What is a Refurbished Computer?

Refurbished. Remanufactured. Reconditioned. Essentially, all of these terms refer to the same thing. But what does refurbished really mean?

A refurbished computer is one that is sent back to the manufacturer for a variety of reasons, refitted with different parts as necessary, and then tested and approved for resale by the manufacturer. Refurbished computers typically carry the same warranty as provided with a new computer.

Yes, it can mean a computer that was returned because it didn’t work properly and was redone to factory specifications. But it can also be a system with a cosmetic blemish -- like a small ding on the monitor -- that automatically means it cannot be sold in stores. Or it could be a system that was returned simply because it wasn’t the correct model the consumer wanted, but the consumer had opened the box.

In any case, refurbished doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re buying a used computer at all. Many refurbished computers and laptops have never even been sold or used. In some cases, they are inventory overstocks that were never made available for sale or never shipped out to frontline stores.

Most importantly, refurbished doesn’t mean that you’re buying a computer with a defect or something else wrong with it. Refurbished computers go through the same testing and approval process that all brand new computers go through.

Refurbished Computers Use Current Technology

Buying a refurbished computer doesn’t mean you’re stuck with an outdated machine. While computers are forever becoming faster and able to hold more data on larger hard drives, the basics of the computer are still the same. The technology used on refurbished computers is typically less than a year old, so you can get processing power and memory specifications that are almost the equivalent of brand new models.

If you just want an inexpensive computer to do e-mail, surf the Internet, balance your checkbook, play a few games, and do some word processing, you might want to invest in a refurbished model. Most are still upgradeable in case you want to add more memory, a larger hard drive, or a faster modem later on.

The Benefits of Buying Refurbished Computers

For many families and home businesses, one computer just isn't enough. While the main computer is in use, there's usually another family member who would like use email, surf the Internet, or finish up some work. A second computer or third computer in the house is quickly becoming a necessity for larger families.

As it becomes time to get additional computer systems that other members of the family or home business can use, this is when looking into getting a refurbished computer or laptop is a viable option. You can get pretty close to the same specifications as your new computer for less cost, or buy a basic system and save a bundle of money in the process.

Another case are those persons who are just now hopping on the technology train and who don’t want to spend a fortune on a new computer. In such cases, buying a refurbished computer instead is a great option for the new computer user. They can learn on it and get comfortable with the technology before moving on to a more sophisticated and more expensive system.

Of course, the most obvious reason to consider a refurbished computer is money. They are always quite a bit cheaper than brand new models, and so you can get the same processing power and specifications on a refurbished computer while saving yourself hundreds of dollars.

For further reading on the benefits of buying refurbished computer products, you can view the article, "Why Buy Refurbished Equipment?", from BuyerZone.com.

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