I'm considering getting a laptop for the first time.
I have a desktop PC but I want something a bit more than a tablet and with a Windows 10 OS.
These stream laptops I've seen only have 32gb hard drive storage and I'm looking for something with more capacity.
How wise is it to buy a refurbished laptop?
Can they last a long time?
Any help will be appreciated,
James
I think refurbished laptops are perfectly fine and are often like-new. You could look at getting a business laptop such as a Lenovo T440s or T450s for cheaper as businesses will not want to make a huge profit, they just want it gone.
Right, there are a large number of Refurbished Notebooks available, generally are off-lease and the leasing company makes them available at good prices. I got a Dell Latitude D810 about 12 years ago and it worked until Win10 came out, couldn't deal with the video adapter on the motherboard.
Also note there are other situations that produce Refurbished items. One is if they have a serial number and have been sold that number goes in a computer. If the device is returned within the specified time it cannot be sold again as new. I got a real nice HP LaserJet for $200 off Retail some years ago and the box had never been opened. This type of Refurbished usually carries the same warranty as if new.
When purchasing a refurbished laptop these may be some things to consider:
1) Hardware:
a) Does the computer come with the latest technology to connect to the internet by both wired and wireless or will you have to use slower technology
b) Does the notebook come with a HD or SSD. If HD does it come with bad sectors or problems on SMART testing. If SSD what is the estimated remaining lifespan?
c) Does the notebook come single or dual graphics? This may impact battery life whether using igpu versus dGPU.
d) Do you need to connect additional monitors? This may impact whether you want IGPU versus dGPU.
e) What types of replacement batteries are available and what are their cost?
f) What type of memory is available ddr3 or ddr4? EEC memory on some notebooks is an option.
g) Do you need thunderbolt, DP, or mDP ports, or the ability to connect to a docking station?
2) Software
a) Some computers come with a crack Windows operating system. Do you have the option to check that it is properly licensed and activated?
b) Check the computer manufacturers website to see whether drivers are or are not being actively updated
c) Many computer manufacturers' relied on only Windows updates after Spectre and Meltdown. Microsoft recommended firmware updates so these computer's may only have partial security updates. Check to see that there were bios upgrades after January 2018.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ectre-meltdown
Last edited by zbook; 12 May 2018 at 23:35.
And you might try GSA sales to, depending on where you're located: Surplus Personal Property Sales
The GOV sales a lot of surplus and some of it is good and some is not. But it is usually cheap enough you can buy two or three and have spare parts.
I fully agree with this statement. The laptop I'm using right now is a refurbished HP business Ultrabook that I snagged on eBay for $265 shipped from a local company. It was about a year old when I bought it and it looked almost brand new. So far, it has worked flawlessly. Plus, it even came with the original HP recovery DVDs for Windows 8.1 Pro and all of the drivers. Just make sure you research whichever one you're looking at before you buy to make sure the specs are good enough for what you need it to do and to see possible hardware variations.
In general:
1. Home/small-office laptops are of very poor quality. I wouldn't want one NEW. I would doubly not want one USED. Stick with the business laptops. They're better built. They're more rugged. And so they're much more expensive when new, but can be economical when used.
2. I bought my work laptop when my company closed shop. That laptop was new when I started, and just one year old when the office closed. The when-new list price was $1000. I got it one year old for $200 ... and it was upgraded by the IT staff from Win 7 to Win 10, with a fresh install. A very nice deal!
You're not likely to find such a deal. But here are my points:
- I had no hesitation to buy because I knew the condition of the laptop, and I knew that its components were up-to-date.
- I would NOT have bought this sight-unseen. For me Ebay is a no-no for such products. A used laptop is too problematic. I want to see it and touch it before I buy it.
There's more to cover ... but zbook, above, already did a nice job of that.
Agree with all the replies above. The most important consideration is the quality of the manufacturer. Stick to well respected makes and you should be OK. A refurbished 'unknown' brand is just as unreliable as buying it 'new'. :)
I'll take all this in.
Thanks to all for the help,
James
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