Sunday, June 26, 2011

Refurbished Computers, Yes Why Not?

Refurbished P C’s, Etcetera

Do you realize that there is an ongoing buying “rage” with regard to Desk Top Computers (PC’s), Laptop Computers, Computer Monitors, and Printers; all of which have been Refurbished.  This rage is quite simply the clamor resulting from the on-slough of thousands of seasoned and new P C buyers saving a large sum of money.   It is not uncommon for the buyer of refurbished products to save from 30 to 50 percent on computers and there related component parts such as the printer or the monitor.

We’re not talking used here, as used items often have older and potentially outdated internal parts that may be “on there last leg” so to speak.  Typically a refurbished computer will have an updated mother board for example, as opposed to an out dated one in the typical used unit.

 
Consider this analogy: You are shopping for a pre-owned car.  You have located two on the same car lot that appear identical and you’re going to pay cash.  Both are 5 years old and have the same price tag; however one of the two has a relatively “new” engine with less than 1000 documented miles of use but both cars have 75,000 miles showing on their odometer.   Rocket science is not required for choosing the right car, right?  Obviously you choose the car with the newer engine or in the alternative you could decide to buy new and thus increase your capital outlay requirements by 30 to 50 percent.

I have completed a good bit of research regarding price comparison of new and refurbished computers and there component parts (monitor, speakers, printer, etc.) all of which are necessary for creating a “system” to enhance a favorable use experience.   Keep in mind that manufacturers do not always include monitors, printers (often not even print cartridges if printers are included), speakers, and hardly ever printer cables required for connection to the base computer unit.  


You can buy a New Gateway FX6850 with 8 GB’s of memory, using a Windows 7 Operating System; add a HP Office Jet Printer; a 20 inch wide screen HP Monitor; a nice set of speakers; and a 6 foot printer cable, all of this is new, not refurbished.  This sells for a few pennies less than $1,135.00.

On the other hand, a Refurbished Gateway SX2801 with 6 GB’s of memory, also using a Windows 7 Operating System; a 20 inch HP monitor; a Kodak ESP3 color printer; the nice speakers referenced above; and the same 6 foot printer cable, now remember all of the components for creating this working system are Refurbished except the printer cable and the speakers … These two systems are similar indeed, with the exception of two things:
1.  The refurbished system has less memory capacity than the new system, 6 GB’s verses 8 … (who needs more than 1 GB?)
2.  The price for the refurbished system sells for $655.00 … that’s a savings of $480.00 or a 42% savings.

You could use that savings to purchase a system for someone else (a good friend or relative):
          Let’s say a Refurbished Dell desk Top GX620 ……….. $219.99
          (with 2 GB memory & an XP Professional Operating System)
Choose a 20” widescreen monitor with built in speakers.... 109.99
(we paid a penny short of $45.00 for those speakers listed above)
          The Kodak ESP3 color printer (with print cartridges) …...   41.99
          (we selected this brand because they usually have the cheapest cartridges)
          You’ll need that new printer cable…………………………   19.99 
TOTAL:                                                                                    $391.96

Gee’s, by taking this option (refurbished) you still have money left for dinner and a movie, plus you have two superb computer systems.


Sources ...
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/refurbished.html

No comments:

Post a Comment