Would you buy a refurbished notebook? Why or why not?

This is just a random question, but it is intriguing to me. I have the option to go for a dv9000t for $400 off HP.com's price, but it is refurbished, and only like a 3 month warranty, it is has been refurbished, so i doubt there is physical damage to it. .

P.S. I know this is an 'older' model but, I'm just using this as an example if you would get a refurb laptop.

Also, if you would be so kind to point out some advantages, or disadvantages of a refurbished laptop, it would be appreciated with some rep.

 

I would buy a refurb, but only if I could get an extended warranty to cover 2-3 years. I expect to buy a new laptop every 3-4 years, and like it to be covered under warranty for almost that whole period. I just expect that things will go wrong, and they usually do.

 

Thats a good point right there, because you get a limited warranty from a refurb, but can you buy an extended warranty from like HP?

 

I would get a refurb if I were assured it would be in pristine condition, and if I were to get at least a 1 year warranty with the option of an extension. Then it would be just the same as new .

 

I bought a refurbished Dell Inspiron 8100 PIII 1.2gig laptop over 4 years ago and it's still going strong.

 

I would buy a refurbished laptop because it is worth the discount. When a laptop that is refurbished is discounted by around that $400 price point I think its extremely reasonable.

The positives of getting a refurbished laptop is that it usually comes with a longer warranty period and it does come straight from the original manufacturer so its like new. Also anything that was harming the laptop before has been fixed and if it hasn't you can always return it for a refund or a new refurbished one. Besides cosmetic damages the laptop would be in its original manufacture state.

The negatives would be an increased chance of something going wrong. It wouldn't be brand spanking new so there might be cosmetic damages to it like scratches or other things that are not tied in with hardware of the laptop. Another negative would be the fact that you wouldn't have a chance to create a CTO because obviously it was already created and the only replacements added would be to fix hardware parts.

-Eric

 

I'd call HP and ask. When I worked in retail at one of the major office chains, we had product replacement plans that we could sell people even if they didn't buy their system through us. I don't know if they could be used to cover a refurb though. Even though I could technically sell one, we didn't have people running off the street to just buy product replacement plans haha.

I would say if you can extend the warranty past 90 days, definitely go for it. That way you are covered just in case anything goes wrong. My past experiences with refurb electronics have all been positive though...

Also have you checked Dell's outlet store? They have some very good deals there too. $400 dollars off doesn't strike me as amazing...especially with some of the coupons/deals they have over at Dell.com. Then again you didn't say what the final purchase price would be...

 

Yes, you can buy extended warranty packs on factory refurbised HP/Compaq notebooks. Just make sure that you purchase it before the standard warranty expires.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...&a1=Category&v1=Notebooks&catLevel=2#bcAnchor

 

Would this work on stuff on ebay? Or is that (original factory warranty off the refurb notebook) warranty binded to the original buyer/owner of the notebook?

 

Hmm...you will have to ask HP for clarification on that question. But as long as the original buyer has the proof of purchase and is willing to give it to you, I dont think there should be any problems with buying the extended warranty.

 

If it comes with a warrenty I would

 

Well warranties from HP are transferable so you would just ask the seller to give you the rights to the standard warranty and then you can purchase the extended warranty =D.

-Eric

 

Thanks for all your inputs, now that I know HP has extended warranties, and transferable, I'll give em a call later tonite, and make sure this is true, thanks to all who helped, poll will still be open, and to opinions.

 

I have no problem with refurb laptops provided they are in excellent cosmetic condition. That would be my main concern is that they're all scratched up or the screen is scratched or something.

If it's more than a year old, I would also immediately replace the hard drive as a precautionary measure, since that's the most-likely-to-fail component in any used laptop.

 

as with all mechanical things, the old parts will have a shorter life than an ordianry laptop, and as a battery is used its life decreases, so expect a shorter battery life thanexpected

 

I've never had any problems with anything refurbished. Refurbished is like buying used, except it's guaranteed to be in working condition as much as anything new is.

 

Just something I wish to point out:

The V5201 in my sig was a refurb. I bought 2 other V5000 series CTOs during their run, but ended up keeping the refurb because it had the brightest screen (the 2 CTO models eventually went to friends).

That said, the V5201 was as new & pristine as the ordered CTOs (you could not tell the difference physically). However, the refurb had a bum AC adapter in it right from the box (which was probably why it became a "refurb", as someone returned it with intermittent power problems that obviously escaped HP's awareness during the "refurb" certification process).

I immediately ordered a new adapter at my own expense, and the laptop has been flawless ever since. Just make sure that everything is working properly when you get it, as a 90 day warranty does not go very far if issues start appearing.

 

i wouldn't. because im a person who likes giving the notebook personality, and i cant do that with a refurb, because in my opinion you have a higher chance of having something go wrong. but with a new notebook there is a small chance of getting a lemon.

 

I would buy a refurb but only if there's a significant price difference with a new one. There's a reason why it's a refurbished and why is the warranty not equal to a new unit? Aren't they confident it would last as long as a brand new one or is it due to less $$ = less warranty?

 

my family don't allow me to buy anything "used". Besides I like anything new

 

Only if I could be sure the battery is brand new.

If the battery has been sitting around, then it won't last as long.
The clock starts when the battery is made, not when people start using it.

 

I would buy referbished if what I was looking for was available. I figure your laptop is going to work great or crap out on you. The fact that is has already crapped out on someone else may allow you to dodge the bullet.

I have had great luck with HP and Dell so far, my Dad has had no end of Sony's crapping out on him, but he is still a fan.

 

With such great deals on new notebooks, refurbished ones are somewhat a risk.

 

Its true!!, since one member managed some how to get one of the new Compaq F5xxx(V6000Z) ,for ~ $330+ Tax, It had the best spec you can find in the $500 range.

It have

AMD Athlon X2 1.7Ghz
1gb RAM
80gb HDD
DVD/CD WR-Dual layer
nVidia 6150
Vista Home Premium

 

i bought a mac book (still avoiding that auto linking thing) refurbished from next byte for $899AUD (original core duo model but still comes with 12 months warranty and all original packaging/gear). that was a bloody bargain.

it seems to be fine but mac books have deplorable reliability records so i'll prolly flog it off in a few months when i get bored

i would definitely buy a refurb again, but theyre not so easy to come by in australia, the dell refurbs are most common.

 

HP warranties and tech support are bound to the unit, not to the owner. That's why whenever you call or email, they ask for the P/N, S/N, and M/N, and not your name. So as long as the new owner has the HP sticker on the bottom, they are all set.

 

My rule of thumb is NEVER buy anything used unless it's 50% of NEW!! There's just TOO many deals on decent NEW laptops today. Dual cores from $400 on up.
It takes some searching and weeks to catch the deal at the right time.

I actually see used laptops on eBay that cost more than a similar new lap top.
Use caution and look on other sites before purchasing.

 

I just bought an HP DV9260 refurb for $1169.00 + $20.00 shipping This same unit is for sale at CC for over $2000.00 I feel this is a GREAT DEAL. and I will happily pay HP $250 to extend the warranty 2+ years

 

buying a refurbished computer is THE best way to go. firstly, its cheaper cuz its open box. but second, when its sent in to get fixed, the company checks EVERYthing. really well. so you know itll work super well when you buy it. when i can, i only buy refurb.