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Posts: 1991
| Looking at getting a refurbished laptop for my son, any thoughts on the refurbished units? Issues or problems?
Steve I know you like to use Tiger direct |
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Member
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Location: Elgin, Illinois | Kurt,
Right now Compu USA (formerly Tiger Direct) should have some deals on refurbished Acer/eMachines for around $450. We buiy them for our own use and for our technicians, without any qualms. I am not, however, fond of buying "recertified/off lease" machines that are a few years old. My primary issue with them is the battery. Old batteries are usually weak and will need to be replaced at some point. Send me a PM if you have a specific machine in mind... |
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Posts: 1991
| Thanks |
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Posts: 885
| Kirt, I buy used computers (IBM only) from several different sources on e-bay for my company. What does your son intend to do with this laptop? Microsoft Office products? does he need a internal dvd player, an internal wireless modem for connecting to the internet or a network. The biggest question is the video capabilities of older laptops.... just about any laptop in the last 5 years will surf the internet and run the latest vesrion on Microsoft office suite, but they usually fall short on video graphics. If you want a low priced new machime that will do everything, get a Lenovo S10E. Lenovo bought IBM's personal computer line years ago and they are rock solid. It should sell for $299. Runs full version of XP and any software you can think of. For about $125 bucks, you can buy a IBM X31 off e-bay that comes with a docking station and will run any software, has decent graphics and the best part... they are indestructible. I can send you a few links from trusted sellers on e-bay if you need! Dominic |
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Member
Posts: 1991
| Nothing fancy just some basic game stuff, hook up to the internet via wireless, and some word stuff
Yah send me a couple of rec. links |
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| http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-X31-1-4Ghz-512MB-40GB-HDD-Windows-... |
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Posts: 794
Location: Elgin, Illinois | As of Service Pack 3... You need a "realistic" minimum of 1 gb of memory and really 2 gb to run XP with any kind of "speed". Likewise, older laptops may have questionable batteries. So, $30-40 for memory and if you can go to 2 Gb it would be $60-80... a new battery is $50-80... So you tie up another $100-160 just to get a mediocre machine. It is why I do not seriously suggest off lease/recertified laptops. I have no problem with a $400 price for a laptop that has been recertified if it is current or near current production, especially when the "new"
version is retail priced at $600. |
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Posts: 794
Location: Elgin, Illinois | Oh and that IBM example does not have an optical drive or wireless card so those items will add about $100.
Tell you what, to see what you would be getting for $170... I will send you a very similar working Dell Latitude for $25 and the cost iof shipping (I have about 50 of them just rotting on a shelf)... |
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| The x31's come with an 802b internal wireless setup and they will run service pac 3 just fine, I have several in service right now.
Just going on 10 years experience of furnishing laptops for my guys at a cheep price and having tried just about every avenue from new to used.
I have had horrible experiences with Compaq (sued them and won), Dell has the worst customer service, and Gateway is not far behind.
If you buy a used laptop, it's critical to know if the manufactor supports the unit with updates on their website, IBM/Leonvo still provides all the drivers needed.
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Location: Rhinelander | Go to Overstock.com and Tiger Direct. Look for re-certified or refurbished Dell or Acer models. Gateway seems to have good results too from the reviews. I'm tying this on a refurbed Dell 1737 with 4 gigs of memory and a 500 gig HD, plus a good dual core Intel processor. I've been using this computer since late winter, and it's now my main on the road 'event coverage' production PC. |
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Member
Posts: 2567
Location: Manitowoc, WI | I just received a refurbished Dell Latitude. I believe its a 620. I've had it for a week now without any problems. It works as well as a new unit. I paid $275 and have plenty of memory. For me it's the way to go. |
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Location: Rhinelander | hgmeyer,
If you have those laptops sitting around, I'd take a couple for my son. Any chance you'd sell me a couple? |
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Posts: 2567
Location: Manitowoc, WI | To add: I also purchased a new battery for my computer when I bought it. That is what the sellers recommended, as they do not guarantee how long the battery will last.
hgmeyer - if these machines still work I would be interested in a couple too.
Edited by jerry 7/14/2010 1:27 PM
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Posts: 794
Location: Elgin, Illinois | Sorry Steve...
But the "villager idiot" is fresh out of serviceable units... |
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Posts: 1195
Location: Orland Park, IL | Hey kirt, I like checking out sites like www.woot.com and www.1saleaday.com. You never know what you will find.
http://www.woot.com/
Acer Aspire 10.1” Netbook with 6 Cell Battery
$209.99
+ $5 shipping
Condition: Refurbished |
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