Refurbished computers?
 

I can deal with dents and the like but is there anything else to worry about with refurbished computers?

Viruses, obsolete software, and lack of a warranty. I would never buy a refurbished computer. Also, I wouldn't buy a computer from a company that designs their own computers from miscellaneous parts.

Depends on where you get it.
I've got a Dell Inspiron machine I got as a scratch and dent return from Best Buy, had it for around 7 years now, never a problem. Upgraded the RAM to 8GB and swapped out the hard drive for an SSD, that's about it. I think it came with Windows 8. I run Debian Linux on it now, great little machine!

Still have the "open box" price sticker on it, paid $189.99, not too bad!

I don't know much about the Windows world, but if you're buying a Mac, only buy a refurbished from the online Apple Store.

"Scratch and dent" and "open box" are not the same as refurbished.

Oh, it was scratched, dented, open boxed and refurbished for sure! But they told me there was some kind of warranty, don't remember the specifics, never used the warranty.

To me, "refurbished" means that the computer was used and returned under warranty because of some type of internal defect. Then, it was worked on by a computer technician to repair the internal defect and to restore the default factory settings. I would not buy a computer that was sold as refurbished in that manner. Too risky.

Adding "a certified technician" and will be resold with a limited warranty. Typically 90 days.

I've bought many HP refurbished laptops directly from HP. These are 'refurbished' by HP to 'like new' factory condition and carry a 90 day warranty. Many credit cards will double this warranty. HP also typically provides a 3 year extended warranty for about $99.


At the link below, you will find HP Business Class refurbs.
HP Business Outlet | HP(R) Official Site

Refurbished computers are fine ,depends who was doing the work. Amazon uses multiply companies and retails their computers. I recently bought from the apple store a Mac book pro with one year warranty.

I took my wife's old 2004 Dell and put Linux Mint on it, no regrets!

Good Morning Talt

I would keep walking and pass on the refurb computers.
IF you have no concerns about what you place on the computer....go for it.
But it seems like we put everything on these boxes these days.

A refurbish computer is like a refurbished golf cart....fresh paint, used engine & tranny......where all the risk hides.

If someone kills the computer and brings it back with a new operating system and programs....you have a chance of a good computer, but there is no way to verify the process.

Windows 10 expires in a couple years. Older PCs can’t upgrade to 11. If you buy used, make sure it is running 11.

I bought one through WalMart dot com, have been using it daily for four years, with no problems at all.

If you are talking about a pc running windows (why anybody would be running windows in the 1st place is alarming) and the computer has been modified with 3rd party hardware and drivers, I would stay away because it might be a headache to keep everything updated, plus the latest OS has issues running on certain hardware.

If it’s a Mac from 2012 or newer, no problem buying used/refurbished. The main reason is the only thing you can modify inside a Mac is the amount of memory (sometimes), laptop batteries, and hard drives/ssd. If the mac boots up and sees all the memory, the memory is good. You can run disk utility to see if the hard disk/ssd has any errors.
You can also check the laptop battery.

I would not hesitate to purchase a used or "refurbished" computer. The one thing I would always do is either replace the storage drive(s) or reformat them and then reinstall the Windows OS. If the computer is relatively new (last five years or so), and it had a licensed version of Windows 10 or 11, then the Windows install should pick up the digital license automatically. You can get a new SATA 500 GB SSD or NVME M.2 SSD for about $25 or a 1TB for about $35.

I have purchased two desktop computer systems refurbished by the manufacturer and by a local authorized dealer. Both gave a short warranty, but I purchased an extension just in case. The HP system lasted more than 7 years. One call to replace the HD under warranty after 3 years. Great computer. Hp has a refurbished computer site. Buy only if certified by HP.

The other was a Dell. Reliable for several years .. until I donated it sans hard drive. The Hp was more upgradable. Again, buy certified by the manufacturer or a reliable certified dealer.
Apple also has a refurb site. You just have to buy a system that can run the latest operating system.
For laptops, the battery will have a shorter life, but the computer itself is likely great if certified. Again , with systems being soldered and hard to upgrade, get enough power for the next os upgrade.

Mac of all trades
 

but a Mac from Mac of all Trades I brought 5 of them from this retailer and they re authorized Apple resale ,never had a problem, good prices.

