The secret to saving money on a new computer!
Okay, here’s the secret to saving money when buying your next computer. Buy it refurbished! I know, at first, this sounds like your buying a lemon, right? Wrong! The lemon was bought by the first guy who got that computer off the shelf. Yep, you have the already serviced, got rid of all the bad parts due to weak quality control, beautifully new computer.
Next tip, don’t go out and buy Al’s Super Duper Refurbished Computers because they usually have horrible warranties or may not be refurbishing with manufactured parts. You have to buy MANUFACTURED REFURBISHED! That’s the key. The computers should be refurbished by the manufacturer. HP computers refurbished by HP. Apple refurbished by Apple and so on. You are guaranteed the computers will be refurbished with original manufactured parts, not off the shelf bits. And most provide a year warranty or offer extended warranties.
Another quick tip, don’t buy the latest and greatest tech. I don’t know about you, but I don’t really want to pay top dollar to be a beta tester for newly released hardware and software.
So, my little rant aside, where are the best places to buy quality refurbished machines?
First up, APPLE STORE. They keep making the link smaller and smaller on their home page — just look for SALE anywhere on the home page and you’ll find the link. I bought both my Macs from the refurbished section of the Apple Store and they came in brand new condition and include a one year warranty. The computers are also eligible for the two year extended warranty, which I did buy from another online store that had the warranties on sale. Now, I did have a friend who bought a laptop from the refurbished store and it came with a small dent in the computer case. He promptly returned it and was sent another, in pristine condition, refurbished unit. So if you are unhappy with your purchase make sure you can return or exchange it.
HP has a refurbished section as well. The outlet currently has very few items available, so you need to keep checking back. I also bought my premium laptop as a refurbished unit and it came with all the parts, manuals and CD’s. Only difference, it comes in a simple brown box. (Apple also sends in a non-branded brown box). It was in perfect condition and is still humming along today. HP outlet purchase also includes a 1 year warranty.
Dell also has an outlet store. They specify three types of products available, Certified Refurbished, Previously Ordered New and Scratch and Dent, all discounted appropriately. For more details on each of these product categories click here.
I have not bought from Dell’s Outlet store. So have no practical experience, however they offer a 21 day return policy and the same limited hardware warranty and service as if you bought a new product.
One last advantage to buying refurbished. In a small way, you’re helping recycle these computers and parts. After all, if they don’t sell as refurbished then they probably end up in a landfill somewhere.
Anyone else have experience buying refurbished from other manufacturers? What was your experience? Good or Bad? Please share with a comment.
aah! you read my mind. I was just going to ask you where to start as I’m going to have to invest in a new laptop/notebook this year.