can someone explain to me the exact meaning of "refurbished"

[ciproxr]

I want to buy a laptop, i would just buy a used one but every laptop i have purchaced has had problems, so i was thinking of buying a refurbished one directly from dells site , they even sell ones without an OS on it which is perfect since i started using ubuntu. but im wondering what does refurbished exactly mean ? does this mean used or is it laptops that people send back cause they didnt work and were fixed ? or was it just sent back and there reselling them without knowing if they work or not ?

 

[goobernoodles]

The term "refurbished" is used pretty liberally. They can include used items, open box items that were sent back for whatever reason, malfunctioning items that were repaired... etc. However, the term refurbished usually implies that the item has been tested, and is in working order. There may be some minor cosmetic flaws, however.

 

[Hulk]

I've bought two refurbished computers.

One was a Compaq EVO n600c laptop. It is still working perfectly today, 4 years later.

The other was a Del 4600 desktop. All kinds of strange problems. I sent it back after about 1 day.

I've purchased about 6 new Dell systems and never had a problem with any of them.

Just my experience.

 

[n7]

When it's referring to brand name PCs, this generally means a system that has been built using the functioning parts from otherwise defective units, or systems with defective parts that have been repaired.

Usually the former in my experience.

And aside from the fact that most of the parts are somewhat used, they are basically "new" systems & will usually work great.

 

[imported_RedStar]

refurbished means ....AVOID!

those 30 day warranties tell you that they are not even willing to back up refurbished items.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: RedStar
refurbished means ....AVOID!

those 30 day warranties tell you that they are not even willing to back up refurbished items.

I disagree. It means do your homework. :thumbsup:

[*]Dell refurb systems carry the same warranty as new.
[*]The ECS s478 refurb mainboards I just purchased from Newegg carry a 1 year warranty from Newegg.

In all honesty when your brand new computer has a defective component after 30 days you are typically sent a refurb part as a replacement, and your pc is now a refurb.

ciproxr, the Dell outlet site will answer all of your questions.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segt...us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh&~section=main#faq2

 

[herbiehancock]

Good post, John.

Refurbished can mean several things, but usually means there was a problem part, the computer was taken back, repaired or part replaced, and now is refurbished. Many refurbs carry warranties that match new products, as you mentioned.

You cannot judge all refurbs by what Newegg passes off as refurbs......if you see a 30-day warranty from Newegg on a "refurb" part, most likely it is a customer return and they're trying to dump it. On the other hand, a refurb'd computer from a PC maker, like Dell, HP, etc., will carry a warranty like one of their new products. Heck, I bought a refurb'd ATI video card from ATI that had a longer warranty than a new card from them had.

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: RedStar
refurbished means ....AVOID!

those 30 day warranties tell you that they are not even willing to back up refurbished items.

30 days is long enough to tell if you have been issued junk hardware.

 

[jackschmittusa]

Theoretically, if the refurb was done by the manufacturer, it was eximined and tested by a qualified tech, and defective components were replaced with approved parts and tested again.

If a third party does the refurb, it can mean as little as cleaning it up and repacking it.

 

[corkyg]

I go with John on this one. A refurb generally always has been tested and inspected individually. New unrefurb items generally get batch percentage QC inspections and are not tested individually. That's why refubs exist, because there is always a percentage of bad units that get through the sheep fence of QC.