Should You Buy A Refurbished Computer?

OK, so Santa did not see fit to leave you a shiny new PC way back at last Christmas. How rude. Oh well, ... maybe next year. Now you may be thinking of your options. Should you buy a new computer? Or a refurbished model?

Generally, I do not think buying a used computer is a good idea. Often, you are buying someone else's problems. A refurbished machine is supposed to be restored to like-new condition, but you have no way to tell if this is really so.

Second-hand laptops can be even more problematic. Repair costs are usually higher than with desktop models to begin with, because everything is so packed together in a small space, making it harder to work on. Also, laptops by their nature get moved, bumped and jolted around quite a bit.

Many people buy too much computer for their needs. If money is tight, look for a new budget machine. Watch for sales. Be aware, though, that these low-end computers can be expensive or impossible to upgrade, may have a limited number of ports, etc.

Another possibility to save money is to keep your old monitor and printer, if they still work. Just buy the new computer itself. Are you buying for a student? You might find a juicy discount on a new machine at the campus bookstore, or on the manufacturer's Web site. Look online for savings or free upgrade coupons.

Before going for the refurbished unit, here are a few additional points to keep in mind:

1. Shop around and get an idea of the cost of a new, similar computer first. Then make sure you get a big discount on that used model. Apple sells refurbished laptops on its site here: http://store.apple.com Dell and Hewlett-Packard do the same;

2. Make sure you get a written warranty, and read it carefully BEFORE shelling out your cash;

3. Check to see if you are getting the manual, other documents and especially the installation CD and the original CDs for the other applications on the computer;

4. Insist on using the computer for perhaps an hour, at least, to do different tasks (unless of course you are buying online). Surf the Web, check your email, etc. This will provide you with some assurance that it basically works;

5. Be extra cautious if buying at online auctions. Check the seller's reputation carefully.

Refurbished machines are not necessarily of poor quality. Be patient, be careful, and you can find yourself a good machine that will last for years.

Syd Tash is a noted computer security consultant and author of How to Protect Your Computer Online - A Complete Guide. He has been keeping Internet surfers safe and secure since the last century. Find out how he does it; protect your own computer with five layers of protection right here: => http://MyPCSecuritySite.com

Buy Wii nintendo Games