As others have mentioned, I would NEVER buy a refurbished computer. Most will come with hard drive that you should immediately remove. Since malware can be added onto components, I wouldn't trust most of the hardware. Just spend a little bit more and buy new....

Good luck expecting Windows to pick up the digital license automatically on a refurbished computer. The Windows license is for one computer only, and they use a digital fingerprint method to identify the specific computer. If you replace major components, it may be almost impossible to reinstall Windows, even if you have the Windows product code.

after reading most of the threads obviously from people not in the know, you should always buy refurbished from the manufacturer no other place. Here's why, Other outlets may tamper with them in such a way that it causes problems in the future. When you buy refurb from the manufacturer you are getting one right out of "the shop" aka their refurb facility. Manufacturers do this all the time. When they refurb a computer, they will look at anything that has failed or near failing, and inadequate with 'today's standard' . In many cases should some part be obsolete they will use the current version (this will never be mentioned so consider it a hidden benefit). As far as picking up virus, etc. That doesn't happen. The drive is typically replaced during refurb. Each manufacturer has a setup that produces first install software & OS images for new machines, they will use one of those. The old drives will go through a different process to evaluate them before they get zeroed and redone.

Your only issue is the processor and age, they will tell you if it's able to run Win11 or not. Considering Win11 isn't 'settled down' as of yet, you have a couple years to wait if you so choose.

So due to these processes is why you deal directly with the manufacturers, not amazon or best buy. These are not like the "open box" which personally I stay far away from. I used to buy refurbs for the kids, never had a single problem, and they lasted as long as the new ones did.

Do you homework.

That is completely incorrect. When they refurb the license will be changed if necessary. Happens often.

totally false. that's pure assumption and lack of knowledge of the process

The poster (Post No. 15) implied that you can buy a refurbished computer and then replace storage components, and reinstall the Windows software yourself. I don't believe that is possible when you don't even have the Windows product code. He also said that the computer would pick up the license number automatically. I don't think that will happen.

I've done it more times than I can count. The Windows 10 or 11 digital license is stored on the motherboard I believe in the bios. It remains with the motherboard. Move the motherboard to another PC case and the license goes with it. A windows install will pick it right up. I did it this week with my laptop. The touchpad is not working correctly and HP has accepted a warranty return. They indicated that the M.2 ssd might be reimaged during the repair and I would lose all my data. I simply swapped another clean M.2 ssd and installed Windows 11. It picked the digital license up instantly. They can do whatever they want with that ssd. I needed Windows installed so they could see that the touchpad is not working right.

The spare computer in our house has always been a refurb.
Our present one is a Dell, and it has worked well for donkeys years, and everyone keeps telling me how bad Dell are and shouldn't go near them.
Actually, it is a bit slow nowadays, and uses a lot more coal to get the steam pressure up, but apart from that, it's fine.:icon_wink:

You would be correct if the system has a non-digital license. Prior to digital licenses, the Windows Key was printed either somewhere on the computer or it came with the box if you bought a Windows install disk. Digital licenses are stored on the motherboard. Obviously sometime in the life of the computer you might update your storage drive. You can try to clone your existing one which can be a mess or simply install Windows on the new drive. Once booted, it will look for the digital license. One word of caution, when installing the new drive, make sure the version of Windows on the usb flash drive is the same as the one on the digital license. For instance, Windows 10 Home vs Windows 10 Pro. I've made this mistake a few times. If you do, then just go back and reinstall with the correct version. It will pick up the license.

Thanks for the information. Apparently Windows licensing has changed. I also read that you can install Windows 11 on multiple computers as long as you don't activate the license? Wouldn't a new computer come with Windows already activated?

I always buy my computers from Dell’s outlet. They sell scratch and dent and refurbished. They include a full warranty.

I think that a refurbished computer, cell phone, etc.and is Factory Refurnished and not by the user. I have owned 2 Dell refurbished laptops and they were every bit like new with a warranty. Dell, Acer, Lenovo, etc. are all good to get if the refurbishment was done by the factory.

Refurbished macs fine
 

Same here. Bought a few refurbished macs from them over the years and never had any issues with them.

I've had excellent luck with buying from Dell’s outlet site over the years. Every computer appears to be factory-fresh and reliable.
You will need to know what specs you want or need in order to help weed through all of the options available. I'm a fan of the i7 Intel processor which has power in reserve plus long life and reliability.