Refurbished Vs. New – Which Is Better When Picking A Computer?

Refurbish (v): to brighten or renew – Merriam-Webster’s Online dictionary. In essence, when one refurbishes an item, and for purpose of discussion, a computer, one is actually getting an old item that has undergone adjustments to give it the appearance that it’s new. When one purchases a refurbished computer, one also purchases a headache waiting to occur. So just why is investing in a new computer a lot better than investing in a refurbished one? The list below shows why:

1) A brand new computer assures you that the parts are new and have not been subject to any misuse or wear. Upon purchase, the computer comes with a seal of warranty along with a warranty card saying that all its parts are brand new as well as in good working condition. A refurbished computer, however, doesn’t have this guarantee and may even be an electronic “Frankenstein”. Since a refurbished computer has already logged minutes of use, wear and tear, or even damage can be hidden. When this happens, the computer is more susceptible to bogging down, or even losing information. However, a brand new computer removes any doubt as to its parts and ensures that it’s got the capacity to operate like a new item should, without defects or hidden damage.

2) A brand new computer’s problems may easily be solved. At the point of purchase, a new computer comes with a tech support team system which refurbished computers do not have. Once your computer experiences a glitch, help is simply one telephone call away. And the problem is easily identifiable. Alternatively, a refurbished computer, with all of the different parts and cosmetic changes, apart from being more susceptible to breakdown, is more prone to hidden glitches (for instance viruses or system malfunctions) because of the previous use of the hardware. So each time a refurbished computer has a problem, there is no 24 hour, seven days a week help desk to request assistance. In the end, one has to identify the issue through trial and error, and this not merely increases cost but in addition inflates losses.

3) A whole new computer’s cost may be front loaded, but in the long run it could be much less expensive. The argument that it might be less expensive to purchase a refurbished computer than a new one is misleading. Firstly, though it can be more expensive to buy a new unit, this cost is only a one time expense in the beginning. Costs for maintenance and repair are practically nil since it is a brand new item. And this translates to productivity for that purchaser. However, a refurbished computer might have low front end cost upon purchase, if the computer bogs down, the price of repair is magnified by the loss in productivity. Also, it is much more expensiveto maintain an on-call technician to identify an issue unlike a new one, the help desk can certainly provide solutions.

So just why is a new computer a more cost effective investment? It is because of the warranties as well as the free of charge help desk. Though initially it is more costly to get a brand new computer, the long term benefit far outweighs the cost of purchasing a refurbished computer.

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