Used Computers, are they generally worth the money or are they trash.?

Question

Tiger Direct is selling a laptop that is so similar to the one I have now and want another one.

The lap top is a Compaq and is "off lease" meaning that it was leased and has been refurbished. 3 month warranty on parts and labor.

It is only $229 for a 15".

What are the odds that I will get a computer that is good and with a normally expected life.

Also, will they clean all the info off that computer before I get it.

I really need another computer and I have had so much luck with the Compaq I have now--what are the odds of getting a good computer that will last another 3 or 4 years.

I need any and all advice I can get.

Thanks

Answer 1

Refurbished does not mean there Used.

Refurbished/Recertified systems have some new parts, if its private retail. So, the battery won't be a huge issue. The manufacturer, tests every single dang part thoroughly, than sends the good LapTops to Retailers across the country.



Used can mean.

Tested without installing new parts, install very very few parts with and/or without testing. Or not tested at all. In many used cases, only the HardDrive may have been tested thoroughly. Other parts may have been just quick tested. All depends on where the used LapTop came from.



They use lots of testing supplies, plus testing software and probably use http://dban.org to securely wipe the drives.



Sometimes refurbished computers run better than a new system. Pentium M or higher and 1.8ghz or higher will be the best choice. Many older systems are not Windows7 ready (don't bother with Vista). So, make sure it says WinVista or Win7 Compatible. Windows 7 and XP will be compatible on a Vista or 7 System.



Windows End Of Life:

Seven Pro supported by Microsoft til, 2020 (XP Mode)

XP supported by Microsoft til, 2014

Seven Premium supported by Microsoft til, 2015

Seven Ultimate supported by Microsoft til, 2015 (XP Mode)



Windows System Requirements:

XP

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sysreqs/pro.mspx

Seven

http://windows.microsoft.com/systemrequirements



Sourced From: Microsoft

Answer 2

If you only need to browse the internet and do word processing, any old computer will do the trick. If you want to do anything more processor intensive, you won't be thrilled with an older laptop unless it has at least a Core Duo processor. Also, used computers generally come with dead or near dead batteries, so figure the cost of a replacement battery into your cost if you plan on using the laptop on battery power.



With Black Friday next week, it may pay for you to camp out and get one of the bargain new laptops instead of this one. Or you might want to look for a cheap netbook.



I bought a Compaq with no battery two years ago, and it's starting to fail, so if you're expecting 3 or 4 years, you're really pushing it.

Answer 3

Seems like a good price for what it is, and if it comes with some sort of warranty (in case it explodes when you get it home) I don't see any reason why you shouldn't get it.



And yes, pretty sure they will format (erase old files) from the hard drive before they sell it to you.



Best of luck.

Answer 4

If you want a used computer you should make sure it's been refurbished. If its been refurbished the you should expect a good life out of it.

Answer 5

If it's refurbished, then it should work like new. If it's not, used computers work good; so long as they work good and have been taken good care of.