Refurbished Vs. New – Which Is Top Quality When Buying A Computer?
Written by Crystal Cruz on September 6th, 2010 in Investment.
Refurbish (v): to brighten or renew – Merriam-Webster’s Online dictionary. Basically, 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 is new. When one purchases a refurbished computer, one also purchases a headache waiting to take place. So just why is investing in a new computer better than buying a refurbished one? The list below shows why:
1) A new computer assures you that the parts are new and have not been subject to any misuse or wear. Upon purchase, the pc has a seal of warranty along with a warranty card saying that all its parts are new as well as in good working condition. A refurbished computer, on the other hand, doesn’t have this guarantee and may even be an electronic “Frankenstein”. Since a refurbished computer has logged minutes of use, wear and tear, or even damage may be hidden. When this happens, the computer is much more susceptible to bogging down, or even losing information. However, a new computer removes any doubt as to its parts and ensures that it has the capacity to work as a new item should, without defects or hidden damage.
2) A new computer’s problems may easily be solved. At the point of purchase, a brand new computer comes with a technical support system which refurbished computers do not have. Once your computer experiences a glitch, help is just one telephone call away. And the problem is easily identifiable. However, a refurbished computer, with all of its different parts and cosmetic changes, aside from being more prone to breakdown, is more prone to hidden glitches (such as viruses or system malfunctions) because of the previous use of the hardware. So when a refurbished computer has a problem, there is no twenty four hour, 7 days a week help-desk to call for assistance. In the end, one has to diagnose the issue through trial and error, and this not just increases cost but also inflates losses.
3) A new computer’s cost might be front loaded, but ultimately it would be less expensive. The argument that it would be more cost effective to buy a refurbished computer than a new one is misleading. Firstly, though it is more costly to buy a brand new unit, this cost is only a one time expense in the beginning. Costs for maintenance and repair are practically nil as it is a new item. This also equals to productivity for that purchaser. However, a refurbished computer may have low front-end cost upon purchase, when the computer bogs down, the cost of repair is magnified by the loss in productivity. Also, it is a lot more expensiveto maintain an on-call technician to diagnose a problem unlike in a new one, the help desk can simply provide solutions.
So why is a new computer a more cost effective investment? It is due to the warranties as well as the totally free help desk. Though initially it is costlier to get a new computer, the long term benefit far outweighs the price of buying a refurbished computer.
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