There's some good prices on the 700m today at the Dell outlet site and I was interested in picking one up. You can still get warranty and what not, so that's good. Anyone have experience with Dell refurbished computers?
Some are good, some are bad but they all have a warranty. You actually can get as good of a deal on new systems in small business with coupons that come out. 2 weeks ago, there was a $750 off notebooks coupon available. Check out techbargains.com for coupons. They come out every week, and the good ones come about once a month.
I'm not big on ANY refurb computers. I've had a couple of refurbed and a couple of brand new and it always seems like the refurbs break down more often. If you are going to save a ton of money, I say go for it...if you are only saving 75-100 bucks, I say buy something brand new.
Yeah, I've been looking for a deal ever since I missed out on the $750 off extravaganza. I even started a thread about that deal here, but I just took too long to make up my mind. The deal is pretty good, it's the 1.6ghz 700m with 40gb hd, 256mb ram, cdrw/dvd, 8 cell battery, wireless b/g and 1yr warranty for $844 shipped. All I need to do is buy an extra stick of 512 ram from somewhere else and I'm good to go. I'm just worried about getting a lemon. Refurbished are returned computers b/c someone had a problem with them right?
Refurbs are usually sent back because: 1. Something was broken. Computer was returned, part was fixed, now it works. 2. Something was missing. Part was missing, computer was returned, part replaced. Computer works. Sometimes this can even be a manual or a piece of software missing. 3. Didn't pass quality control. Never was shipped. Computer was fixed, going to refurb. 4. CTO order returned. (configured to order) - Someone orders a computer configured one way, shipped another way, comes back. Nothing broken, just wasn't configured correctly. 5. Unopened returns. Company A orders 10 computers, Dell ships 100. 90 are returned unopened. This also often happens on long term contracts. Company signs a 5 year deal for IT equipment...initially needed 100 computers, turns out they only need 98...2 get shipped back unopened. Also returned to sender by post office...someone orders a computer and moves, someone orders a computer and can't afford it so they don't accept delivery...a whole slew of issues. 6. Unshipped goods. Even though they are not technically refurbs, unshipped goods often are lumped into the refurb category. Closeouts, unsold goods, CTOs ordered, configured, then cancelled...another myriad of reasons. In theory, I think buying a refurb is a good idea. In practice, I've been stuck with some computers that never were up to par to my brand new ones. Also, you will never actually know why something is refurbed in most cases. Also, check out www.hpshopping.com Go to the "outlet store" As cheap or cheaper than Dell sometimes.
We have 2 gateway refurbs here, and both have made it 4 years, but it seems like they twitch a little more than the standard cpu so Ive stopped buying them.
I've had my Dell refurb for quite a while. I have been very happy with it. No problems at all. I used to have a Sony that I got brand new, they had to replace that thing 3 times. Either way, it's a crapshoot, but the odds are good that your computer will work fine, no matter which way you decide to go. Since you get a warranty anyway, might as well go with the refurb.
You know what's scary, I purchased a refurbished 700m today. The reason I went refurbished is 1) cheaper and 2) it takes an eternity for Dell to build it.
I have a refurb Dell laptop... I've had it for a few years (P3-700), it just went out of warranty (knock on wood) and it's still kicking! I'm very happy with it.
