Refurbished Laptops?

spengos · 19 Jan 2013 at 19:47

I've been looking for a laptop lately, and although I want one that has a fairly decent spec I don't want to pay too much. I think buying laptops is a bit like buying a new car in that the second you buy one they lose a load of value. So my thinking is to either get one that has already lost value and that way I don't waste too much cash. I'm thinking either a used one or get a refurbished one. So has anyone ever got a refurb laptop and can advise on what they're like in terms of quality? Also what is meant by refurbished? Do they just run a duster over them or do they actually do anything to the inner workings/software/bios/mechanics, etc?

Kreeeee · 19 Jan 2013 at 21:21

Dell refurbished units are fantastic. They will give you a general comment about the damage (No damage, scratch, dent, etc) but no specifics. You can always send it back if you're unhappy but most seem to have no noticeable defect.

A refurbished unit can be one sent back under the distance selling act, or one sent back due to a fault and repaired. They will be fully tested and returned to their stock setup (fresh install of windows etc).

brendy · 19 Jan 2013 at 21:23

I have bought a few from the dell outlet for work and strangely not had a problem with them yet every new one has had to be repaired.

d_brennen · 19 Jan 2013 at 21:29

brendy said:
I have bought a few from the dell outlet for work and strangely not had a problem with them yet every new one has had to be repaired.

Dell refurbs come pre-repaired, for your convenience

Raikiri · 19 Jan 2013 at 21:35

Refurbs usually have lower failure rates than new stuff, they're repaired and then tested to a much higher standard than most.

Rozzy85 · 19 Jan 2013 at 22:11

Refurb is a very loose term. It can mean anything from hardware repair/replacement to just cleaning a bit of dirt of the casing. Either way, with computers it will be better value for money if you're not bothered about it being previous used.

spengos · 19 Jan 2013 at 22:16

Yeah I've heard good things about Dell outlet, although the good stuff seems to disappear from there pretty quick. Ideally I want to get an XPS or an Alienware but they're hard to find. Few on Ebay but refurbished on Ebay could mean something very different.

brendy · 19 Jan 2013 at 22:21

The outlet sells items which have been returned for slight quality issues as well as actual return for repair stuff.
I have moved onto hp laptops again though as I had around 25% warranty returns with the dells and no returns with the Hp Probooks...yet.

Dell make rock solid vostro desktops though, not one issue with them yet bar one WD hdd that started to fail.
To add context, I support around 40 laptops and 60+ desktops across 3 main networks.

danielanthony · 20 Jan 2013 at 00:08

I've had nothing but problems with the Dell refurb I got, two callouts and they still didn't fix it. Sending it back as not worth the hassle.

kitkat9933 · 20 Jan 2013 at 00:35

The good items on the Dell outlet store, get swiped up literally in seconds, so it is hard to get one of them.

Selekt0r · 21 Jan 2013 at 17:07

d_brennen said:
Dell refurbs come pre-repaired, for your convenience

Not necessarily. I've had two laptops from the outlet, and both have needed technician visits in the first few days to replace faulty components. Maybe I'm just unlucky though...