Long story short; MSDOS window would briefly flash during startup making me raise an eyebrow and decide to let the anti-virus nuke the laptop.
Somehow in the process my proxy servers got nuked. One file that didn't make it was a "Not-A-Virus" file associated with Chrome, and a "Client.exe" which was what prompted the MSDOS window on startup.
Went exploring the laptop after this and found that Youcam 6.0 is impervious to being deleted, somehow I have a Bitcoin purse, and Skype has some incredible security privileges.
Appreciate the input.
another viable option, easier than many people think. "plug and play"
that way you can select only the best pieces rather than be surprised at the one-off no name parts you get in a "big name brand" box.
