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    How Used Is That Refurbished Laptop?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by sharon101, Mar 21, 2012.

  1. sharon101

    sharon101 Newbie

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    What program can I run to tell me how frequently my new refurbished laptop was used, prior to the time that I purchased it?

    Thank you.
     
    sharon101, Mar 21, 2012
    #1
  2. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    You could check the hard drive's SMART data using a tool like HDTune, but that only gives you the power-on hours of the hard drive: if the machine was refurbished, various parts could have been replaced, so it'd just be one guess.
     
    MidnightSun, Mar 21, 2012
    #2
  3. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You can't really tell...
     
    sgogeta4, Mar 21, 2012
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  4. timfountain

    timfountain Notebook Consultant

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    True and I'd also add IMHO it doesn't really matter. It's more about cosmetics than run time....
     
    timfountain, Mar 22, 2012
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  5. baii

    baii Sone

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    You can check the usage of HDD and battery, but that pretty much it as they snap different parts together.

    My refurb came in with 1k hour HDD and around 90% max battery.
     
    baii, Mar 22, 2012
    #5
  6. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Most refurbished units are units that people return if they don't like it, buyer's remorse mostly. Most should be less than 1 month old, pending on the OEM's return policy. Sometimes, there actually a defective part, so then the usage should be even less. I've bought tons of refurbished laptops, and my only one to have major issues (Dell Latitude E6410) had problems up front (random BSOD in AHCI mode, stripped screw for bottom panel). Dell's Outlet made it very hassle free to return it.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Mar 22, 2012
    #6
  7. naton

    naton Notebook Virtuoso

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    If buying second hand it is always good to look for a laptop that is in a good cosmetic condition. This tells you that it was well looked after by its previous owner and that it has not been moved around a lot :)
     
    naton, Mar 22, 2012
    #7