New computer vs refurbished computers

New computer vs refurbished computers

When looking into buying a new personal computer, there are many factors that go into the decision making process. Is it better value spending extra money for features that may not be used? Or is it cheaper in the long run to buy something more basic? One category of these questions is whether or not to buy brand new, or buy pre-owned (or refurbished). When exploring this topic, there are several things to take into consideration when making your final decision. As you can see from the list below, sometimes buying pre-owned is the way to go. However, there are times where it makes sense to buy new:

-if you want a warranty for your computer and the refurbished one doesn’t have that option.

-if you just don’t want to take any chances with your device and would prefer it be brand new; this is especially important if there’s a possibility you can lose or break the computer before even getting to use it.

-if you’re looking for particular features like touch screen/stylus or built in microphone (which may not exist on older models) and none of the pre-owned computers offered will allow those functions.

New computers

A new computer can be a great thing for a lot of people. What could be better than a shiny, new laptop or desktop with all the bells and whistles? But what about buying refurbished computers instead of brand-spanking new ones? It seems like it would save you money, but is it really worth it? New computers are generally more expensive because they have newer components. In addition to this, they also come with a warranty from the manufacturer, something that isn’t provided with refurbished desktops and laptops.

Refurbished computers

Refurbished computers may not have as many features as their new counterparts, but there are some advantages to buying them anyway. Don’t make the mistake of thinking this refers to “refurbished” in an unethical way. It doesn’t mean used or secondhand. While some unethical sellers may offer pre-owned equipment as if it were actually refurbished, no one is advocating buying these kinds of computers. Secondhand computer sales are generally unregulated and you have no idea how previous owners took care of the machines–it could be in comparatively better condition than new, but there’s also a chance that it isn’t. Pay attention to who’s selling the product and decide accordingly.

It’s possible that someone has had their hands on your once-brand-new device before you even had a chance to open the box. If someone has taken apart your computer and put it back together, chances are they’ve made some slight modifications along the way.

The parts inside refurbished computers could be used or new–it’s impossible to tell without seeing the product for yourself. There’s no telling how previous owners treated these machines either; it’s possible that someone ran into an issue with one of the components and decided to replace it with something subpar, which could affect performance now or in the future. It would probably cost less than trying to get a warranty replacement or repair on whatever was wrong with this component originally, but again, there’s also a chance that this isn’t true at all.

The parts inside of a new computer are guaranteed to be factory-fresh and functional. The company selling the machine which assembled it is also offering some kind of warranty (although you should always double check at least) if something goes wrong with one of the components, so this makes buying new computers less risky in most cases.

However, there are still some pros to buying refurbished–namely that these machines tend to be way more affordable than their brand-new counterparts. If you’re on a budget but need all the power you can get for your daily computing needs or entertainment purposes, then getting a refurbished PC may guarantee you better value for the price tag.

Price

First of all, refurbishing older models together makes them just as good as a standard new computer. Second of all, refurbished computers are cheaper than new ones, meaning you can save money on what is essentially the same product. Price is the first thing to consider when shopping for a new or refurbished computer. Many people can’t afford to spend hundreds of dollars on a laptop or desktop and as such, will opt for refurbished equipment at steep discounts. However, it’s important to keep in mind that refurbished computers aren’t defective – they’re just used .

Warranty

And refurbished laptops and desktops, unlike their new counterparts, don’t come with a warranty. This means that if something goes wrong with it later down the road, you will have to pay for the repairs yourself instead of having them done by the manufacturer free of charge. Refurbished computers may be great deals in most cases but it’s still recommended to look into getting a warranty anyways if you do decide to buy one.

Refurbished desktops and laptops are just as good as new ones and might be even better because you can save money with them! The only issue is that they don’t come with a warranty but this shouldn’t matter much if you’re careful enough not to damage them. Also, note that there’s no difference between refurbs and brand new computers where performance is concerned, so don’t worry about the little things like that.

Regardless of whether you want a new laptop or desktop or refurbished ones, here are some points to keep in mind when making your decision:

1) Always check the return policy on any computer you’re looking at buying because chances are that if it’s defective , the store won’t just take it back even if its outside of warranty. Also, if they do allow returns then ask for an extended warranty (for the same price as return insurance) which will cover more problems than simply returning it. Plus it’s good to know that you can get refunded if there’s something wrong with your computer, regardless of why.

2) New computers often come with an annoying trial ware that you have to be careful removing. They are great marketing tools but can sometimes prevent you from installing legitimate or older software because it might conflict with the trial ware.

3) New computers are often more expensive. Simply put, refurbished computers are cheaper for a reason.

4) If you do decide to buy new, buying at least one month after a new model release will save you hundreds of dollars since retailers will start marking down prices to make room for newer models coming in.

5) There is no guarantee that by buying brand name computer (like HP or Dell), your computer won’t break as fast as say one made by Acer (it can happen). And, even if it does end up breaking, it might not be covered under the warranty!

6) New computers are often already pre-loaded with tons of software (games, etc.) that you will never use and instead take up space. It’s something to consider if you’re the type who wants a clean desktop.

7) Newer models do come with some pretty cool features not found on older models, like USB 3.0 ports or HDMI output. However, these usually aren’t necessary right away. You can always upgrade your computer yourself at a later time to get those extra fun features!

8) Last but not least…refurbished computers aren’t just for people on budget – many businesses choose refurbished over new because they know it’s cheaper and still comes with a warranty.

So what are you waiting for? Did you know that we sell new computers and refurbished ones? Give us a ring to quote you one today!

Benefits of buying refurbished

Of course, buying refurbished comes with its own set of benefits as well:

-a lower price.

-the chance to test out a computer before you buy it.

-if you’re getting a refurbished computer from the manufacturer, it comes with the same warranty, should anything go wrong.

When buying a refurbished model from a trustworthy seller that offers guarantees or warranties, there’s no real difference between buying new and refurbished anymore besides the cost savings.

When looking into refurbished computers, it is important to buy from a reputable source – like Computer Technicians. All in all, both options have their own unique tradeoffs; finding the right one for the right price is all a matter of shopping around and seeing what fits your needs best.

Author:
I am a computer engineer holding a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, complemented by a Master's in Business Administration from University of Strathclyde, Scotland. I currently work as a Senior IT Consultant in Melbourne, Australia. With over 15 years of...