Revised BIOS

MY wife recently bought a laptop from DELL. It has a revised BIOS and the memory is 256 mB 261MHz instead of 333 MHz as ordered. My question is: Is the laptop brand new or refurbished?

 

Well, a revised BIOS doesn't neccesarily mean you got a refurbished machine. Sometimes what happens is a manufacturer will distribute a particular product. As that product is being sold, there may be problems with hardware and/or software that are discovered or updated drivers may be available. Once a location runs out of that product, they have to request additional stock. The additional stock they recieve will be the same physical model, but certain portions may be updated for some of the reasons I mentioned before. It happens more than most people realize.

A refurbished machine is one that has been previously distributed but returned to the manufacturer. The reasons vary: Floor models, returns (defective or non-defective), over stock, etc. By being 'refurbished' a manufacturer legally has to test that machine and fix any problems so that it operates as if it were brand new out the box. In addition, when they redistribute the machine, it must be distributed with all of the original material (manuals, software, accessories, etc.) that it would normally come with. I believe refurbished machines have to be labeled as such, check the bottom of the machine for a sticker that says REFURBISHED.

 

[ ] Ta for the comment! I did not see any sticker that says its refurbished. Another thing, is there a big difference between 261 MHz and 333 MHZ DDR memory? Pardon me if this seems to be a question showing my illiteracy with computer accessories.[ ]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by lionofgod